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Is Greatest American Dog Okaying Bad Behavior?

blogmaster — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 03:32:00 GMT

I first told you about the summers newest reality hit The Greatest American Dog several weeks ago and how the show combined elements of Survivor, Big Brother, and other Reality TV fair in an attempt to pick the best dog among twelve teams consisting of one pet and one owner. While I have developed a love for the show and haven’t missed an episode yet, I apparently did miss a potentially irresponsible act by one of the competitors several weeks ago that seems to have been ignored by CBS executives as well.

During the episode which aired during week four, the teams were given the task of taking a photograph of their dog that best matched one of several emotions. Lazy, happy, etc…the whole thing involved a professional photographer and it was the trainer’s duty to make the animal appear to be expressing the emotion randomly given to them on command. It was during this contest that Teresa took things a little too far in regards to the way she was trying to get her border collie Leroy to show anger. Instead of teaching her dog to make a certain face, Teresa decided to actually try and get Leroy mad at her.

By repeatedly spraying the dog with lemon juice, forcing a dryer hose in its mouth, and using water downed grapefruit juice, Teresa succeeded in doing just that. Leroy became so enraged at the abuse by which his owner was dishing out he bit her leading to Teresa to shout “You #$%@! You just bit me; I would think I deserve a little more from you." After the pup ran to her to receive affection, Teresa turned on the dog again saying “I'm not your mother right now.”

While there was no way for CBS to know the tactics some of Greatest American Dogs contestants would go to win, doesn’t the fact that they chose not to edit out this abuse or in the very least acknowledge it with some type of anti-abuse statement, in a sense give off the impression that what Teresa did to her idea of what America’s greatest dog should be is okay? By ignoring the entire thing isn’t the network shirking on it’s responsibility to the public? At the very least don’t you agree that CBS missed a valuable opportunity to denounce pet violence and promote proper pet training?

Do you have an opinion on this? If so drop us a line and let us hear your thoughts.

Pets Helping New Students Make The Grade

blogmaster — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 01:36:00 GMT

It’s one of the most difficult times in a person’s life. Whether you are the parent who must learn to let go or the young adult who is leaving the nest for the first time, leaving for college is never easy. One of the hardest parts can often be having to leave that beloved pet that was always there to greet you at the door after school everyday and kept your feet warm in bed every night. Now some colleges around the country are discovering that by allowing pets on campus they are in fact helping students cope with the transition to adulthood. By allowing students to bring their pets with them, colleges are providing students with a piece of home that not only helps them feel more comfortable in their new surroundings and ease the effects of homesickness, but also opens them up to meeting and making new friends.

On average those campus’s that allow pets require the animal be less than 40 pounds, over 1-year old, and have been the students pet for at least a year. Some colleges even have specific dorms just for students with pets. Below is a list of several pet friendly schools:

MIT
UCLA
Eckered College
Vassar
CALTEC
Stephens (Missouri)
State University (New York)
University Of Pennsylvania

While taking a pet to college does have several benefits, the student should know that an animal will add to the already overwhelming number of responsibilities they will face during their fours years away from home. “A lot of students think they can get a cute puppy and that's it—it's not a big deal—but there are things that need to be considered. The main thing we see (at the animal hospital) is usually students who haven't considered the financial aspect of having a pet, and students who are completely unaware of the care pets require.” Says DVM Jill Shook of the College Park Animal Hospital in Maryland. In addition to financial concerns, making frequent trips back and forth to the dorms in order to take care of their pets may not be a responsibility new students want to take on.

Have You Heard About The 4-Eared Cat?

blogmaster — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 02:31:00 GMT

I tend to stay away about animal oddities simply because they are often very sad cases in which an animal is born deformed or was harmed by people in some way. Today though I tripped over an article that has been circulating on the web for about a week and I just had to share it with you guys. I’m talking about Yoda, the cat with four ears and if you haven’t seen his pic yet check him out:

Pictures of Yoda have become an internet sensation with more and more people searching out pictures of him everyday. Requests made to owners Ted and Valerie Rock of Chicago have come from Good Morning America, Fox News, The Tyra Banks Show and he’s even been featured in several British tabloids. While the cat’s popularity grows with every passing day, little is known about where he exactly came from. The Rocks just happened to be at a bar in Chicago watching the Bears play when they began to hear some excitement coming from all around concerning a strange looking cat. As it turns out, the bar’s owner who was keeping him around to amuse the customers was keeping Yoda in a cage. According to reports “Some in the bar were passing the then-eight-week old kitten around, making fun of his extra set of ears, mocking his appearance and calling him names such as “Devil Cat” and “Beelzebub.” Not ones to just sit back and let an animal be abuse, Ted and Valerie adopted the Yoda from the bar owner and the rest as they say is history. As the legend of the 4-eared cat grows, so too does the number of people wanting to get a look at it “It's amazing. For the past few days, our phone has just been ringing off the hook.” says Ted. With a one of kind kitten like Yoda around the house one thing is for sure, the mice don’t stand a chance.

Vick's Pits Get New Lease On Life

blogmaster — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 02:07:00 GMT

It was the story that captured the hearts and minds of the entire country in the summer of 2007. At first those that stood the most to lose prayed it would all blow over, while others swore they would get justice once and for all. Today we are talking about the Michael Vick animal cruelty case and just what exactly happened to all those pit bulls that were forced into dog fighting. Believe it or not while Vick himself sits in a jail cell hopeful for an early release, many of the animals he forced into submission are free and living with loving families all across the country.

It was during the Vick trial that a federal judge ordered that all 49 dogs ceased by the government were to be “assessed individually by experts who would look past the breed's stereotype” and the bill for it all would be up to the NFL Superstar to pay himself. As for just what happened to the pit bulls and where they are now a little over a year later, well some may find that hard to believe. According t a recent article in the LA Times only one of the 49 had to be put down, “She wouldn't even let us into the pen. She’d had enough abuse. That was it for her. “, tells Tim Racer. Racer along with Donna Reynolds is the founder of BAD RAP (Bay Area Dog lovers Responsible About Pit Bulls) have personally taken in 13 of the pit bulls and successfully found homes for 10 of them. As for the other 22 which were found to be too aggressive they were sent to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah where hopefully they can be rehabilitated.

With so many success stories coming out of such a tragic event the Vick case serves as not only a testament to the hard work put in by organizations like Bad Rap, but also to the resiliency of the animals themselves who have turned into amazing pets for several families. As Tim puts it “The majority of the Vick dogs did not need rehabilitation; they just needed to be rescued from that negative element”

Sleepy? Careful Those Yawns May Be Contagious

blogmaster — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 02:29:00 GMT

We all know how it starts. You’re sitting there at your desk minding your own business when suddenly you feel the urge to yawn. You don’t feel sleepy. You think back to the night before and distinctly remember going to bed after the 10:00 news. Sure you’ve been working a ton lately, but so does everybody. Then another hits and another and another. In an attempt to shake it off you decide to get up, stretch your legs, and make a couple laps around the office when you notice you’re not the only one trying to stay awake. It seems that everyone around you is also wondering how late they stayed up the night before as they battle their own case of the yawns. Well believe it or not, but yawns are contagious and one new study says that dogs are just as likely to come down with a case of them as people.

According to Atsushi Senju a scientist at London’s famed Birkbeck College in an article written for the British journal Biology Letters, a recent study proves that dogs do pick up on human traits such as yawning and relate them back. As it turns out 72 percent of the 29 dogs that were paired with people who constantly yawned, also began to do the same and exhibit characteristics of being sleepy. Although the idea that yawning can be contagious is nothing new when it comes to humans and chimpanzees, this is the first time contagious yawning has been linking to dogs. What this could mean is that dogs are more empathetic than we have previously given them credit for and possibly pick up on the emotional clues given off by people they are around thus reflecting them back.

Increase In Pet Abandonment Sparks Rabies Concerns

blogmaster — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:46:00 GMT

For months we’ve been telling you that the current economic slowdown combined with the rise in fuel costs have left more and more families with little choice but to abandon their pets. Now after a series of attacks by a rabid cat in Milford, CT many are wondering if this current rise in pet abandonments may also result in a rise in the number of rabies cases.

For two residents at the Sunny Valley Townhouse complex in Milford, CT what they thought was just a cute little tabby looking for some attention turned out to be a wild animal intent on hurting somebody. The first victim was bitten on the leg while standing on her patio, a second was attempting to break up a fight amongst two cats when one bit her. The authorities were called about the cat attacks and as it turned out later in the week it was announced that the animal was indeed rabid. Police immediately began issuing warnings to those families in the area that they should in no way approach any unknown animals in the area. “People should stay away from any of those wild cats. If they've had close contact with them, they should seek immediate medical attention.”

Upon further study it was determined that as many as a dozen infected cats were in the area all presumably living in a wooded portion of the complex. As more and more pets are abandoned every day, incidents such as this one are sure to gain attention as concerns over rabies spreads across the country.

Pet Attack Sparks Rabies Concerns

blogmaster — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:46:00 GMT

New Pet Food Recall Issued

blogmaster — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 01:35:00 GMT

If you live in the areas of Southern California or Las Vegas, you may want to listen up to this latest piece of news. According to reports Mars Petcare US maker of Pedigree Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites is issuing a voluntary recall on all 100 20-pound bags sold to Albertsons chain stores over the past couple of weeks. Per the report some bags may be contaminated with Salmonella poisoning.

The bags were mistakenly shipped last week and contain best buy dates of 7/2009. Apparently a batch of the food was inadvertently sent out after testing positive for Salmonella. A statement from Pedigree states, “Our primary concern is the safety and welfare of our pet owners and their pets. We have already notified Albertsons and are working with them to retrieve any bags still in their stores or distribution centers.”

While no complaints have yet to be filed, the company is telling those who think they may have purchased Pedigree Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites from Albertsons stores in Southern California and Las Vegas to return the product to the store they purchased if from for a complete refund. Potential signs that your animal has been infected by Salmonella include becoming lethargic, frequent or bloody diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and decreased appetite. If you feel your pet has been affected please notify your local vet as soon as possible. Below is a full description of the product being recalled:

“Recalled Pet Food Product: PEDIGREE Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites; Size: 20-pound bags; UPC Code: 23100 14719; Lot Code: 830BFCAT02; Best Buy Date: 07/2009; Best Buy Date Location: Back of bag.”

New Dating Site Is The Cat's Meow

blogmaster — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 01:29:00 GMT

If you’re single and tired of spending so much time and energy on finding your soul mate only to find out he’s allergic to pets, one new website may just be up your alley. Pet-Lover.biz is the only website dedicated to helping pet lovers find true love. The free site gives pet owners a chance to match up with thousands of potential love interests all looking for the same thing. As Derek Collinson the owner of Pet-Lover.biz puts it, “Forget mainstream dating sites if you have a pet dog, cat, horse or for that matter any kind of pet, what most single pet lovers want is someone who can share the joy and responsibilities of looking after their pet. Pet lovers who’ve tried the mainstream dating sites may have met someone who is in tune with them in every respect - except for one vital ingredient - a shared love of pets”

Just how does Pet-Lover match you up with a potential love interest? In order to match people with somebody who shares the same affection for a certain animal whether it be dog, cat, bird, or snake all anyone has to do is register and take three simple tests. Each test helps the agency find the best matches amongst the three categories of Sexual Compatibility, Personality, and Interests. The site claims to be perfectly safe and offers a variety of different ways to make contact with their potential matches. “Members can use video, voice direct, SMS messaging, VOIP, online chat, email and Phone2Phone to contact their potential soul mates so whatever their preference they’ll find a communication method that suits them.”

If you love pets and wish you had a special someone to share your adventures with, Pet-lover.biz could be your chance to find the one you have always been looking for. For more information on just how this new site works check them out here.

New Luxury Pet Home For The Pet Who Has Everything Else

blogmaster — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:29:00 GMT

It's been a wild ride this week as we've covered the best in new pet gadgets, but sadly it must come to an end. If you are just coming in on the tail end of the event, so far have covered a Litter-Robot, the CatCam, the iSeePet360, and the amazing Globe Aquarium. No matter what type of pet you've got we've given you a glimpse at some very cool products that are just moments from hitting your local pet store shelves. Today we feature what just may turn out to be the best of the bunch....the Luxury Pet Home!!

Now it may look like a toaster oven, but believe me if it turns out to be half as cool as it clams then it just may be the best pet house ever made. Remember the days when your pet would sleep in a cardboard box in the laundry room? Growing up it seemed that every other home had it's own dog that would bark at all hours of the night and slept in that tiny little dog shack built by Dad's own two hands. Well if it wasn't obvious before, those days are long gone. The Luxury Pet Home features: custom heat, cooling, and humidity controls, infrared carbon heated walls, a built in deodorizor for those not so fresh pets, a solenoid valve used to help disperse medicine, and antibiotic air. How's that for a new take on the old fashioned dog house?

The Luxury Pet Home has all of the above and since nothing can be made without some type of internet access involved, this new take on the pet house can easily be operated by your PC from anywhere in the world. For the pet that has everything else and still needs more spoiling....Welcome Home.

Changing The Way You Look At Aquariums

blogmaster — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 03:27:00 GMT

Only a couple more days to go till the end of Gadget Week here at Scribbles N Bits and trust me the best is yet to come. Just how can we top an automatic litter box cleaner? What’s cooler than a camera that attaches to your cat’s collar and records every move? Could there be anything more fascinating than an iSeePet360 water/food dish with built in webcam and remote feeding switch? Well if you aren’t into pets of the furry variety and prefer your version of Man’s Best Friend to be more on the wet side of things, this latest gadget may just be up your alley.

Introducing the Globe Aquarium with LED light. More than an aquarium, more than just a globe, the Globe Aquarium is sure to take your pet fish on an adventure of a lifetime. What appears to be an ordinary aquarium by day turns into an amazing piece of art by night. With one flip of a switch the Globe Aquarium projects an image of a beautiful blue globe around the aquarium and gives off the appearance of your fish swimming inside a crystal image of the earth. “Simple and safe, our Globe Aquarium w/ LED Light is the perfect addition to any room in your house. Made with superior glass and aluminum alloy base with modern design, this aquarium will help provide a healthy environment for your fish. The aquarium holds 1/2 gallon of water. Comes with 0.8W LED Light.” At only $49.95 this is one aquarium that will attract more than just your cat’s attention.

Let A Robot Rid You Of Litter Duty

blogmaster — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 02:26:00 GMT

Welcome back to Gadget Week where all week long we are taking a look at some the coolest and most outrageous products that are making their way to pet shelves near you. So far this week we have covered the CatCam (a miniature camera that fits around your cat’s collar) and the iSeePet360 (a remote water/food dish that includes a webcam), today though we have something that just may be more for us pet owners than the pets themselves.

Nobody likes cleaning the litter box. Whether you scoop or just toss the whole thing out once a week, in terms of chores this is one that is at the bottom of everyone’s favorites list. Well on it’s way to a home near you comes the Litter-Robot and I’m sure if you asked anyone with one or more cats it can’t get here soon enough. Now although there are other self cleaning litter boxes on the market, the Litter-Robot is the first of it’s kind that uses something similar to a cement mixer to get the job done. The way it works is there’s a round drum with an entrance for the cat, the cat enters in, takes care of business, then once the cat steps out, the drum begins to spin around thus sifting all the waste into a sealed container where it can be emptied once a week.

This life changing device comes with a price tag of $329, but just may be worth every penny. Recommended for cats weighing anywhere from 5 to 15 pounds, a life of litter box ease can be yours all with just a few clicks and credit card at Litter-Robot.com.

Keeping Up With You Pet With iSeePet360

blogmaster — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 03:23:00 GMT

You’re at the beach, the sun is out, the waves are crashing against the surf in a rhythm that slowly begins to put you to sleep when suddenly the alarm on your cell phone goes off reminding you that several hundreds of miles away it’s time to feed Fido. This can only mean one thing!! It’s Gadget Week here at Scribbles N Bits and today we’re talking about one of the coolest gadgets ever to hit the pet industry the iSeePet360!!!

In case you didn’t know we’re living in the year 2008 and that means nothing is done by hand anymore when it can be hooked up to the internet and done by robots. The days of going to all the trouble of walking to the kitchen, grabbing the scoop, reaching into the bucket of pet food, and feeding an animal by hand are sooooo 1989. No in the year 2008 if your pet needs food than instead the manual labor you used to have to do to get that puppy chow poured, today all you need is a cell phone and the help of the iSeePet360. More than just a food or water dish, this new piece of pet tech also comes with a webcam so that you can check in on your pet anywhere the road takes you.

Working late and forgot to put out enough food for the cat? Sign online and feed it remotely. Got to take an unexpected business trip and don’t have time to set up a pet sitter or drop Fido off at a kennel? Simply use the webcam that comes installed on the iSeePet360 and watch him yourself. You can even set it up to call your pet when it’s time for dinner. The possibilities are endless when it comes all that can be done using this updated version on the traditional food dish. At close to $450 this is one pet gadget that will leave you seeing an empty wallet.

Welcome To Gadget Week! How About A CatCam?

blogmaster — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 01:27:00 GMT

Its gadget week this week at Scribbles N Bits where every day we will feature a brand new gadget designed to entertain, exercise, and enrich the lives of our furry friends. Today we kick things off with a nifty little item that may just change the way you look at your cat. The CatCam is a mini-camera that attaches to the bottom of your cats collar and gives you a glimpse at just what life is like from kitty’s point of view. The CatCam weighs about 2.5 ounces so as to not slow kitty down and operates off of a simple AAA battery.

Although the battery life of the camera and the number of pics it will hold on the standard SD memory card are rather low (25 pics max and pictures are deleted if battery runs out), it does feature an automatic shut off when not in use and can be set to take pics in intervals of 5 seconds to 8 hours. That being said this may just be one of the coolest new items to come out in the way pet gadgets in a while. Image the possibilities which include everything from keeping an eye on the babysitter to simply tracking your pet’s outdoor goings on. Plus the CatCam can also take short videos which definitely add to what is overall a very fun and interesting idea. The CatCam has a starting price of $66 dollars (including SD Card) and for those who are curious a demo of the product can be viewed here.

What To Do With Your Pet During Severe Weather

blogmaster — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 22:31:00 GMT

It’s that time of year where storms can often pop up unexpectedly, do a ton of damage, and then disperse just as quickly as they arrived. With hurricanes showing up in the Gulf of Mexico every few weeks and summer slowing turning into fall, now’s the time to make sure you and your pets are caught off guard by severe weather.

The first thing you need to do occurs long before the very hint of a storm ever arises, MAKE A PLAN. Find a safe room in your house away from any windows, keep a cage or kennel where you know you can reach them at a moment’s notice, and then spread the word to not only those who live with you, but also to family members nearby so they know where to look in case the worst happens. It’s also a good idea to keep some extra water, snacks, batteries, and a leash so you have all you need if the storm really packs a punch. If you don’t already have a battery operated weather radio, stop reading this right now and go get one. They only run about $30 bucks and will save your life by keeping you aware of what’s going on outside.

PUT THAT PLAN INTO ACTION! When the sirens sound and warnings start going off, don’t do like so many and waste time looking for the tornado to come down their street. Immediately gather up everything on your list along with everyone with you and head for shelter. Make yourself a check list, keep a pencil taped to it, and start scratching off items as you make your way for cover.

DON’T JUMP UP THE SECOND IT GETS QUITE OUTSIDE! Just because the thunder has faded and the wind as stopped doesn’t necessarily mean that you are out of danger. Most tornado survivors will tell of how eerily silent it got just before the tornado ripped through their neighborhoods. Once ten or fifteen minutes have passed, then peek outside and survey the area.

By making a plan, putting it into action when the time comes, and then proceeding cautiously afterwards you will not only be protecting you own life, but also those you love great and small during this season of bad weather.

Sunscreen Is Okay For Your Pet

blogmaster — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 21:21:00 GMT

It’s going to be the perfect day. There’s a little breeze in the air, the sun is out, zero chance of rain. The list of things you’ve got planned begin to take shape and they all revolve around the park, a picnic, and of course your puppy. With the temps climbing you remember to grab the sunblock before hitting the road for a fun filled day outside, but what about your pet? If you thought sunscreen is just for people, than take note cause according to Veterinary Partner.com you could be harming your pet by taking them out without protection from the sun’s harmful rays. Very few people realize that pets such as dogs and cats are very susceptible to sunburn since most tend to live in backyards all over the world. However animals that “have light-colored noses and thin, very short, or missing fur are most in need of protective sunscreen, or sunblock.”

By not taking steps to protect you pet from the sun you could not only be inadvertently exposing it to problems such as sunburn and dry skin, but too much exposure could in fact lead to skin cancer like it does with their human counterparts. Before you hit the road for the day’s jog around the block or if you simply have a pet that stays in a fenced in enclosure with nothing more than a lonely doghouse to provide shade, make sure they are safe by giving them a good coating of sunblock. “The sunscreen should be fragrance free, non-staining, and contain UVA and UVB barriers similar to SPF 15 or SPF 30 for humans. (SPF labeling and claims are not permitted in products marketed for use on pets, however, because the FDA has not established a test to determine SPF values in pets.) Some protective ingredients include Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Octyl Salicylate, Homosalate and Benzophenone-3. Octyl Salicylate products should not be used on cats.”

Remember to put some around their nose, ears, groin, and any other areas where the hair is thin. If you’re worried that the sunblock you are using on your own skin may not be the best for your pet, pick up a bottle of baby formulated sunscreen or better yet ask your local pet store for sunscreen especially made with pets in mind. Whatever you do though, the next time you get ready for a day of fun and sun, remember that you’re not the only one who will suffer from the consequences of not having enough protection.

Confessions Of A Former CEO

blogmaster — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 01:45:00 GMT

The last thing you probably expected to find today on a site about pets and the world the revolves around them , is a tale of a CEO who once had it all only to lose it in an instant. However Julie Wainwright isn’t just your average everyday CEO. She was once in fact in charge of one of the most highly visible, highly rated, and highly profitibable pet companies in the world….Pets.com. Now the name may not ring a bell right away, but one look at their sock puppet puppy mascot and no doubt waves of nostalgia will take you back close to ten years ago during what was then the Dot.Com boom. In her own words “Pets.com and its mascot, the Sock Puppet, became the symbol for the dotcom bubble and its subsequent bust. Some have even charged me personally with bringing down the U.S. economy. Pets’ short period of success was fueled by positive press about the company and myself. Pets received even more press when it failed.”

Now Julie is back with a brand new company, a new sense of who she is, and a new look at her old life. In one of the most insightful and honest articles you’ll ever come across, Julie discusses just some of her mistakes and what lead her to a new start with SmartNow.com. From the worst moment of her life (her marriage ended the same week as Pets.com) to the question of “what it felt like to be one of the best-known failures in the U.S” being something that is commonly thrown at her, Julie has made it back to the top with grace and dignity.

According her post on SmartNow.com, her biggest mistakes number in 5.

1. She let others define who she was

2. Her own image was built on a rocky foundation

3. She stopped believing in herself

4. She allowed depression to set in and quit caring about herself

5. She let her head rule her heart.

As for just how she made it through to the light on the other side of the tunnel, Julie says “ I never got back to myself. I became better than I was. Note that it is almost seven years since Pets.com failed. Mystics might say I am entering a new seven-year cycle. I kind of think that's true because I believe there are universal laws and truths. I do know I have been on a journey. I have taken stock of the five big mistakes I have made in my life and fought my way through. I’m sure I’ll make some more big mistakes in the future, but hopefully I won’t make the same ones again.” Do yourself a favor and read what else Julie has to say about how she made it through the worst years of her life. In it you will discover that this is one CEO who makes no apologies and only wants others to learn that mistakes happen, life does change, and with determination a brighter future awaits us all.

No Pets For Sale Signs Going Up All Over Saudi Arabia

blogmaster — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 02:20:00 GMT

The use of a cute pooch to hit on them is nothing new to millions of women who live in the U.S. Most will tell you there are very few places where they haven’t had someone of the opposite sex make a pass at them. However things aren’t the same all over the world and for the men of Saudi Arabia one increasingly popular method of attracting the a ladies attention is being outlawed to the extreme. Instead of just making it illegal to walk your dog or cat in a public place, Saudi officials are banning the sale of pets entirely.

Straight from the general manager of the religious police Othman al-othman comes word that “the rising phenomenon of men using cats and dogs to make passes at women and pester families” is not only "violating proper behavior in public squares and malls”, but will result in those violating the new law being turned over to authorities. “ If a man is caught with a pet, the pet will be immediately confiscated and the man will be forced to sign a document pledging not to repeat the act. If he does, he will be referred to authorities.” The goal of the law is to not only make areas such as parks and markets safer, but to continue to keep the sexes apart as much as possible. The owning of pets has never been a popular one in Islamic countries and for many is just another sign of the increasing influences of the West attempting to destroy their heritage.

Tips On Taming Tabby's Weight Problem

blogmaster — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 02:25:00 GMT

It’s hard not to spoil your cat especially when it comes time to feed it. You cat lovers out there know exactly what I’m talking about. There’s just something about that tiny little squeak they let out mixed with a flurry of brushes across your leg and of course that purr they give the moment they get what they want, that just goes straight to your heart. For me that’s all it takes. 3-4 squeaks and I’m either delivering fresh fish or getting my rod & reel so I can go catch it some. Unfortunately all of this constant giving in often leads to your pet becoming overweight. According to a recent article over at Pet Place you know you have an overweight cat when “the pet has a noticeable paunch, a broader conformation and ribs cannot be seen or felt easily. Fat cats don't have the "tuck" normally seen in front of the hindquarters.”

What do you do if you after years of leaving out huge bowls of food and giving away treats at the drop of a hat, you suddenly realize your pet is obese? Maybe this next series of tips will get you and your pet back on a track:

Moderation Is Key. Instead of dumping a couple of scoops in the bowl on your way out the door every morning, ease off just a bit and only give them enough to make it till you get home. Later when you return give them another scoop, but remember to only include enough to last till breakfast.

If one pet goes on a diet, all pets go on a diet. If you have multiple pets and only make changes to one of their diets than you are sending out signals that the larger cat has somehow done something wrong and is being punished. Instead of sending mixed signals approach both animals on an equal front.

Mix in some moisture. Dry cat foods are very high in calorie content, while can foods contain a lot of liquid with less calories.

I know this one will sound a little obvious, but play with your pet. We all live extraordinarily busy lives and though it may sound like a silly question, when was the last time you got down in the floor with some string and played with your cat? It doesn’t have to be every night, but at least a few times put your cat through the motions. Make him jump, run around the room, and chase after things like he did when he was a kitten.

When we think of diets, weight problems, and the need for exercise typically it’s in terms of our bodies and not our pets. By simply giving smaller portions of food and reminding them of the joys of chasing after a plastic mouse, in no time your cat will be slimmer, trimmer, and better equipped for his transition into the later stages of adulthood.

Vet Reunited With Love Of His Life

blogmaster — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 19:27:00 GMT

I wanted to take a break today from all the talk of financial strain and pet insurance, in hopes of bringing you something that will inspire and dare I say bring a tear to your eye. There are thousands of homeless people all across this country who struggle day in and out to make it to sundown with nothing more than a simple pillow under their heads. Sadly as their numbers continue to grow so do our blindness towards them. It’s often the case that they have nobody to turn to help them out of their situation and when they do find a friend you can bet it’s a friend for life. Which is exactly the case with Bob Mikolask and his dog Kaiser.

Kaiser and Bob have been connected to the hip as they battled the tough streets of Grand Hills, Ca. for over 12 years. Mikolask a Vietnam War vet lives in a motor home he moves around the city from parking lot to parking lot. Fearing that his long time friend had suffered a stroke and with no options in site, Bob woke up last Tuesday and dropped Kaiser off at the Chatoak Pet Medical Center with a simple note that said “Please forgive me. I've nowhere to turn so I ask you to mercifully, gently, and lovingly, please put him to sleep. I'm a homeless, disabled vet and I know when to say goodbye to a friend, and it's time” Little did he know it wouldn’t be the last time he saw his long time buddy.

Finding the note, the nurses at the Medical Center couldn’t ignore this scraggly ole pup and the emotion of its owner that poured from the page with every line. So they did the only thing they knew how to do….theY healed Kaiser the pup and then began a search for the man who loved him the most. It was an ad in a local paper that caught Mikolask’s eye. “I stood there in the street reading the story and bawling my eyes out. I had just spent a week of pain and tears thinking he was gone, and now here he was still alive."

Not a dry eye was to be found as Bob was reunited with Kasier and in addition to promising to pay them back for their life saving efforts, Bod told reporters “He was 7 months old when he walked into the room of a class my ex-wife was teaching at a special-ed school in the Valley. Sixteen years later, he's still with me, but she's gone.”

Car Insurance For Your Pet

blogmaster — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 03:16:00 GMT

The whole topic of pet health insurance is something we’ve touched on a couple of times recently but I since we are talking finances today I wanted to discuss an new idea that is closely related to the subject. In doing today’s prep I came across an article from AOL News that deals with auto insurance and our pets. Here’s a brief bit of what the article has to say about this new idea:

“An insurance company is allowing Utah customers to add pets to their auto policies.If their dog or cat is injured in an auto accident, the medical treatment can be covered for Farmers Insurance Group customers who add pets to their insurance package. The coverage is up to $600 per pet for treatment, and owners would also have financial coverage if the pet dies in an accident.”

While the Farmers Insurance Company mentioned the article is specifically dealing with the branch located in Salt Lake City, UT, you have to know that the idea will probably be coming to an agent near you once it begins to get attention. As I mentioned earlier today the cost of daily living has really become an issue and many are looking for ways to save some of their hard earned dough. For those who travel with their pets whether it be to the dog park, the vet, or cross country, vehicle insurance for their pet may be way to save money and ensure that the funds will be available if ever they are in an accident while driving with their animal. What are your thoughts about this?

Financial Woes Lead To Hard Choices For Pet Owners

blogmaster — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 03:11:00 GMT

I don’t need to be the one to tell you times are tough all over these days what with the continuing issue of rising costs of food and fuel. However I didn’t realize just how bad things were getting until I picked up a copy of my local paper and saw some startling statistics. According to today’s Times Daily and referencing a recent study by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association the average yearly costs of owning a pet my just be more than you think.

Estimated average yearly cost for a dog/cat:

Surgical visits $574/$337

Food: $241/$185

Boarding:$202/$119

Routine vet care: $211/$179

Grooming: $107/$24

Vitamins: $123/$3

Treats: $68/$43

Toys: $45/$29

Average yearly cost: $1,571/$919

If the statistics above are accurate (and I don’t see why they wouldn’t be) two things really stand out; #1 If this is the average cost of owning one pet than image what those of us who have 2-3 must pay per year #2 We really love to pamper our pups don’t we? I mean that’s 58% more we are spending on our dogs and the majority looks to be spent on grooming and health issues. The report also went on to quote one town’s Supervisor of Animal Control as saying that he typically sees as many as 40 or more kittens alone being dropped off everyday. This doesn’t account for the dogs that are also being sent to the shelter. To make matters worse the coordinator the area’s Pets Are Worth Saving foster program told reporters “We’ve seen a huge slowdown in adoptions this year. Adoption days aren’t successful anymore. We do good to adopt one or two per adoption day”

With hopes increasing that the economic situation will turn around, many like those mentioned in this small U.S. town of Florence, Al. are looking around for a return to the days when people could afford to keep their pets and not have to worry over how to feed them.

Is Your Cat A Work Of Art?

blogmaster — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 02:04:00 GMT

It seems there’s no limit to what people will do to spruce up their pets. From various types of shirts, jackets, and even diapers, to antlers at Christmas time, to even getting them hand painted in order to make them appear as a moving work of art. For a mere $15,000 a month you too can own a pet like no other thanks to artists who literally hand paint any image onto your kitty. The process is said to be completely harmless and even disappears after 3 months (typically the amount of time it takes for a cat’s hair to shed and be replaced) Just take a look at some of these amazing designs:

If you love the idea of dying your pet and want to do something along the same lines, but don’t want to fork over the $15 grand there are a few things that you can try at home to get similar results. Of course before doing any of these it’s always best to talk with your vet to make sure they are as safe as they claim to be. You will also want to make sure to cover the animal’s eyes and ears to prevent any type of harmful side effects.

Alternatives to having you pet professional dyed include:
Covering you pet in greed food coloring
Grinding up some non-toxic chalk and covering your pet with it
You could paint you pet with everyone’s favorite J-e-ll-o!

Have you turned your pet into a work of art or dressed them up in a costume for the holiday season? If so send us your picks and we'll show your pet off to the world.

Rachael Ray Shows Some Puppy Love

blogmaster — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 02:00:00 GMT

For those of you who love to cook (count me in) and also enjoy a good dose of daytime T.V. (me not so much) comes the latest announcement from the dynamic diva Rachael Ray that she will soon start her own line of dog and cat foods. Those that watch Ray on a regular basis are no doubt aware that for a few years she’s been mixing in a few pet recipes here and there to go along with the great looking people food she’s most known for. All sales from Rachael Ray’s Nutrish pet food will make their way to her at-risk animal charity called Rachael’s Rescue. As far as where the inspiration for the pet recipes comes from, Rachael has been mixing together some home recipes for her pit bull Isaboo for years. When asked about why she suddenly wanted turn her attention towards the pet food business Rachael told reporters “It seemed like not a lot of extra time to donate to something that could potentially raise millions of dollars for championing these little creatures that can't speak for themselves.”

So the question remains….just how good are Rachael Ray’s pet food recipes? Well here’s your chance to find out. Below is a recipe for Ray’s Power Pooch Smoothies. Mix up a batch, see if your puppy likes it, send us your review, and we’ll share it with the world!

1 (8-ounce) container plain yogurt
1 cup blackberries or raspberries or 5 large, hulled strawberries
1 mango, sliced
1 very ripe banana
1 tablespoon honey
1 cup ice water

Process all ingredients in a blender at high speed until smooth. Pour pooch smoothies into small bowls and freeze. Remove from the freezer, set on the floor and let your pooch lick the treat.

What To Look For In A Vet

blogmaster — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 11:44:00 GMT

When choosing a vet it’s best to put yourself in your pets shoes…or rather paws I guess would be a better way to put it. If you’ve ever moved away to a new city full of new sites, sounds, and sick people you know just how many doctors there are out there. You can’t just pick the first one you find in the yellow pages (well I guess you could, but you might be dissappointed by the results), no the best way to find a good physician and likewise a good veterinatian is to start looking long before your pet actually requires their services. This way you aren’t immediately put in the position of having to trust somebody you just met in a time when you may just need their help the most. So just what should you look for when deciding on a vet that’s best for you and your pet?

Convience may be the most important choice to make. The best vet in the world will do you no good if they are located a world away. Know their hours. If they don’t offer late night help, but you really feel comfortable with them you may want to also look into an additional vet for those middle of the night emergencies. Do you get along with them? I’m not suggesting you ask them out for a night on the town so you can learn all about them, but if you can’t carry on a conversation how are you going to be able to communicate when you are trying to get info about what’s wrong with your pet. Do they insist on having you come in or are they willing to give you help over the phone? Many vets are nice enough and well informed enough to be able to get a sense as to what can be handled with a few drops of tylenol and what requires a visit.

Again I know it may sound silly, but by taking the qualities that led you to your current doctor and applying those same attributes when looking for your pet’s physician there’s little chance you will make a mistake.