All About Pets and Animals

What Every Dog Owner Ought to Know About Holiday Safety

2008-01-10T20:48:00.000-08:00

The Christmas holidays are fast approaching! While you're busy decorating and preparing your home for guests, here are a few important tips to keep your dog safe this season.

The Christmas Tree

Tinsel, small ornaments, and ornament hooks are major choking hazards for dogs. It's best to avoid tinsel altogether and keep small ornaments high on the tree, out of the dog's reach. Also, make sure there are no stray ornament hooks on the floor!

If your family has a real tree (as opposed to an artificial tree), it's best to block off the area around the tree with a screen or gate. Many dogs become ill from drinking tree water and ingesting pine needles. Vacuum the area around the tree regularly.

Holiday Guests

It's exciting to have family and friends over during the holidays—even for your dog! But there are certain precautions you should take when having company over.

Dogs can easily slip out the door when people are continuously going in and out. Make sure your dog is wearing an identification tag with your phone number, even if he is micro-chipped. Not everyone who finds a lost dog knows to have him checked for a micro-chip.

Your guests may adore your dog, but don't let them give your dog any food without asking. Children especially may want to give the dog a treat—hand them a safe treat and supervise while they give it to the dog. Under no circumstances should your dog be given turkey or chicken bones. They are too small and are a serious choking hazard. As an alternative, buy a marrow bone at the grocery store as a special holiday treat.

Why You Shouldn't Give Dogs as Gifts

Bringing a new dog into the family is a wonderful thing, especially if you adopt a dog from a shelter. However, giving a dog as a Christmas gift is never a good idea. Regardless of whether the dog is a puppy or an adult, his first few days in your home should be all about him. The holidays, for most families, are too chaotic and busy for a dog to get used to his new environment, and he may become anxious or frightened.

A great idea for families who want to give their children a dog for Christmas is to gift wrap a dog bone. When the child opens it, tell them it's for the new dog that you'll be getting in a few weeks. Or you can leave a note from Santa explaining that he didn't have enough room on his sleigh and will be coming back with the dog. Animal shelters are flooded every January with dogs who were given as Christmas gifts—so January is a great time to adopt a dog who needs a home.

Lastly, it's always a good idea to have your vet's phone number posted in a visible spot. Your vet's office should have someone answering the phone 24/7.

The most important thing to remember, amidst all the chaos of the holidays, is to always know where your dog is and what he's up to. That way everyone in your home, including the four-legged family members, can have a Merry Christmas.

Copyright (c) 2007 Jennifer Koretsky

Herding Dog Breed. Alert, Busy And Determined. Clear The Way! Here Comes The Herding Dog"

2008-01-08T21:08:00.000-08:00

Herding dog breed. A Short History of Herding Dogs

The herding dog has a long history, tracing as far back as Neolithic times in Europe when early farmers and domesticators in lands that are now Britain needed a more efficient, quicker way to move livestock from one place to another.

These early herding dogs were very large and powerful dogs. They were generally rough with the livestock and could be quite hard to control for their owners, but had an uncanny ability to gather and herd livestock.

By the nineteenth century, it became apparent that a dog that was both more versatile and more gentle with the animals was needed. Farmers could not afford to feed multiple large dogs for their needs.

They required a single dog who could not only nimbly gather and keep an eye on sheep and other livestock, but also hunt game and sniff out sheep that might have been buried in snow.

With a bond so close that required the farmer to trust his dog explicitly, he also needed an animal that was more cooperative and affectionate. It needed to be sensitive to the human voice, a whistle and hand gestures as it would be working alone, far away from the farmer in the field.

For that reason, there were multiple breeds introduced into the early strain of herding dogs.

The Whippet was selected because it was both quiet and quick. Pointers and setters were used to provide a good nose and a keen eye. Eventually, the perfect breed of dog developed –one that had a superior athletic inclination, light and fast movement, unmistakable livestock sense, and a good temperament that easily matched its handler.

The first modern herding dog, the Border Collie was introduced in 1894 in Northumbria, along the English and Scottish Border.

In other countries, the same early ancestors of that first Border Collie began to spread out, taking on work in the growing expanse of the United States West. Cattle herding dogs soon became common and immigrants arrived with other livestock that could live comfortably off of the land, along with their herding dogs.

Today, there are many breeds of herding dogs, all developed in the same manner or from the same breeding as the Border Collie, with the goal of creating a breed that was both quick and quiet, but able to bond well with its owner and seek out livestock easily.

Various types of herding dogs included the German Shepherd, Shetland Sheepdog, Australian Cattle Dog, Bearded Collie, and many more.

Each breed has become well known in the years since those early breeds were developed as a loyal, intelligent and highly trainable breed of dog. Today, most herding dogs are kept as pets by families rather than used in the field to herd sheep.

Because they were bred to connect with their owners so well and be so sociable, herding dogs make ideal pets, both gentle and familiar with children and playful with adults.

Herding dogs have a vast supply of energy and a seemingly human-like intelligence at times, all hallmarks of their careful breeding.

Is Your Dachshund Sick?

2008-01-07T21:06:00.000-08:00

You feel that you have been taking good care of your Dachshund since the day he entered your door. But despite your best efforts to ensure his health, sickness will always find its way to invade your dog's life. Some of these illnesses are common and curable. But these common and curable illnesses can be the way to serious and dangerous disease if left untreated at the right time.

A Dachshund is characterized with long spinal column and short rib cage. That is the reason why they are more prone to health problems related to spine. They are more likely to suffer intervertebral disk disease, one of the most common canine back problems affecting Dachshund dogs. Intervertebral disk disease occurs when the jelly like in the inner layer of the disk protrudes through the fibrous outer layer into the vertebral canal and presses on the spinal cord.

This intervertebral disk disease comes in three types. Type 1, usually appears in dogs three to six years of age. In this type, the rupture in the vertebral canal may increase because the disks of dogs become more like cartilage than fibrous tissue. Type 11 is just a partial protrusion and appears in dogs six to ten years of age. Type 111 is usually rare but causes damage the most. In this type, the disc herniates severally and may actually enter the spinal cord and cause severe damage. This damage may be so severe and incurable and may require euthanasia.

A dachshund suffering from this disease may feel pain in the region of the neck and weakness or paralysis in the limbs. IVDD can be treated through anti inflammatory medication and in surgery in serious cases to relieve the spinal cord. Other treatments include hydrotherapy, massage and herbal homeopathic treatments.

Diabetes is another disease that may affect your Dachshund. Diabetes is common to dogs especially to obese ones. A dachshund with diabetes may want to drink more and urinate more. Other symptoms include weight loss, increased appetite, dehydration and cataract formation. Diabetes left untreated may result to ketotic and additional symptoms such as depression, weakness, vomiting and rapid breathing may be experienced.

Canine diabetes is treated through careful diet and insulin therapy, just like in humans. Foods rich in fiber and carbohydrates are recommended to dogs with diabetes.

Some Dachshunds are found out to have urolithiasis, a disease caused by excessive amount of crystals in the urinary tract. Symptoms of this disease include frequent urination, bloody and dribbling urine, weakness, depression, loss of appetite, vomiting and pain. Contact your veterinarian for recommendations on treatment when your dog has any of these symptoms.

Selective breeding plays an important role in prevention of these diseases. Dogs with any of these diseases should not be included in breeding to prevent dogs from acquiring disease.

Why Selective Breeding Is Important To A Chihuahua

2008-01-07T21:04:00.000-08:00

Being the smallest breed of dog in the world, that is what a Chihuahua is known for. They are very popular even to celebrities. More and more people now are breeding them because of their popularity. However, prospective Chihuahua buyers should make sure that the puppy is not suffering from any health diseases.

Diseases may be acquired through the environment or lifestyle and through inheritance. That is the reason why you should get your Chihuahua from a reputable dog breeder. Chihuahua that has not gone through careful selective breeding may suffer from various health problems because of genetic defects.

One disease that could affect a Chihuahua is patellar luxation. A condition wherein the patella or kneecap buried in the tendon of the muscle of the thigh slips out and back of the tendon. Ignoring this disease may lead to lameness and may cause deformity and disorder in the growth of the affected limb. This disease is not just genetically inherited but can also be acquired through other diseases such as hip dysplasia.

Patellar luxation is not the only disease that affects a Chihuahua. Chihuahuas, as well as other toy breeds are also prone to Hydrocephalus. Aside from having large head, a dog with hydrocephalus usually have patchy skull platelets instead of solid bone. They may also exhibit depression, severe loss of movement coordination, eye abnormalities, seizures and vision problems. They are also lethargic and grow slowly compared to their siblings. This disease is either congenital or acquired through head injuries, tumors, parasitic or other infections.

Another disease that could hinder deteriorate a dog's health is hemophilia, a bleeding disorder characterized by bleeding of the gums, skin in the hind legs, the knee joint, chest or abdomen, forehead and shoulder. Another signs include cough and lameness. Dogs with severe hemophilia usually results in complications in the central nervous system.

Cystinuria is another disease known to affect dog breeds not just Chihuahuas but also Dalmatians, Dachshunds and Basset Hounds. This is a condition wherein crystine crystals are being formed in the urine leading to stone formations in the kidneys and bladder causing irritation and infection. A dog with cystinuria may exhibit blood in the urine, difficulty and pain in urinating which is usually in small frequent amounts. This disease may damage the kidney if left untreated.

While it is normal for some dogs to shed, hair loss or alopecia along with skin lesions may not be normal to Chihuahuas. These two signs may indicate Demodicosis, an infestation of Demodectic mites usually caused by immune system disorders, hypothyroidism, poor nutrition, cancer and exposure to substances that may lead to development of cancer.

These are just few of the diseases that may hinder your dog's normal activities. Selective breeding is important that just for the sole purpose of developing good looking and adorable Chihuahuas but more importantly, to ensure that they are free from genetic defects.

Is Your Vet Still Overvaccinating Your Dog?

2008-01-06T21:02:00.000-08:00

Is your dog being overvaccinated and your vet is not following the new guidelines? How many of you are still getting annual “shots” for your dog? Has your vet told you that there is a “new” protocol for vaccinating your dog? I say “new” loosely because the guidelines have been around for over 5 years now! That is beside the point, lets just go with the new guidelines given out by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) last year in 2006.

First, a bit of information about the vaccination of your dog. The most common other vaccination given to your dog besides rabies is a 5 or a 6 in one shot. Meaning there are 5 or 6 different types of diseases your dog is being vaccinated for in one shot. The common acronym for this vaccine is DHLPP and sometimes added in there is a C. The letters each stand for a different disease – D=Distemper, H=Hepatitis (also known as Adenovirus), L=Leptospirosis, P=Parvo, P=Parainfluenza, and C=Corona.

For the new guidelines lets take the three core vaccines, the three that your dog should be vaccinated for Distemper, Parvo and Hepatitis (Adenovirus). After your dog has been initially vaccinated for these three core diseases usually as a puppy and then a year later with a booster, your dog has prolonged immunity against those diseases. What do I mean by prolonged immunity, well the research shows, your dog is immune for 6 to 9 years! That’s correct! The research done by reputable immunologists, such as Dr. Ronald Schultz, shows that after the initial puppy vaccination and a one year booster many dogs are protected for the majority of their life. WIth this new research AAHA developed some new guidelines. Their suggestion or guidelines, after puppy vaccination and the yearly booster is that the three core vaccines, only need to be boostered every three years. So according to the AAHA guidelines, instead of annual revaccination, your dog really only needs to be revaccinated every three years.

In fact, did you know, annual vaccination of your dog can cause severe diseases. Overvaccination has been linked to cancer, allergies, and other auto-immune diseases such as Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia. More research needs to be done but many of the recent studies show these links exist. In fact, in cats, overvaccination has been proven to cause sarcomas, a very severe cancer.

So now the question becomes, if the vaccines have been shown to produce immunity that lasts quite a bit longer than what was originally thought and annual vaccination might be the cause of certain allergies and other immune system diseases including cancer, then why has my vet not told me about this? Unfortunately, the answer is money, if not money then it is pure ignorance on your vet’s part. Yes ignorance, as in not current in their education or just an unwillingness to change because the old way is the way things have always been done. Money is the other answer and no it is not because veterinarians are greedy, but rather in many veterinary offices, 33% of the annual income comes from vaccinations. This is a large percentage of income that with the new guidelines will be cut. Veterinarians are not prepared for that kind of an income cut. Many could go out of business. Many clinics do not have the management skills or their other services are not priced correctly to compensate for that kind of an income loss. So changing to the new vaccination guidelines although would benefit your animals health can be a tough business decision for the owner of the veterinary clinic. Just remember though you have a responsibility as a pet owner for the health and well being of your pet and less vaccinations IS better for your pet, regardless of the business problems that some clinics may have going to the new guidelines.

So if your veterinarian is still requesting annual vaccinations, ask why. Be informed, make the right decisions, choose to protect the health of your dog by learning what your veterinarian is giving to your dog and why – specifically why, not just because he is the vet and it is to better the health of your dog. Ask questions, be dangerous!

Gundog Breed. Eager, Bold And Loyal. "Welcome The Sporting Gun Dog"

2008-01-05T21:00:00.000-08:00

Gundog Breed. A brief history of the Gun dog

Ever since their domestication, dogs have helped humans hunt, something that they continue to do today. Gundogs, which are also known as bird dogs, are canines that have been bred to assist in the hunt through a variety of different ways.

What might surprise you is the fact that gundogs can often be excellent family pets as well invaluable companions in the field.

The term gundog refers to a wide variety of breeds that all help human hunters take down their prey; typically, gundogs fall into one of two different categories. The first type of gundogs are called pointers or setters. Irish Setters and English Setters are two dog breeds included in this category.

Essentially, the setter will range ahead of the hunter and when the gundog detects game, it will crouch and point out the game to the hunter. The hunter will then flush the game himself. The second type of gundog is called a flushing dog and these dogs stay closer to their masters.

They never go further than the gun's range and when they find game, they will flush it up into the air. When the target has been shot, the dog is given a signal to retrieve the fallen prey. Golden retrievers and cocker spaniels are two dog breeds that fall into this category.

The history of gundogs goes back nearly to the time that they were domesticated.

It seems that it did not take very long before dog breeds started to develop based on what use they were. Terriers, for example, were bred to fight and kill animals that lived in small holes and tight tunnels, while hounds were meant to chase and corner larger game.

Gundogs started being developed when men started using ranged weapons, but with the advent of the gun as a hunting weapon, they were quickly refined and specialize for this type of hunt.

Gun dogs are bred for their energy, their endurance, and their discipline.

Gundogs, despite their ability for an active, long-spanning working life, often make excellent family pets. Retrievers are known to be an extremely trustworthy breed around children, as are Irish Setters. Cocker spaniels and fox terriers are excellent for families with older children, as these breeds are somewhat excitable and incline to nip when started.

As with any dog, make sure that your children are comfortable with and know how to handle them. While gundogs in general do make good companions, remember that you should always look at the dog breeds involved and see which breed will suit your living situation the best.

If you decide to get a gundog as a family pet, remember that these are typically very active breeds. While they don't require an excessive amount of exercise, you should definitely be ready to make a commitment to their health and energy.

Many gundogs are also intensely social and will suffer more from social neglect than they will from lack of exercise. These breeds are known to be destructive and difficult to handle if bored, so make sure that you are ready for the commitment that these breeds represent.

If you keep these factors in mind, you will be able to ensure that you have an excellent companion in a gundog!

Home Remedies for Fleas

2008-01-03T20:56:00.000-08:00

Many people treat their pets as family, and justly so. Well, when one of your children, or another family member has a rash or infection you take care of it as quickly as possible. Pets also deserve the same quick attention to keep them healthy. Instead of a huge vet bill, why not try an herbal remedy when your pet gets attacked by fleas. here are a few home remedy suggestions you can try.

Give An Herb Bath

At the first sign of a flea, bathe your pet with a natural pet shampoo that contains flea-repellent herbs. Pennyroyal or eucalyptus oil boost the bathwater's flea killing power. A badly infested dog needs a bath about every two weeks; a cat, about once a month.

Clean, Clean, and Clean Some More

Especially in the Summer, wash the pets bedding in hot soapy water once a week, and dry it in a hot dryer. Also vacuum your rugs every two to three days. Ninty percent of fleas are found where your pet sleeps.

Use Natural Powders

They generally contain such herbs as rosemary, rue, wormwood, pennyroyal, eucalyptus, or citronella, and sometimes tobacco powder. You can also dust the powder, or just diatomaceous earth, in all the nooks and crannyies you can't reach by vacuuming.

Diatomaceous earth is a great home remedy that removes the fleas waxy coating and dries them out, which kills them. Caution: Wear a dust mask to avoid the easily inhaled, finely ground diatomaceous earth used in swimming pool filteres; and pennyroyal and tobacco powder in large quantities can be toxic to you and your pets.

Attack Internally

Finally, add garlic and brewer's yeast to your pet's diet. Even try rubbing the yeast into your pet's fur. Both ingredients are said to make a flea's taste buds curl in disgust. There's no scientific proof, but some pet owners swear by this home remedy.

Preventitive care goes a long way with pets. Obviously they can't talk to you and let you know that they are beginning to host fleas, so be aware of your pet's behaviour and try these herbal remedies at the first sign.

Talking About Chihuahua Care

2007-12-27T04:39:00.000-08:00

A well-trained and nicely groomed Chihuahua is pleasant to the sight. A Chihuahua taken by his owner for a walk on the leash looks cute especially when dressed in a stylish outfit. The sight will surely grab attention from everyone. The sight will surely grab attention from everyone.

But Chihuahua care is not just about looking cute and adorable in stylish outfits. Caring for your Chihuahua is more on promoting or maintaining not just their physical appearance but more importantly, caring for their health. After all, one may not always look good if there is something wrong with its health. Just what one famous line says, “Beauty inside and out”. That explains why you should take good care of your Chihuahua.

Chihuahuas seems to look like puppies even when they are already two years old. It is during this time that you start teaching them what you want them to know especially on eating habits. They tend to eat twice a day so make sure that the feeding bowl is filled with foods always. Provide plenty of fresh water as well. One important thing to remember about feeding habits is to avoid obesity. Always provide your dog with easy access to foods but do not let them develop the habit of nighttime eating as this can lead to obesity. In choosing their foods, most vets recommend dry foods since chewing dry foods is good in the prevention of tartar and plaque build up.

There are few arguments as to how often these warm weather dogs should be bathed. Actually, giving them a bath at least once a month is enough. Even long-haired Chihuahuas need less grooming. Just make sure to keep their long coat from tangles. Their ears must also be kept free of water to prevent infections. These dogs are the only breed of dog to be born with soft skulls known as moleras. Fortunately, this molera fills with age thus great care is needed especially during the first six months and until the skull is completely formed. Take note also that a molera is different from hydrocephalus.

Since these dogs are the smallest breed, they should be kept away from human feet to avoid crushing these adorable little creatures. And even if they're small, they still need regular exercise to prevent obesity. A short walk is enough to meet their daily exercise requirement, but a short walk around the block may exhaust them.

Either large or small dog craves for their owner's attention and love. Make sure they have plenty of what they crave for.

What Every Dog Owner Ought to Know About Holiday Safety

2007-12-26T04:38:00.000-08:00

Pet Insurance - Pros and Cons

2007-12-26T04:36:00.000-08:00

The deep emotional bond we share with our dogs and cats is one of life’s most simple pleasures.

In return for unconditional love, many pet owners do everything they can to ensure our pets have long, productive, and healthy lives.

Veterinary science has kept up with our willingness to provide life long quality healthcare for our special friends. Treatments and diagnostic procedures once unheard of in the veterinary world are now commonplace: MRIs, radiation therapy, and specialized screenings, to name but a few.

Veterinary Care Inflation and the Effect on Your Wallet

Much like the human health care sector, medical care breakthroughs result in higher costs for vets and pet owners alike. Conservatively, veterinary costs have risen over 60% in the past five years, per the American Kennel Club. Conditions that normally went undiagnosed and untreated are now becoming routine.

While veterinary medical advances extend our pet’s quality of life, the financial impact for pet owners cannot be overlooked.

Recently, our neighbor’s German Shephard “Duke” suffered from hip dysplacia. Duke is now happily on the mend, but not until his owners paid over $2000 in vet bills. Another friend’s cat “Missy” developed a stubborn kidney infection at 18 months which required extensive diagnostic and follow up treatment. Our friend was amazed at Missy’s vets proficiency, but the $1400+ in costs left our friend juggling her finances to pay the vet bills.

What is Pet Insurance, and Does it Make Sense For You?

Pet insurance has been around for decades in Europe, but is relatively uncommon in the United States and Canada. Much like health insurance for us, pet insurance drastically reduces the risk of caring for your pet. Perhaps most importantly, it can eliminate the heart wrenching decision of euthanizing your pet vs. incurring a large financial hardship.

There are several different pet insurance companies. Some policies pay for all types of veterinary care. Others pay only for accidents and illnesses. Some will cover your pet regardless of age, while certain plans have numerous deductibles and restrictions.

Anyone considering pet insurance should ask themselves this question: “Will I devote a reasonable amount of time and money to treat and heal my pet?”. If your answer is “yes”, you’re a good candidate for pet insurance. Sadly, many pet owners are forced to choose between finances and their pet’s health. Worse, other pet owners view their pets as disposable, and simply won’t treat the animal if it becomes too ill.

Typical Plans and Costs

Most pet insurance plans offer coverage for as low as $10 per month. Typically, there is a $50 deductible, and an annual cap of about $10,000. Pet insurance plans for senior pets (normally 8 years and older) will run a bit more, normally $29.95 per month. Costs for cats and dogs generally run the same.

Remember, pet insurance is designed to help you and your pet through significant illnesses and injuries. It’s easy to budget for routine expenses like annual check-ups, shots, flea preventative, etc. Some pet insurance plans offer discounts on routine care, but be prepared to use a contracted (network) veterinarian, similar to a PPO/HMO set up for humans.

Two Real Life Financial Examples

A business associate told us of his two beloved pets, 6 year old cat “Whiskers” and his 12 year old border collie mix “Diamond”. Whiskers was diagnosed with an ongoing respiratory ailment, and just a few months later, Diamond was found to have a malignant tumor and needed immediate treatment. Luckily, he had taken out pet insurance on both pets just weeks before Whiskers’ visit to the vet. With coverage through Instant Pet Insurance, he was paying $9.95/mo. for Whiskers and $29.95/mo. for Diamond, less a small multi-pet discount. All told, Whiskers veterinary bills totaled $1330, and Diamond racked up an $1100 tab.

Fortunately, he was reimbursed $1280 for Whiskers, and $900 for Diamond, accounting for a normal $50 deductible for an adult cat and a $200 senior dog deductible. Therefore, instead of an unplanned $2430 veterinary expense, his total cost was only $250.

Do Your Homework

There are several pet insurers in the marketplace, so do your homework and make sure your policy is right for your pet. If you feel comfortable budgeting for routine annual costs like check-ups, immunizations, flea preventative, etc. there’s no need to pay for routine coverage.

Our experience as pet owners and animal lovers has shown us that most pets will require some form of unexpected medical treatment in their lifetimes. If it’s important to you as a pet owner to be prepared, consider taking out a pet insurance policy. Here are some special factors to look for when taking out a pet insurance policy:

1. Guaranteed Acceptance, no matter the age of your pet.

2. The ability to use the veterinarian of your choosing.

3. Fixed Premiums and Deductibles. Make sure your premium doesn’t increase along with the age of your pet.

4. Unlimited Accident Coverage

5. Comprehensive Coverage of Veterinary Services – some pet insurers exclude common hereditary conditions for certain breeds.

6. State Licensing – Make sure your pet insurer is licensed.

By Laura and Jim Hofman

Dog Infections 101 Secrets

2007-12-24T04:34:00.000-08:00

A dog might suffer a number of diseases during its lifetime. Being attentive of these illnesses and the correct method to care for them can assist you greatly in caring for your dog better. Dogs should be vaccinated and given booster at least once every 6 months to keep them safe.

Your dog can be vaccinated against hepatitis, distemper, rabies, corona, leptospirosis, kennel cough and parvo. He could suffer at some point from domestic or outdoor parasites and there are many different types of infections which a dog owner should know about.

You might consider getting Pet Insurance if you have one or more pets. A small occasional investment and decent care for your pet usually cost much less than risking an infection and having to fork out hundreds of dollars to treat them later.

The Parvo strain of virus is the most common and deadliest dog infection. Symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration and eventually death.

Distemper is another viral infection. Symptoms may include fever, loss of appetite, nasal and eye discharges.

Canine hepatitis also causes comparable symptoms which should be treated with IV fluid therapy, antibiotics and nutritional support(consult your vet first).

Rabies is often spread by the bite of another animal. If your dog has rabies, he will behave oddly. A dog can be vaccinated against Rabies from 4 months of age. There is no cure, vaccination is vital.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial virus infection which attacks the dog’s kidneys and liver. Consuming contaminated liquids or infected urine from another dog can cause Leptospirosis. Fever, yellow gums, depression and blood in the dog’s urine might mean leptospirosis.

Kennel cough, or Bordatella, is a respiratory tract disease. Kennel cough symptoms often include a loud and coarse cough nasal and eye discharges. The treatment is usually anti-inflammatory medication, cough suppressants and antibiotics.

The dog infection Coronavirus or Corona for short is one of the more contagious viral illness. Vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss are possible warning symptoms and should be looked into. Antibiotics and IV fluids are used in the treatment of Corona.

Another highly common dog infection is the infection to it’s ears. Symptoms include pawing at the ears and shaking of the head constantly. You should examine your dog’s ears every month and take him to your local vet for treatment if you spot any signs, as soon as possible. Even common ear infections like blood clots may cause deafness and even lead to extreme blindness if not treated properly.

A few more obvious indications of a dog infection are heat, swelling and sluggishness. Appearing to be in hurt or pain, fretfulness or listlessness are also some more obvious indications.

If the infection is intense, then the dog might have a high temperature and be swollen around the neck, armpits or groin area. If you are unable to get to a vet straight away, you should keep the dog lying down to avoid any physical exertion that might lead to the infection spreading more quickly.

Dogs with infections might reject food and water so it is important to seek your vet’s advice.

Infections can be dangerous anywhere in a dog’s body but especially if they are around the body’s ‘wet’ regions like the nose or mouth as they could spread quicker to the blood stream and eventually to the vital organs. The key thing is to get your dog immunized as soon as he is old enough. Also be sure to follow up with a yearly injected or oral course booster.

Remember, your dog is part of the family and if you find your dog acting a little unusual or a bit ill, call the vet to schedule an appointment immediately. A dog’s body doesn’t work like a human body, dog infections can become severe very quickly and it won’t be a good idea to wait and see if the infection or illness heals itself.

Havanese Dogs Are Fun To Own

2007-12-23T04:32:00.000-08:00

The Havanese dog is a breed that came back from a crisis in the last century to become a popular family pet today. This dog is especially popular in the United States, with some breeders still charging up to $1000 for a pup, despite the fact that the Havanese dog is becoming more readily available today. The reason for their popularity is mainly in their personality: Havanese are fiercely loyal, eternally playful and consistently cute entertainers. This makes them a good choice as a family pet for many families, including those with children and other animals in the house. These dogs are also quite brave, despite their small size, and can make excellent watch dogs. One of the best things about this breed is the fact that they never seem to lose their zest for life that they have as puppies. You will rarely see a grumpy adult Havanese dog, but you are likely to see one that is always ready to play.

Intelligent, submissive and eager to please his master. These characteristics are typical in the Havanese breed, which makes it easy t train most of the time. However, housebreaking a Havanese can be a more challenging process than with other types of breeds. Most breeders and Havanese owners will advise someone purchasing a Havanese puppy to allow plenty of time and patience to complete the housebreaking routine. One reason is because Havanese pups do not always leash train well, meaning they may not complete their "business" when enjoying a walk with you. If you are having a hard time getting your Havanese pup housebroken, one method that has worked with some Havanese owners is the use of a litter box that is designed for use with toy dog breeds. Do not ever use regular cat litter in your dog’s box, since he could eat it and get sick. Instead, you can use a hard, cylindrical paper pellet that will actually attract your dog to his box. It is also important to make sure that you spend plenty of time with your puppy, since a lonely dog can easily turn into a chewing dog.

If you are looking for a new pet for your family, and you are hoping for a dog that will be easy to train and fun to own, a Havanese puppy might be the right choice for you. This dog is submissive by nature, eager to please, and intelligent to boot. He is generally a pup that will always be ready to play with your family, and never lacking in energy. Often Havanese are natural performers and your pup may entertain you frequently with his antics. He will be loyal and loveable, and despite his small size, he may make a fairly effective watchdog. Most Havanese tend to be fearless, and even fierce when the situation calls for it. If you are thinking that a Havanese puppy might be the right dog for you, there are plenty of Havanese breeders available who can offer you one of these pups in good health and with good breeding. To find a breeder, you can search online or ask friends or your veterinarian for recommendations. It is also a wise idea to continue to research the breed, so that you can learn everything possible about the Havanese dog.

Dog Training Tips - From Doggone Naughty To Good Dog

2007-12-22T04:30:00.000-08:00

Everyone has some dog training tips when your dog is "naughty." But few actually give you good advice.

Let's face it, your dog wasn't born knowing how to behave. Different breeds are bred for certain tasks, be it hunting, herding, guarding, killing or chasing. Therefore careful selection of your dog is the first step towards an enjoyable life with your dog.

After that there's work to do, dog house training often being the first task. And if you don't get your dog as a pup you may be buying some behavior problems with it. Excessive barking, jumping up, biting, whining, not listening? You usually can do something about it.

Just as with raising children it pays to know a bit about how to do this, and why. Getting someone in for some basic dog training can set you back anything between $300 and $2,000.

But there ain't no free dog training like your own. After all if you and your dog want to enjoy life together why not work on this together right from the word go.

Oops! Did I say "go". "Sit", and read on...

Yes, dog training is a two-way street. Your dog has to take its cues from you as to what's "good" or "bad". If you are confused or inconsistent you'll both pay for that. So, owner training is important too.

Here are some commensense dog training tips:

* Did you realise it's natural for your dog to obey your command in one setting and not necessarily in another?

* Did you realise that pups are often allowed, even encouraged to jump up, chase and bite trouser cuffs because it's so much fun and later this same behavior is not wanted?

* Use the same command words for the desired behavior every time! You may may believe your dog is an Einstein but even he believed in elegant simplicity.

* Stop your dog from jumping up by putting your open hand in front of its face every time or use your knee if a bigger dog. Then say "sit" and physically sit it down if it does not obey.

* And, of course tire out your dog with exercise. She will reward you with better behavior.

A simple and consistent approach can prevent future problems. It's not rocket science but you do need to know what you're doing. Options are joining dog training classes, getting a dog trainer to come to you, or read dog training books if you don't already know how to train your dog. And, let's face it, you would not be reading these tips if you're confident that you do.

Yes, some dogs drive you crazy but never forget that the reverse can be true too. Among the best of dog training tips is always the advice that dog training is not just for the dog!

Beagles Capable Of Pulling Double Duty

2007-12-21T04:28:00.000-08:00

With their willingness to learn and their eagerness to please, their temperaments make them ideal pets for children and adults. Their lack of aggression makes them well suited to life on the farm or in apartments where small, quiet animals are more welcome than larger animals. It will also develop a loyalty to their owner, other members of its immediate human family and other pets in the household. The nature of the breed is to make friends with their owner as well as other humans and animals living in the same environment.

Finding the perfect pet for a family with small children can be a daunting task, with many small breeds that may be good with kids, the Beagle is about the most well rounded breed for children. Its even temper and eagerness to please their owners, makes the Beagle an ideal animal for indoor company.

Its use as a hunting dog dates back to the 18th century but its aggression with people it recognizes is rare. Strangers entering the home may be greeted by barking or jumping, making it a good watchdog, but typically a simple word from the owner will settle the animal down and quiet the barking. It may still want to sniff the stranger, but that is its way of forming recognition so they will be welcome on subsequent visits. This action should not be confused with aggression, as it will rarely attempt to harm a person.

Often confused with toy dogs, the breed ranges between 13 and 16-inches tall, standing well above the 12-inch standard for many breeds of toys. With a life span of about 14 years, Beagles have few inherited predisposition for illness or other medical problems although they do sometimes suffer from bone degeneration in the joints, steroid injections can usually help them deal adequately with the associated pain. One problem inherited by Beagles is hypothyroidism, giving them the penchant for excessive weight gain. They may also suffer from dwarfism, but this is a rare occurrence.

A beagle’s diet is important, especially for the ones confined to a small space. Animals that are kept indoors and allowed outdoors only to use the bathroom have more of a chance of becoming overweight than those with room to run. They may prefer the opportunity to run wild in a large yard or field, possibly tracing back to their glory days as hunters. Beagles are equally happy in the home romping and playing with children or other small animals.

Their lack of aggression and small stature make them ideal playmates for other small animals and they seem to get along well with felines with similar personalities.

With the beagle hot on the trail, hunters on horseback could hang back and leisurely follow the sounds of the hunting beagles as they chased the rabbits into dense thickets and brush. Eventually, the dog would emerge carrying its quarry making it desired for hunters who enjoyed the art of hunt more than the taking of the game. As hunters began to shift their focus onto faster hunts, the beagles’ use waned in place of faster hunting dogs.

Why You Should Buy Havanese Dogs

2007-12-20T04:27:00.000-08:00

f a person is considering buying a new dog they should consider what type of dog they are buying carefully. There is nothing worse than having an adorable puppy grow into a dog that is inappropriate for the family, especially when a little research would have let them know that before they bought it. Havanese dogs are a great small dog breed for any person seeking a new pet. In fact, Havanese are a great all around type of dog, no matter the size they are compared to. They have a good temperament, are hypoallergenic, and are a very healthy breed. When buying dogs like the Havanese (or any other breed really) a person should make sure that the breed is right for him or her and the person’s family. Adopting or buying dog is a long commitment that should not be taken lightly. Remember, when a person is getting a dog, they are getting a new family member. If a person is thinking about getting a new dog for his or her family, that person may wish to consider the small dog breed called the Havanese dog. This is a dog that originates from breeding in Cuba, and has been made somewhat more famous due to celebrities such as Barbara Walters owning them. This is a very varied type of dog. Havanese dogs may come in many different fur types and colors. In fact, very few colors and fur types and combinations will exclude them from being shown.

The Havanese dog breed is considered a very intelligent and a highly-trainable one. Dog lovers will find many reasons to buy this particular breed. First of all, this dog does not shed so it is considered hypoallergenic, which is great for anyone who is allergic to dogs. Second of all, Havanese dogs have a great temperament and even enjoys playing with children. Third of all, Havanese dogs are considered to be very healthy and most are healthier than the average small breed dog according to reliable Havanese information.

Havanese dogs are considered (like Bichons and poodles) to be a shed-free dog. This means that they shed very little, although they must be brushed. This type of dog is considered to be hypoallergenic because although they have dander, they do not shed it off easily. This adds one bit of work for a pet owner, because that means they must be brushed frequently to avoid damage to their skin and fur.

The temperament of Havanese dogs is another great reason to have this type of dog. Unlike most small dogs, Havanese dogs do not get nervous around people and children. Most children (even fairly young ones) are able to play with this dog easily.

A huge concern among pet owners, particularly among purebred dog owners, is the general health of the dog and the dog breed. Unlike many dog breeds, particularly smaller dog breeds, the Havanese is relatively hardy. The breed overall, is a very healthy one.

Choosing a dog for one's family can be a very difficult choice. There are many factors a person should consider, many of which they do not even think about until they adopted a dog they are not ready for. One type of dog that is generally a safe choice for most families is the Havanese dog breed. Havanese Dogs are a beautiful small dog breed that fit well into most households and bring joy along with them.

Havanese Dogs fit in with most families so well because of the fact that they do not shed, which makes them hypoallergenic, they are a very good temperament, and even get along with small children. They are a very healthy breed, especially compared to other small dog breeds. In addition to these factors, Havanese Dogs are very trainable smart dogs. Overall, they will fit into almost every household and are an excellent breed of dog.

Do No Bark Collars Work?

2007-12-19T04:25:00.000-08:00

Yes. Some work better than others. Some control the barking through corrections, these are bark control collars.

Other dog bark collars actually modify the dog’s behavior and teach the dog not to bark.These behavior modification collars are preferred, as the goal for all dog owners is to teach their dog not to bark and to be able to remove the dog no bark collar.

Some no bark collars are rechargeable, some are waterproof, and many others. Most of the quality no bark collars offered today are offered by either Innotek or PetSafe. The Innotek no bark collars are advanced correction and behavior modification collars. The PetSafe no bark collars are correction only.

Besides no bark collars, some companies still offer bark collars which use ultrasound to control the dogs barking. Collars or devices which emit ultrasound are not specific.

Although the ultrasound will be heard by the barking dog, so will it be heard by all other pets in the home, which were not barking! Ultrasound collars are still available, but many retailers are fazing them out because the no bark collars are much more effective. For many retailers the ultrasonic collars, because of their relative poor success rate have resulted in a high return rate. So the retailers are no longer offering ultrasonic collars.

There are also citronella collars available. This does sound strange, but they are available. Basically a reservoir filled with citronella is placed on the front of the collar. When the dog barks a citronella spray is projected through a tube toward the dogs nose and face. The harsh chemical serves as a correction when a dog barks. These collars can break, are not small for little dogs, and require repeated refills of citronella.

Do they work, probably not. But even if they did work, it is a complicated system spraying a noxious chemical which some say does not hurt a dog. If you can believe that and can bring yourself to spray citronella into your face, then consider using it for your dog.

How It Works

The no bark collar is a training device that helps reduce nuisance barking. There are two key features of the no bark collar.

The first is a mild warning sensation triggered by your dog’s first bark. The second feature occurs when your dog barks again within 30 seconds of the first bark. This will be the first and lowest level of correction. There are a total of 6 levels of correction that are triggered by your dog’s successive barks.

Each successive bark will increase the correction level if the bark is within 30 seconds of the previous bark. If your dog does not bark for at least 30 seconds the receiver resets itself. Along with each correction there will be an audible beep.

As a built-in safety feature, when your dog barks 15 times or more in a 50 second period the collar will automatically shut off for a period of 3 minutes.

Applying Dressage To Hunt Seat: Two Instructors Find Value

2007-12-18T04:23:00.000-08:00

Twenty years ago, when a western reining trainer admitted that he took dressage lessons to improve his horse’s reining, his fellow cowboys thought he had lost his mind. Some 20 years later finds several hunt seat instructors actively using aspects of dressage in their training.

Christy, a hunt seat equitation instructor, commented that if you look at the old hunt seat equitation videos and photos of students instructed by George Morris and others, the horses are in a training level dressage frame.

Celine, a hunt seat/balanced seat instructor, noted that dressage is the basis of all riding. “Classical dressage has its roots in cavalry riding in war; whereas hunt seat has its origins in long cross country rides across fields on a hunt. Hunt seat was adapted for the show ring,” she said. She noted that combining the elements of hunt seat and dressage brings balanced seat.

Christy uses the rider-based training that she received from her dressage instructor for her hunt seat students.

"At their first lesson, I put them right on the longe line and take away stirrups and reins immediately," she described. "I spend a lot of time helping them build independent hand, seat and leg in exercises on the longe line before I have them ride on the rail."

Christy has found that by doing so, the riders have feel and balance more quickly. "Beginner issues like steering just seem to fall right into place even though they've spent their first several lessons on the longe line."

Celine also likes to apply dressage concepts early on in hunt seat education. “I start right away with rhythm and balance, teaching the student how to sit with balance. Then I address how the horse moves and how to find the horse’s natural rhythm. When you apply the concepts of dressage early on, students have greater ‘feel’ for their horses.”

She noted that in everyday hunt seat, she sees horses just going around the ring in the gaits, walk, then trot, and then canter. "The riders barely understand how to circle correctly. In many cases, you see trainers just focusing on jumping. Flatwork just becomes a term meaning getting the horse warmed up enough to jump," she said. “When I go to some of the large local hunt shows, I’m amazed that riders aren’t balancing their horses, or even riding them correctly through a turn.” She described watching strung out ponies in a hunter class. “They got over their courses by the grace of God.”

“I was aghast by the strung out, unbalanced approaches to jumps and the rushing and diving over each fence,” she said. She finds that dressage helps her riders gain a balanced and rhythmic approach to fences.

She described one hunt seat student she had recently met who had no concept of getting the horse to work back to front or flexion though she had her own horse and was taking lessons with her instructor for five years.

“When she sat in on other lessons her friends were having with other instructors, she felt she was missing out on a world of education with her horse. She said her lessons just revolved around her instructor who called out ‘heals down,’ ‘shoulders back,’ ‘posting trot,’ etc.”

Celine uses dressage to focus on the points of the ring by keeping the horse correctly between and in front of the rider’s leg. “How do you get your horse from point A to point B, not A to D?” she explained.

“When you focus on riding every stride, as in dressage, your hunter or equitation horse will always know what you want,” she explained. “You can circle, go straight, change gait, jump and make it look so easy, balanced and fluid. Riding hunt seat this way gives the horse the correct muscle development, impulsion and work ethic."

Alternative Therapies For The Horse

2007-12-17T04:21:00.000-08:00

It is not uncommon that trends in veterinary medicine to mirror trends in human medicine. To that end, it's not surprising that alternative medicine is being used more frequently on sick and injured horses. Instead of prescribing the latest wonder drug, some veterinarians are instead prescribing a little hands-on healing in the hopes that less invasive techniques will bring about a return to health. In this article, we'll examine two alternative healing practices that are becoming very popular in the horse world: chiropractic and massage.

CHIROPRACTIC

Equine chiropractors traditionally deal with "subluxations" of the vertebrae. Defined, subluxations are incomplete or partial dislocations of the vertebrae; in other words, vertebrae that are out of alignment. These misalignments can not only cause the horse pain in his back, but can also cause soft tissue damage around the area of the spine. And since the spine is said to be the conduit to the central nervous system, subluxations may possibly change neurological function of the spinal cord, the spinal nerve roots, and portions of the nervous system. The equine chiropractor adjusts these subluxations—in plain speaking he put the spine back into alignment—and returns the horse to optimal health.

What conditions does chiropractic treat?

Chiropractic is used to treat back and neck pain in the horse, as well as nerve damage. It can also be used to diagnose and come up with a treatment plan for certain lamenesses. Some people even use chiropractic during prepurchase exams to determine whether the horse has any neck or back injuries.

How is chiropractic administered, and how much does it cost?

Like a vet exam, the chiropractic exam begins with a case history. Posture analysis, gait analysis, static palpation, motion palpation, orthopedic exam, and a neurological exam follow. Based upon his or her findings, the vertebra is then manipulated during the adjustment by the practitioner.

How much does a chiropractic treatment cost?

A chiropractic exam and adjustment cost approximately $50-75, depending upon the extent of the problem and the length of the session.

Are there any risks?

Some believe that in the wrong hands, chiropractic can cause back and neck pain, lameness problems, and spinal cord injury. The equine chiropractor must have strong knowledge of equine vertebral anatomy, including vertebral joint relationships, the relationship of neural components, muscle attachments and nerve supply, and normal and abnormal range of motion.

MASSAGE

During a massage, the soft tissues of the body are worked by experienced hands and fingers. As any human who has been the recipient of one knows, massage stimulates acupuncture points and relieves tension. Myofascial release therapy, in which the fascia that connect and surround the muscles are manipulated, and myotherapy, a method of relaxing muscle spasm, improving circulation, and alleviating pain, are two of the most common types of equine massage therapy.

What conditions does massage treat?

Massage can really help sore muscles and tendons. It is frequently used to repair damaged muscle fiber, such as contracted tendons, ligament and muscle strains, chronic inflammatory conditions, peripheral nerve injuries, scar tissue, and chronic edema.

How is massage administered?

The soft tissues of the body are worked by the hands and fingers. The strokes are generally performed in the direction in which blood flows, which is toward the heart.

How much does equine massage cost?

A massage costs between $25 and $75, depending upon its duration.

What are the risks?

If your horse has acute inflammatory processes of the skin, soft tissue, bone and joints, fractures, sprains, circulatory disorders, presence or danger of hemorrhage, lyphangitis, and tumors, then massage should be avoided.

Foods Toxic To Dogs

2007-12-16T04:19:00.000-08:00

Some human foods that should not be consumed by dogs include:

Intoxicating Beverages, Such as Beer, Wine, Spirits:

Consumption of these beverages may lead to coma or possibly death. Symptoms of alcoholic beverage overdose may include, excitement, depression, sadness, stumbling, cardiac arrest, and death.

Chocolate, Tea, Coffee, Coffee Beans:

Their content of caffeine, theophylline, or theobromine affects the nervous system and the heart. Chocolate overdose symptoms may include, excessive panting, hyperactivity, vomiting, diarrhea, irregular heartbeat, and death.

Grapes, Raisins:

Kidney failure may be caused by an unknown toxin which is present in grapes in raisins. Syptoms of poisening from grapes or raisins may include abdominal pain, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, and a halt in the production of urine. Ingestion by your pet may be fatal and even cause death.

Macadamia Nuts:

An unknown toxin present in macadamia nuts may experience undesired affects of the nervous and digestive systems. They may also have negative affects on muscles. Symptoms may include muscle tremors, stiffness, weakness, sadness, gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, and lethargy.

Garlic, Onions:

Onions and Garlic contain contain substances which damage red blood cells. Symptoms include, anemia, lethargy, weakness, discolored urine, diarrhea, and vomiting. Processed, fresh, cooked, and powdered forms should be avoided.

Mushrooms:

Different mushrooms contain different toxins which affect several body systems. Symptoms may include, abdominal pain, shock, kidney failure, liver failure, hallucinations, diarrhea, vomiting, coma, and even death.

Prevention is the key, keeping these foods away from your pet to avoid possible toxic poisoning and overdose. If your dog is suspected of eating any of these foods get them to a veterinarian immediately.

Cats Dogs And Human Food - How Can Our Food Harm Our Pets?

2007-12-15T04:17:00.000-08:00

We’re all guilty of it – giving in to those big begging eyes pleading at us for a scrap from the table during dinner. Fido knows just how to get you to concede, and most of us justify that a little won’t hurt, or we don’t even think of the potential danger at all. But the truth is that human food can be harmful to your pet, and in some cases, can be fatal. It’s important to know how certain foods can be unsafe so that you can avoid them for the sake of your animal.

Here is how a few of some of the most common “human foods” become harmful for pets:

Chocolate and other foods containing caffeine

Caffeine is one of the greatest culprits because it contains an alkaloid called theobromine. Theobromine acts as a cardiac stimulant and a diuretic, which in turn can cause a heart attack or other heart and nervous system problems in animals.

Onions and Garlic

Onions and garlic are potentially harmful due to the fact that both contain thiosulphate, which can damage red blood cells and cause anemia in cats and dogs. Of the two, onions are the most toxic, as consumption of simply one serving by your pet could result in anemia.

Milk

Milk can harm your pet due to the fact that many dogs and cats tend to be lactose intolerant. The consumption of milk and milk products by a lactose intolerant pet creates a breeding ground for bacteria, causing vomiting and diarrhea.

Bones

Bones, although commonly known as a great treat for your dog, are potentially very dangerous for pets. Once eaten, bones can splinter and get stuck in the intestines, causing damage or fatality. In most splinter cases, the bones must be removed surgically.

Other Foods

Other human foods to avoid when feeding your pet are: macadamia nuts, potato peelings and green-looking potatoes, rhubarb leaves, moldy/spoiled foods, alcohol, yeast dough, tomato leaves and stems, broccoli, and raisins or grapes.

Some human foods potentially cause only mild digestive upsets, while others can be fatal. Regardless of the level of danger, the best choice for your pet is to keep him from any potentially harmful foods in order to ensure his health and safety.

During the holiday season, veterinary clinics have noticed a rising in the number of pets that they treat for food-related illnesses. The increase in pet illness is due to the fact that animals are partaking in human foods during mealtime. Although not well known by the public, the consumption of human food to pets is potentially harmful to animals, and in some instances, can be fatal.

The rise in food-related illnesses by pets is a clear indication that the dangers of human food consumption by animals are not understood by the masses.

So, the next time your pet looks up at you with those pleading eyes, show him you care by doing what is truly best for him and feeding him only products meant for pet consumption. In the end, both you and your pet will be glad that you did.

Why Puggles Make Great Pets

2007-12-14T04:15:00.000-08:00

Definitely you have already heard of Puggles! Maybe for once you consider bringing home one for a pet, but still in doubt whether this breed is ideal for you and your family.

Doubt no more because Puggles, classified as lap dogs, have playful temperament. They are usually referred to as designer dogs. Meaning they are hybrid dogs, a crossbreed between a pug and a beagle. These dogs possess the mild manner quality of a pug mixed with more energetic quality of a beagle. They love to play and are affectionate and get along well with children. So more likely you will never have to worry about your children’s safety every time they are near your dog. You do not have to worry that your dog might growl or even grab your child’s finger or legs.

Another one reason why you should bring home a Puggle is that they are low maintenance dogs. You don’t need to trouble yourself with grooming as what other breed of dogs need. Bathing, nail clipping, tooth brushing and ear cleaning can be done occasionally, not everyday.

Whether you’re living in a house with a wide yard or just in one of the apartments somewhere in the city, having a Puggle as a pet is not a problem to worry. They will surely enjoy doing their daily exercise taking a walk around your yard or running from room to room in your apartment as they need a bit more exercise compared to some traditional apartment dogs.

Playful animals as they are, they enjoy playing fetch, chewing on bones and other stuff. They will even play hide-and-seek and race around with you.

And just like other dog breeds, Puggles has the capacity to learn what you are teaching them. Housetraining them is not difficult provided you are patient, consistent and is well-informed on the proper methods needed to housetrain a dog. But make sure to be gentle with the training because they are sensitive to the tone of your voice. It is always important not to yell and punish them physically even if mistake has been done.

I think the above stated characteristics are enough for you to go and get your own Puggle dog. Let go of the qualms and let your self experience how it feels to own an exceptional nice pet. These sociable, intelligent and affectionate lap dogs will surely make great pets. Not just mere pets, but friends and lifetime companions.

Rescue Chihuahua: Is It For You?

2007-12-13T04:14:00.000-08:00

When we say Chihuahua rescue, the first thing that comes into our minds is a pitiful dog abandoned because of sickness, behavior problem or old age. But that is not the truth. Dogs in a rescue are not necessarily problem dogs. Some of them were abandoned because of their owner's incapability to provide proper care, either they can not afford to procure the dog's needs or they find the breed unfit to their way of living.

Nevertheless, there are more reasons why a rescue Chihuahua can still be a good household pet. Most dogs in the rescue are older dogs and are already housebroken so you will never have to go through ardurous task of housebreaking. They will less likely commit accidents and the possibility of you cleaning their dirt and urine stain is minimal.

When they are turned over to the rescue, the rescue staff gathers as much information as possible from the previous owner. This information includes the temperament, whether its good with children or other dogs and animals, how much it barks and other important information. Most of them are already vaccinated so you will never have to worry about the vaccination procedure and the possible side effects of it to the dog.

Some people think that rescue dogs are turned over to ther rescue because they are sick or are already very old and dying. Another wrong connotation I must say! Why? Dogs in the rescue are older but not very old. They usually range from one to three years of age.

The rescue don't just give out Chihuahuas just like giving out of freebies or food samples in the grocery stores. Before anyone can get a rescue, they make sure you can provide proper care for the Chihuahua. Dogs at a rescue may sometimes need medical services, so they will make sure that you are aware of that and you are willing to provide care the best way you can.

While it is true that the rescue shelter requires adoption fee, it is not true however that they are doing it for a profit. The fee is to cover up the expenses spent for the dog while in the shelter. Whether it's spent for the basic needs or the medical needs, the rescue shelter has the right to require adoption fee so that they can continue helping more abandoned dogs. They earn their money to take care of their animals through donations and adoption fees.

Getting a rescue dog will not only benefit you. Rescue shelters can accommodate limited number of dogs. By getting a dog from the rescue, you help the community by freeing one space for another dog that needs the care of the rescue shelter. Thus you help minimize the number of stray dogs in the community. You will also save the dog from possible death on the pound.

Pet Care During The Winter Months

2007-12-12T04:11:00.000-08:00

The time has changed and the leaves have fallen off the trees. It is the time of year to get ready for winter. In a large part of the country snow will be on ground soon and the temperatures will get below freezing. Your dog and cat know it is winter. They get their winter coat and react to the shorter daylight the same as us. Some dog owners leave their pet out for exteneded periods of time thinking that animals are adapted to living outdoors. That is not the case with domesticated pets. They are used to living indoors just as much as we are. I would like to give you a few pointers for winter pet care.

1. A good idea for winter care for your pet would be to take them to your veternarian before winter really sets in. Make sure your pet is in good health. Older dogs, like older humans, tend to get sick more easily in the winter. If your pet have arthritis or diabetes or heart problems make sure he gets a good check up.

2. If it is cold outside make sure you watch your dog and cat carefully. A good idea would be to stay outside with them. When you get cold then chances are your dog is cold too. That would be a good sign to take him back inside.

3. Watch for hazards in the winter. If you live near ponds or lakes keep your dog away from the ice. You never know what the thickness of the ice is. If your dog would happen to fall in he would have a hard time getting out. I would say if are near water stay outside with him. If you live near woods or a forest the snow can cover up hazards the dog can't see, like sticks or rocks or trash.

4. Keep an eye out for antifreeze. Dogs like the smell and will drink it if they find some. Antifree is extremely poisonous and will kill your dog. If you need to change your antifreeze make sure your clean up any spills. Dogs that don't have access to clean unfrozen water will drink whatever they can find. This includes gutter water which can contain antifreeze, oil, or other household hazardous waste.

5. If your dog needs to be kept outdoors for any length of time make sure they have a nice warm shelter. A nice sturdy doghouse would be a good idea. Make sure they have a nice warm dog bed and fresh unfrozen water. That is very important. Your dog can get dehydrated in the winter. Please check his water bowl before going off to work or shopping. If you put a wrapped hot water bottle in their shelter it will keep it cozy.

6.Rock salt and deicer can very hard on your dogs pads. When they come in the house make sure that you wipe off their pads with a warm cloth. This is important as they may try and lick their paws and they may become very ill.

7. Be particularly gentle with older or elderly dogs. Their arthritis can get worse in the winter. Stay close with them when they are going down stairs as they may slip and fall. They may be a bit more awkward and uneasy when they are outside. In the winter they may need help getting up on their favorite couch or chair. Make sure they have a nice cozy bed. A heated dog bed would be a great idea. You may have trouble getting them out of bed in the morning.

8.If you have a cat that goes outside be careful with starting your vehicle as cats like to curl up in warm engines. A good thing to do is bang on the hood of your vehicle so any cats hidden there will jump out. If a cat is on your engine and you start it, the cat will be injured or killed.

9.A good idea if you can get your dog to let you do this put a warm little sweater on them. Little paws booties will also help keep their little paws warm.

Take good care of your pet thiis winter and they will be there to keep you company for many winters to come.

Choosing a Western Saddle to Fit the Rider

2007-12-10T03:57:00.000-08:00

Western Saddle Seat Size - - What Size Do I Need?

What size of Western saddle will you need? Well, that depends. Not the answer you wanted to hear, right?
Let's explain why this seemingly simple question isn't so straightforward.

First, start with some general rules of thumb for proper western saddle fit for the rider:

* Keep in mind that Western saddle seat size refers to rider fit and has nothing to do with how the saddle fits the horse
* There should be approximately four inches between the front of your body and the fork (or swells).
* Your rump should rest on the base of the cantle, but should not be pressed against the back of the cantle.
* Some prefer a tighter fit, some looser. In general, its better to have a saddle a smidge too big than a smidge too small.

All western saddles come with a stated seat size.

Seat size simply measures the distance from the base of the horn to the top middle of the cantle. This distance is then expressed as a size in half-inch increments from 12 inches to 17 inches. The following will give you a very general idea of saddle sizes:

* Youth: 12"-13"
* Small Adult: 14"
* Average Adult: 15"
* Large Adult: 16"
* Extra Large Adult: 17"

With a published saddle seat size, choosing the right size saddle would seem to be pretty straightforward. In reality seat size is just one factor determining the fit of a western saddle. Sit in the same size of a variety of different styles and brands of saddles and you'll find significant differences in the fit. You might find that a 14 1/2" Circle Y barrel racing saddle fits well but that you need a 15" in a Dale Martin ranch saddle.

Why the differences?

There are a number of measurements in addition to seat size that impact the fit of a western saddle. These include:

* Seat Depth: Some saddles have deep seats designed to keep you in place during extreme activity and others have shallower seats to allow for more movement.
* Seat Slope: The seat angles from the handhold back towards the cantle and the slope can range from relatively flat to steep.
* Cantle Slope: The cantle can be high and straight or have a slope that is mild or steep.
* Cantle Dish: The cantle can be flat or have a recess or dish in the front side that can be an inch or more in depth.
* Fork Style: There are a wide range of fork styles that can range from wide swells to slick fork saddles with barely any swell.
* Fork Angle: Forks can be straight or angle away from the rider.

Each of these features can affect the way a saddle fits a rider. Unfortunately, none of these other measurements are standardized or published in a saddle's measurements. So, when shopping for a Western saddle, the only way to truly determine fit is to sit in each saddle. Only then will you know if the saddle is a good fit for you.

Western Saddle Guide

Whether you're just starting out with horses or a seasoned horseman, the Western Saddle Guide provides all the information you need to understand, choose, and care for the saddle that's right for you.

Color Breeding

2007-12-09T03:55:00.000-08:00

ne grey gene (dad doesnt have one at all, if he did he too would be grey due to its dominance).

If mum is homozygous for grey, then she HAS to pass one down to foal and the foal WILL end up grey itself. If the mare is only heterozygous for grey (eg has only one grey gene)then there is a 50/50 chance of her passing it down to the foal or not and if it is then it will override all the other colour p[ossibilities in the end anyway. Eg the foal may start out a bay paint, but will be 'going grey'. Or it may be a solid chestnut to begin with, but will be 'going grey' (therefore classified as grey).

I had a grey arab welsh cross mare. I bred her to pinto that was homozygous for his markings but I didn't know if he was homozygous for his black colouring. My grey mare may have been chestnut before she went white (but I didn't know for sure, I only know that she had to have at least one chestnut gene because her previous foal had been born chestnut, so the foal got chestnut genes from both her sire and dam).

Anyway not knowing the mares history, the possibilities for the foal were

A Cat's Amazing Whiskers

2007-12-08T03:53:00.000-08:00

Have you ever experienced the tickle from one of your cat’s whiskers as they brush against your face or neck? I have been tickled on many occasions from each of my cat’s as they rub up against me for attention or curling up on my shoulder to go to sleep. I never really thought about what they use their whiskers for, all I really knew is that they tickled me a lot.

Besides giving each cat their own unique distinction, whiskers are a functional part of a cat. Whiskers are a sensory system for cats made up of nerve endings that allow them to feel the lightest touch, even an air current.

Cats are known to be farsighted and they will use their whiskers to move around in those areas that they are not able to see clearly. Even cats that are blind or their vision is deteriorating will rely more on their whiskers to move about. Cats that are born with their vision impaired will often have longer whiskers to help them move around. If a cat were to lose their whiskers, they would more than likely bump into things.

You also can tell the mood of your cat from their whiskers. When your cat is calm you will see that their whiskers will be pushed forward. And if your cat is stressed out or is being defensive their whiskers will be pulled closer to their face.

If you have more than one cat, have you noticed that the whiskers of each of them are not the same? The length of a cat’s whiskers even varies between breeds. I currently have three cats and have noticed that each one has whiskers that are different in length to the others. I have also noticed that Tiggy my oldest cat has a few whiskers that are not all white, but have some black in them. While the other two, Leena and Cooper, have whiskers that are all white.

Most of us see the cat’s whiskers above their eyes and around their mouth, also called muzzle. But did you know that they also have whiskers on the back of their front legs or what would be considered their wrists. I never knew that, but after I read about it, I looked on mine and they have them. They are not as long as the whiskers on their face, but they have them.

Whiskers do get very long and some people are tempted to trim them thinking that they should be to help the cat. But whiskers are never to be trimmed, cut, or any other method of removing them. The cats do have nerve endings in the whiskers and they will feel the trimming and it will not be pleasant for them. Have you ever touched one of the whiskers on your cat’s face? Did you notice them blink or twitch? It is because their whiskers are very sensitive and should be treated with care.

Whiskers can be ticklish when applied to us in the right fashion, and they are a very distinctive characteristic on a cat. We should always leave a cat’s whiskers alone, as they are their guide to moving around.

Top Reasons For Dog Crate Training

2007-12-07T03:51:00.000-08:00

Often, many pet owners misunderstand the concept and the importance of crate training. Believing that crating an animal for any length of time is a cruel thing to do. Infact, dog crate training is actually one of the best things you can do for your pet. It gives him his own personal place that no one else invades. If you think about it, you probably like having your own space, so why wouldn’t your dog?

One thing you need to remember about your pet. He is going to want to be with you so it’s best to either make sure his crate is where he can see and hear other people. If it is going to be an extra load on you to move his cage all over the house purchase an extra cage. This will allow him to have one in the bedroom and one in another part of the house.

Another advantage to crate training your dog is that if you have somewhere he can be confined when you are away, you do not have to worry about coming home and finding a mess. Older dogs normally will hold their bathroom trips for a longer period of time. However, puppies will pretty much go anywhere until they get accustomed to going out or using puppy pads.

Dog crate training can be great if you are planning on taking your pet with you somewhere that you have to fly. This can keep them from being so nervous if they are already accustomed to being in a crate. Traveling in their own crate that is familiar to them will not be as upsetting either. Taking along a favorite blanket or toy helps too.

A great advantage to crate training if you have a larger breed dog such as a boxer is that he can go to his crate when company is visiting. Some people are afraid of big dogs and it makes them uncomfortable to know the dog can get to them. If he is in a crate, it will ease the feelings of your guest and your dog.

Some dogs are just natural born chew machines. They will chew anything and everything they can get their teeth into. So crate training is a blessing if you have a job or places you need to go. Then you won’t have to come home to all of your belongings chewed to pieces.

Just take into consideration when you do put your dog in his crate that you don’t make him stay inside for hours upon hours. He needs to be able to get out and stretch his legs and go to the bathroom. The crates can be comfortable but your dog needs to be able to get out and stroll around to keep his muscles from getting cramped.

We love our dogs, once you've successfully house-trained your dog, remember to reward your dog for using his crate in the correct manner! You have just taken the long rewarding road towards creating a positive bond with your dog!

Choosing Clothes for Horseback Riding

2007-12-05T03:50:00.000-08:00

Find Safe Comfortable Garments for the Sport of Horseback Riding

Dressing to go horseback riding need not be expensive and appropriate garments are not difficult to find.

Helmet

Although you will be able to find comfortable and suitable clothing in the consignment section of your local tack shop your helmet is an item you don’t want to skimp on. This is the one piece of equipment you will want to buy brand new. A used helmet might have unseen damage to the inner linings, and won’t provide the necessary protection.

There are lots of different name brands of helmets that come in many different styles and colors. Helmets come in English and Western styles as well as sporty sleek models for hacking and schooling. Choose a helmet that is attractive, comfortable and suitable for the type of riding you are doing.

ASTM stands for American Society for Testing and Materials. The SEI certification means that the helmet has been constructed specifically for horse sports, and the materials and design have been tested and inspected. Helmets designed for other sports such as cycling, skiing, or rock climbing may not provide adequate protection for a fall from a horse.

Take your time making sure the helmet fits. Nod and shake your head. The helmet should remain level and secure. The harness should be adjustable and comfortable.

Plan to spend over $50 on a good quality helmet, and if you whole family rides, each member will need a helmet that fits them properly.

Shirts, Jackets and Vests

Unless you plan to go to a horse show you probably have a suitable shirt, such as a T-shirt or sweatshirt to wear. If you are going out on trail you might consider wearing bright colors for visibility. Many riders like to wear vests when the weather gets cooler. Your arms and shoulders are less restricted in a vest and they lend themselves to layering for warmth.

There are winter coats designed for riding if you live in an area where you have to cope with frigid temperatures. These coats are roomy through the shoulders, and have gussets so they spread over the saddle rather than tucking under your seat. Many have attractive reflective tape and patches for greater visibility out on trail. Add a warm helmet cover and winter riding gloves to make winter riding more comfortable.

If you do plan to show your horse, you’ll need appropriate garments. Head out to some horse shows to see what others are wearing. Often you will need very specific types of clothing. Show clothing can be custom made, bought off of the rack, home sewn, or purchased used in the consignment section of tack shops.

Pants

For everyday riding, an inexpensive pair of two-way stretch tights maybe the most comfortable. Riding tights can be bought with leather knee and seat patches. These provide a bit more grip and will be made of a more durable fabric than tights not designed for horseback riding. Winter riding pants are made of fleece material for warmth.

Many people ride in jeans or sweat pants. What you will want to avoid in any case is pants that twist, wrinkle or bunch along the inside of your legs and especially knees. Some people like the extra grip and in the winter the wind breaking ability of leather riding chaps. Half chaps that cover from knee to foot provide grip and protection for the lower leg. You’ll need jodphurs, breeches or other traditional riding pants if you are headed for the show ring.

Plan to pay $50 or more for a pair of riding tights and more for jodhpurs or breeches. You can save money by sewing them yourself or buying lightly used ones.

Boots

Next to a helmet, your boots may be your most important purchase. Although there is no official testing or standards for boots you will want to find a pair with about a 1 to 1 ½ inch heel and low tread. The tread on many hiking and winter boots is too heavy and in case of a fall may jam in the stirrup. There are many different styles of boots so choose whatever is comfortable, affordable and suitable for the riding your do.

Your boots don’t have to be ‘riding boots’ as long as the sole and heel are appropriate. Inexpensive leather and running shoe style riding boots start at about $100. The consignment corner at tack shops are usually burgeoning with lightly used leather and rubber riding boots great for riders on a budget. Sometimes it is possible to find suitable boots at thrift stores or there may be something in the back of your closet that would work.

Under Garments

If you are involved in other sports you may already have suitable under garments. Tack shops often carry a selection of bras and underwear designed for riding. Shops that specialize in jogging and running gear are also places to look for comfortable under garments.

Equine Nutrition

2007-12-04T03:48:00.000-08:00

Grass is a natural source of nutrition for a horse

Equine nutrition refers to the feeding of horses, ponies, mules, donkeys and other equids. Correct and balanced nutrition is a critical component of proper horse care.

Horses are herbivores, a type of non-ruminant known as a "hind-gut fermentor." What this means is that horses have only one stomach, similar to humans. However, unlike humans, they also have to digest plant fiber that comes from grass and hay. Therefore, unlike ruminants, who digest fiber in plant matter by use of a multichambered stomach, horses use bacterial fermentation that occurs in the organ known as the cecum (or caecum) to break down cellulose.

In practical terms, horses prefer to eat small amounts of food steadily throughout the day, as they do in nature when grazing on pasture. Although this is not always possible with modern stabling practices and human schedules that favor feeding horses twice a day, it is important to remember the underlying biology of the animal when determining what to feed, how often, and in what quantities.

The digestive system of the horse is somewhat delicate. Because horses are unable to regurgitate food, except from the esophagus, if they overeat or eat something poisonous, vomiting is not an option. They are also very susceptible to colic, which is a leading cause of death in horses. Therefore, horses require clean, high-quality feed, provided at regular intervals, and may become ill if subjected to abrupt changes in their diets.

Horses are also sensitive to molds and toxins. For this reason, they must never be fed contaminated fermentable materials such as lawn clippings. Fermented silage, sometimes called "haylage" is fed to horses in some places, but it is risky

Paso Fino Horses

2007-12-03T03:46:00.000-08:00

The Paso Fino Horse is one of the world's most exciting breeds giving the smoothest ride in the world and attracting many riders.

The gait of the Paso Fino Horses is unique and for those of us with bad backs, bad knees, and many other problems caused by years of riding, the Paso is the ideal choice. The movement actually eases stiffness in joints and promotes good circulation. There are many things you can do with the Paso Fino Horses. They are such good weight carriers and have superb stamina, so endurance is one of their talents.

The questions that we are most often asked is why are the Paso Finos so special, and why do you love them so much? The Paso Finos are very versatile, and easy to train. The thing with the Paso Fino Horses is that they touch your heart and once they have done this there's no getting them out of your system.

They are so loving and generous. They are small horses with big hearts and big personalities. In the years I have been around these horses I have never met one with any malicious tendencies. But you can never truly understand the magic of the Paso Fino Horse until you have ridden one. The Paso Fino Horse has an isochronal, 4-beat gait, which is totally natural. This is what makes these horses so amazing. As it is a natural gait, nothing of the movement is forced, making it a smoother ride.

Not only do the Paso Finos gait, but they can also trot and canter, which shows the versatility of the breed. The Paso Fino Horse is very balanced in gait and can carry an amazing amount of weight.

The three speeds of the Paso Fino Gait are:

Slow - FINO - the movement of the legs is very fast, however the steps are short and rapid. Therefore there seems to be a great deal of energy and activity, but a very slow forward movement.

Moderate - PASO CORTO - With the speed of a working trot, this gait covers the ground more as the steps are larger than the Fino movement.

Fast - PASO LARGO - This is the speed of canter. It is the fastest speed of the gait. There is further extension of the steps, which means they can cover more ground.

The Paso Fina Horse developed in Spain through the Barb, which produced the Spanish Jennet, and the Andulasian. Columbus transported the horses to what is now the Dominican Republic. Subsequent explorers took them to Puerto Rico, Colombia, Cuba, Panama and Mexico.

These stunning horses range in size from 13.2 hh to 15.2 hh and are in every colour.

The Paso temperament is kind and gentle. Once experienced, these horses become seriously addictive. We were the first to introduce these horses to Britain and we are the foremost stud with an internationally approved breeding programme.

We hope that after meeting them you'll love them as much as we do.

Spitz. Determined, Focused And Hardy. The Spitz Type Dog Is No Fool!

2007-12-01T03:44:00.000-08:00

Spitz. History of the Spitz-type dog breed

With their thick fluffy coats and sharp intelligent faces, it is easy to see how Spitzes have become an enduring companion to humans. There are many dog breeds that can be categorized as Spitz-type dogs, but most of them share some basic characteristics.

It is not known where Spitzes originally came from, but many of the modern dog breeds which can be classified as Spitz today trace their origins back to the Arctic.

The Spitz-type dog goes back almost 5000 years, and there is some belief that the breed has been regularly bred with wolves to promote a greater degree of intelligence and hardiness.

The Alaskan Malemute, for example, is thought to be descended from the crossing of the Spitz with wolves.

For most of history, the Spitz has been used as a hunting dog, a herding dog or a guard dog, and as such has proven itself quite valuable to human in a number of different ways. Around 1000 BC, Spitze migrated south from their native Arctic climes, and they were soon common in Europe, North America and Asia. They even traveled as far south as northern Africa.

>From there, you can see the development of the variety of dog breeds that are considered Spitz-type dogs. One highly recognizable dog breed is the German Spitz and the Finnish Spitz. They have the characteristic thick coat, triangular ears and lupine face of the breed. In Japan, one can see that the Akito Inu is a direct descendant of the Arctic Spitz breed. The Pomeranian

If you enjoy the looks of the Spitz dog breeds, there is probably a breed out there that will suit you and match this phenotype.

For instance, the Pomeranian that was mentioned above is a well-known favorite of apartment dwellers and those who live a lone. While these dogs can be a little high strung and difficult around children, they make excellent pets for single people with a limited amount of space.

If you are interested in a small dog that is good with children, think about Corgi, which can be quite good with small children, provided the children are taught how to handle dogs. For a more energetic family, consider the Siberian Husky, which has a gentle temperament and, due to its strong pack instinct, thrives on both social and physical activity.

Make sure that you will be able to tend to the various needs of the breed that you choose. Corgis, for example, do require a certain amount of grooming, and because they are a little fractious, will benefit from thorough handling as puppies.

Huskies require a certain amount of fish oil in their diets to keep their coat and nails looking their best while.

Chows, another Spitz breed, need an owner who understands their stubborn, independent nature as well as one who will watch them for the breed's elbow dysplasia.

If you are interested in a Spitz, do some research to find out what breed of Spitz is best for you and your situation.

By getting to know the breeds involved, you can figure out which type of Spitz will be ideal for you and your home.

Sighthounds. Fast, Agile And Powerful. "Step Aside For The Sight Hound Breed Of Dog!"

2007-11-30T03:42:00.000-08:00

SightHounds: The History of the Sight Hound

Historically, sight hounds have often been called gaze hounds. In history, they have been working dogs and people were not so much worried about their appearance.

Once the 19th century approached, people began to breed them for appearance making them look like they do now; long, lean canines that almost look royal in appearance. They have even been known to be the favorite pet of many an Egyptian Pharaoh or world king or emperor.

Sight hounds are a breed of dog deeply rooted in history

Not only have they been used for a long time but many dogs could probably trace their roots back to the very first dogs that were domesticated for human use. That is quite a family tree.

Many people have heard of the notorious scent hound dog breed type. They are notorious for their great smellers, and for good reason; they have the ability to smell through thick grass, over a river, and for a very long time at that. A sight hound is the vision-worthy equivalent of a scent hound. While scent hounds are a type of hound with great noses, sight hounds are notorious for their impeccable sight.

SightHound Appearance

While scent hounds are notoriously short and stocky, sight hounds are just the opposite: long, elegant necks and legs, thin bodies, and strong muscles. They have high stamina levels for chasing and hunting and they must be exercised a lot, so they tend to be rather tight and muscular in appearance.

Sight Hounds in Your Community

While sight hounds are great hunting dogs, they make excellent family dogs as well as do other herding dog breeds. They are great for families with kids who can provide them with a great deal of exercise and attention. If you have ever seen a Whippet, a Borzoi, or a Saluki, you have laid eyes on a sight hound without even knowing it!

Note how deep a Sighthounds chests is and how long their necks are; these features and traits allow them to see far and over things that other dogs may not be able to. This is what they are famous for, after all!

While sight hounds make awesome family dogs, they are great for sport as well. Outside of regular hunting sport, they are good in dog shows and races as well due to their speed and agility. If you see dog shows on Animal Planet or the Discovery channel or you have ever been able to attend one, chances are that a great majority of the dogs who were the strongest competitors were sighthounds!

These days they can be great guard dogs, family dogs, and even herding dogs as well and are infamous for having good temperaments as well. Whether you are a man or woman of sport, a pet lover, or just looking for a great breed of dog for your family it is hard to argue that sight hound dog breed types are excellent choices for any person.

Sighthound. Lovely, dependable, friendly and protective—what more could you ask for in a dog?

Scenthounds. Alert, Anxious And Determined. You Can't Hide From The Scent Hounds!

2007-11-28T03:40:00.000-08:00

ScentHounds: The History of the Scent Hound

If you thought you had a sensitive nose, you should probably think again!

Scent hounds are a certain classification of canine dogs that are notorious for their sensitive noses; in fact, they are said to have the most sensitive nose in the canine family.

Scent hounds are normally hound dogs, but it wasn't until about halfway through the 15th century that people even tried to put hound dogs into classifications; they were just used for hunting.

These days there are sight hounds, scent hounds, and other types of classifications for hound dogs out there, noting these dogs for their special talents and contributions to the world.

The Look of a ScentHound

As far as looks go, scent hounds are not difficult to spot. In most cases, they fit the normal scent hound bill, with lengthy and droopy ears. Some people think that this may be what helps them to pick up on scents so easily, but that theory has yet to be proven. Scent hounds tend to have shorter legs than other dog breeds, and deep barking voices.

Scent hounds do not have to have long legs to run fast; they specialize in smells and following their prey into small areas to find them during hunting historically speaking, so by nature scent hounds are built this way. This makes them great for people who want smaller breeds of dogs for their homes and families.

Scent Hounds Have Many Uses

Scent hounds are often used by the police and other law enforcement agencies to follow the trail of a person they are seeking; the reason why scent hounds are used over other breeds of dogs is that they have the smelling endurance that other types of dogs lack, possessing the ability to follow a scent over the roughest of terrains, through thick brush, and even over running water.

Why Scenthounds Are So Popular

Scent hounds are a popular dog breed these days for more than one reason. Not only are their sensitive noses immensely popular, but they are very loyal and make great family dogs and companion dogs for people who live alone. This dog breed has a reputation for being able to follow commands well and they are more easily trained than some other dog breed types, making them great hunting dogs and for people who don't wish to have a five year old puppy on their hands someday.

Scent hounds are great dogs for just about everyone. They may not be the largest dogs out there, but their loyalty and friendliness is not easily surpassed by other breeds of dog out there.

Is a scent hound the right breed of dog for you and your life?

Only time will tell for you but the fact remains that scent hounds are family dogs by nature, and working dogs by creed. People who have scent hounds call them great pets, and if you have them from the time they are puppies you could truly have a friend for life in a scenthound.

Dog Training Tips

2007-11-26T03:38:00.000-08:00

One of the reasons for doing an obedience dog training is to establish a foundation between you and your dog. Many dog owners believe that dog training is only for those who wish to compete in obedience trials, but they are wrong.

Dog training requires only a simple persistence to be successful and can be useful to help fulfill some of your dog's basic and social interaction needs. Here are some dog training tips to guide you along the way.

1. Firm and Friendly

When you give commands such as come, you want to use a happy and friendly voice. While on the other hand, you'll want a lower firmer voice for sit, down, and stay commands.

2. Praise & Reward

Always praise your dog or offer him when he learned new commands.

3. Be Patient

Patience is the key when you are training your dog. Focus on a single command a session and end it on a positive note. Dog's are incredibly smart and will pick up all your commands. After each session, spend some time playing. He will associate the time with you as positive and anticipate his training again.

4. Use the correct dog training equipments

If you have a well-behaved dog, a lead and a buckle will do on your obedience training. However, if your dog is uncontrollable with undesirable and distracting behaviors, you should use a training collar. You don't have to worry about the size as most electronic training collar now clearly indicate what size of dog the training collar is intended for.

5. No Distractions

Try to pick a quiet area when training your dog to do tricks or commands. A secluded back yard works best if you want to train your dog for basic obedience commands only.

6. Reprimand

Do not hit your dog! Any time your dog has undesirable behavior, be firm and friendly. Remember, dogs are man's best friend.

7. Be Positive

It is necessary to use positive reinforcement when training your dog by offering some dog treats and a lot of praise if he performs correctly and learn new commands.

8. Play with your dog

Dogs which are trained are a pleasure to take for a walk and a pleasure to own.

How To Ease Separation Anxiety Between You And Your Pup: Three Easy Steps

2007-11-24T03:36:00.000-08:00

Let's face it; as much as our dogs depend on us, we depend on them just as much. Love, companionship, and playtime are all things that people depend on their dogs for just as much as their dogs may depend on them. For this reason, leaving your dog home alone for extended periods of time while at work or on vacation can cause a variety of problems for both pet and pet owner.

Separation anxiety is real, and it affects our four-legged friends too. The difference between you and your pet in this instance is that while you know that the two of you will soon be reunited, your pet probably doesn't have this type of forethought and so it is important for humans to be as accommodating to their canine companion as possible in this aspect.

Pets experience separation anxiety on a variety of levels. Some pets are perfectly fine with being away from their owners for extended lengths of time whereas other pets may fall into a deep depression. Even worse, there are those mischievous little guys out there who seek to tear up everything in your home that is important to you, perhaps in the hope that you will rethink leaving them alone ever again.

If any of the above sound like the situation between you and your pet, it is time for you to take action. Even though it may not seem like it at times, there is a way for you and your pet to handle separation in a much easier, more constructive way. Here are a few tips on how to help your pet handle his down-time.

Provide Them With a Comfort Zone

Providing your pet with a comfort zone is one of the most successful ways of making sure that they are as comfortable as possible when you can't be together. For every pet, this comfort zone is different; for some, it may require the confinement of a kennel or dog crate in order to be successful. Either way, having a place for them to call their own might help in the long run.

Make their area as comfortable as possible, even if it is a form of caging them to protect your home. Old pillows, a dog bed, their favorite toy, maybe even a tee shirt or something that smells of your scent—these are all things that could help them to feel a bit more at ease in their area, and perhaps make the hours until you come home that much more bearable.

Keep Them Entertained

A bored pet is a bad pet, plain and simple. If they don't have something of their own to keep them busy, chances are that they will find something of yours to accommodate their interest. Stop a disaster in its tracks by making sure that your pet has plenty of their own toys and items to entertain them while you are gone. This doesn't mean using old shoes and things of yours as it just confuses the difference between what items are okay for them to have and what are not okay for them to have.

Keeping your pet entertains not only gives them something to keep them away from your things, but something to help them pass the time while they don't have you around to keep them company.

Consider Getting Them a Pal

While this may be a big one for some households, sometimes the only surefire way to cure separation anxiety between you and your pet is to give them a playmate. If your household cannot handle two pets, by all means do not get into something that your family may potentially be unable to handle. However, if you do have the means this is a great way to get rid of otherwise seemingly incurable separation anxiety on the part of your pet.

These are just a few ways to help keep the time your pet spends alone as pain-free as possible, and you are encouraged to think of some of your own. Now that you know your pet will survive without you, now it is just a matter of handling yourself when the two of you are apart.

The Physical Basis of the Beauty in Peacock Feathers Revealed

2007-11-22T03:34:00.000-08:00

Nobody looking at the patterns in peacock feathers can avoid being amazed at their beauty. One of the latest pieces of research by scientists has revealed that there is an astonishing design at the basis of these patterns.

Chinese scientists have discovered a delicate mechanism of tiny hairs in peacock feathers filtering and reflecting different wavelengths of light. According to a study performed by Fudan University physicist Jian Zi and colleagues, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the feathers' bright colors are produced not by pigments, but by tiny, two-dimensional crystal-like structures. (1)

Zi and his colleagues used powerful electron microscopes to reveal the basis of the colors in the feathers. They examined the barbules of the male green peacock (Pavo rnuticus), in other words the even smaller micro hairs that come off of barbs emerging from the central stem of the feather. Under the microscope, they encountered the lattice design in the black-and-white picture to the right. This consisted of rods made of melanin, a protein, bound together with keratin, another protein. The researchers observed that these two-dimensional structures, each with a width hundreds of times thinner than a human hair, were arranged one behind the other on the micro hairs. Using additional optical examinations and calculations, the scientists examined the spaces between the crystals and their effects. As a result, it was revealed that the dimensions and shapes of these spaces in the lattice led to light being reflected at slightly different angles and thus to a variation in color.

"The male peacock tail contains spectacular beauty because of the brilliant, iridescent, diversified, colorful eye patterns," said Zi, who continued, "when I watched the eye pattern against the sunshine, I was amazed by the stunning beauty of the feathers." (2) Zi stated that until their study, the exact physical mechanism producing the colors in peacock feathers had not been known, and that although the mechanisms they had revealed were simple, they were absolutely ingenious.

Obviously, there is a very specially regulated design in peacock feather patterns. The tiny lattices and spaces between them are of the greatest importance in this design. The adjustment between the spaces is particularly striking. Were these not so arranged as to reflect light at slightly different angles to one another, then this variation in color would not take place.

The greater part of the color in the peacock feather is based upon structural coloration. There is no pigment in those parts of the feather that exhibit structural coloration, and colors reminiscent of those on the surface of a soap bubble are able to emerge. The color of human hair comes from pigment, and no matter how much care a person may take of his or her hair, it is never as shiny and beautiful as a peacock feather.

It has also been stated that this intelligent design in the peacock can be a source of inspiration in industrial design. Andrew Parker, a zoologist and coloration expert at the University of Oxford, who interpreted Zi's findings says that discovering so-called photonic crystals in peacock feathers could allow scientists to adapt the structures for industrial and commercial applications. These crystals could be used to channel light in telecommunications equipment, or to create new tiny computer chips. (3)

It is clear that the peacock has marvelous patterns and a special design, and that thanks to the imitation of this mechanism, maybe in the near future, we shall see objects and accessories covered in the brightest of coatings. Yet how did such a gorgeous, intelligent and inspirational design first emerge? Could the peacock know that the colors in its feathers depended on crystals and the spaces between them? Could the feather have itself brought the feathers on its body into being and later have decided to add a coloring mechanism to them? Could it then have arranged that mechanism in such a way as to produce those stunning designs? Of course, not.

For example, if we were to encounter marvelous patterns made out of colored stones as we walked beside the edge of a river, and if we also saw that there were eye-like designs arranged like a fan, then we would think that these had been laid out in a conscious manner, and not that they had appeared by chance. It would be evident that these patterns, reflecting an artistic perspective and addressing human aesthetic tastes, had been made by an artist. The same thing applies to peacock feathers. In the same way that pictures and designs reveal the existence of the artists who produced them, the patterns in the peacock feather reveal the existence of the Creator Who made them. There can be no doubt but that it is God Who brought together and arranged the crystal-like structures in the peacock feather and produced such marvelous patterns from them. God reveals His flawless creation in a verse from the Qur'an:

He is God - the Creator, the Maker, the Giver of Form. To Him belong the Most Beautiful Names. Everything in the heavens and Earth glorifies Him. He is the Almighty, the All-Wise. (Qur'an, 59:24)

1- Jian Zi et al, "Coloration strategies in peacock feathers", PNAS 2003;100 12576-12578; http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/abstract/100/22/12576?etoc
2- John Pickrell , "Physics Plucks Secret of Peacock Feather Colors", 17 Ekim 2003, http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/10/1016_031017_peacockcolors.html
3- Ibid.

The Miracle of Talking Birds

2007-11-21T03:32:00.000-08:00

Each and every species on Earth has been created with miraculous characteristics and wondrous skills. Even in one single living species, we can find abundant proof of God’s magnificent creation. According to one verse of the Qur’an:

There is no creature crawling on the Earth or flying creature, flying on its wings, who are not communities just like yourselves—We have not omitted anything from the Book—then they will be gathered to their Lord. (Qur’an, 6:38)

This verse draws our attention to birds which, of all living creatures, are worthy of special consideration and observation. There are approximately ten thousand different species of birds, many of which have miraculous characteristics. Wherever we live, we may encounter many of these creatures and can admire the different aspects of each variety. They exhibit countless examples of the evidence of creation, through their aesthetic appearance, their perfect flying mechanisms, their expertise in migration, their nest-making skills and their self-sacrificing behavior.

Meanwhile, other species of birds are created with a special aptitude for forming social groups. Many varieties live together as a community, warn one another of danger, work collectively to find food and shelter, and make various sacrifices to help each other out in any number of ways. (For detailed information, see Harun Yahya, Devotion Among Animals: Revealing the Work of God). As God pointed out in the Qur’an, these creatures are capable of establishing their own form of communication and performing in cooperative ways the duties inspired in them by God.

Some birds distinguish themselves by their superior intelligence and special talents. These particular species are defined as birds that can imitate sounds, include the parrots, songbirds, and hummingbirds. Many of us have heard about, seen on television or even personally witnessed these birds’ ability to talk. However, we may not have considered what a great miracle it is that these creatures can mimic in this way, or to the perfection of the way in which God has created them.

These creatures’ being hatched with their ability to talk or imitate sounds is one of the miracles of creation and, at the same time invalidates the claims of evolutionary theory.

The Special Design which Enables Birds to Produce Sound

Talking, or even imitating sound, is not just a simple matter of opening and closing the mouth, as some people believe. A complex system is required for this action to take place, and all parts of this system must be synchronized in perfect working order. Birds with a talent for sound mimicry enjoy all of these requirements and demonstrate their ability in extraordinary ways.

Some of these species have a talent rarely found in any other creature except man. The best example of this are parrots, which can imitate, in addition to human speech, a wide range of sounds that even humans can’t duplicate convincingly—for example, as the creaking of a door, the cap being removed from a bottle, a ringing telephone, or a tune being whistled. This talent to imitate, observable in parrots and some other bird species, is not an ability that can be acquired by coincidence. For any living creature to imitate a sound it has heard, it needs to have complex physiological structures already in place. Particularly in the case of birds that can closely imitate the human voice in terms of tone, stress and expression, these structures must be very sophisticated.

For a bird to reproduce a word or a melody it has heard, it needs to have an appropriate physical structure. Its sense of hearing must be functioning perfectly, and it must be able to memorize the information received by the senses and the ability to conceptualize meaning in its own terms.

People are astonished the first time they hear a parrot say “Hello!” when the phone rings, ask “Who is it?” when the doorbell rings, or greet someone familiar by name. But even though it’s an astonishing achievement for a bird to say even one word, many don’t really give it due consideration. Over time, they may even come to see it as normal and commonplace.

Not only does the bird see and recognize the person approaching; what’s more, the bird knows how to react to a person it knows. It remembers—and reproduces—words it associates with that person. This is evident proof that the bird has an accurate memory. If we consider that some species of birds seem to understand questions they are asked and give a seemingly logical answer, the issue becomes even more complex. One important example of this is a trained grey parrot by the name of Alex. When he’s presented with a red (rose) piece of paper and asked “What color?” he answers “rose.”1

A bird possessing such talents is a great wonder of creation, for birds and other animals do not have free will and reason, and do not share the human characteristics of thought, the ability to make conscious decisions and the determination to carry them out. The ability to talk and imitate sounds is taught by God to certain species of birds. These creatures do not talk because of their own rational thought, will or consciousness, but through God’s inspiration. In a verse of the Qur’an, God conveys that He is supreme over all living creatures: “… There is no creature He does not hold by the forelock…” (Qur’an, 11:56) All the wondrous characteristics of birds that can imitate sounds are just part of the evidence God shows to man so we may witness the magnificence of His creation.

The Physical Formation of Sound in Birds

You might assume that in order for a parrot to be able to imitate the human voice—to use a person’s same spoken words, stresses and pronunciation—they must possess a larynx whose structure is similar to a human’s. However, the structure of the human larynx bears no resemblance to these creatures’ physical structures. The larynx, vocal cords, tongue, lips, palate and teeth that humans use in speech are completely different in birds, and some do not exist at all. But even though all birds lack these structures, still these species can reproduce phrases spoken by humans—and in the same tones. If we consider that a person without a tongue is unable to speak or that we lose our voice if the vocal cords are damaged, it’s also worth considering that parrots, budgerigars, and mynahs, members of the crow family, have completely different physical characteristics which nevertheless enable them to talk in the same way as humans.

There are other differences between the systems that humans and birds use to produce vocal sounds. We produce most sounds by expelling air from the lungs through the larynx. Different sounds are created, according to the degree of vibration of the vocal cords. The position of the tongue and lips and the flow of air through the mouth or nasal cavity are only a few of the many other factors affecting sound production. The pharynx, found in humans, lets the tongue divide the vocal tract above the larynx into two cavities with their own distinct resonances. Where these resonances occur, the overtones of the frequencies (or number of vibrations) from the vocal cords are amplified. Formants (from the Latin formare: to shape, or form) are resonant frequencies of the vocal tract, the natural shapes that air assumes in the vocal passage. When you make a consonant, for example, this has an effect on the formants of the neighbouring vowels, raising or lowering formants as the vowel sou!
nd gets closer to the corsonant. Experiments have shown that two formants are sufficient in order to differentiate speech sounds from each other.2

Birds have no larynx similar to a human’s, but do have a special vocal organ, known as the syrinx, that enables them to produce sounds. In birds, air from the lungs passes through this organ. In a sense, the bird’s syrinx is the equivalent of our human larynx. One of the principal differences is that in humans, our vocal cords are positioned closer to the windpipe. So far, the fact that the bird’s syrinx is deep inside the body has prevented scientists from obtaining a complete answer as to how birds produce sound. Scientists have filmed birds using infra-red and x-ray cameras, and have made close studies of their song and speech by means of fiber-optic microscopes inserted in their throats. Yet we still cannot explain the physical process by which birds produce song and imitate sounds.

Within the bird’s breast, its vocal organ is like a branched instrument, located at where its voice box meets the two bronchial tubes. As shown on in the picture, one branch of the syrinx opens into one bronchus and the second branch into the other; and either one of these two bronchi can produce sound. Some birds can use either both sides of their voice organ simultaneously, or one of the two independently and, by this means, can produce two separate tones of the same frequency, at the same time. They can sing a high note with one side, while producing a low note with the other. And since the bird’s vocal organ is situated at the juncture of the two bronchial tubes, it can produce sound from two different sources. This even allows the bird to produce two different notes simultaneously, and even to sing a duet with itself. To a great extent, sounds produced here are subsequently combined, giving birds the potential of creating rich melodies. While humans use only about 2% of!
the air they inhale to produce sound, birds have the ability to use it all. 3

The syrinx is located in a pouch within the clavicle below the bird’s throat. The membrane covering this pouch is sensitive to the air coming from the lungs, and its elasticity and complexity of the membrane are factors that determine the quality of sounds. The sound quality is also affected by the length of the windpipe, the constriction of the voice box, the neck muscles, structure of the beak, and their respective movements. In short, the complexity of the birds’ syrinx determines the complexity of the sounds they produce. Its muscles affect the air flow and consequently, the quality of the sound. In parrots, budgerigars, and some songbirds, the syrinx has a greater number of muscles, and its structure is more complex.

Furthermore, the different techniques that parrots and budgerigars employ for imitating the human voice are most effective. Like humans, parrots have thick tongues that enable them to produce sounds resembling ours. Sound is produced by blowing air through two separate places in their syrinx, and at the same time producing the independent sounds required to produce consonants. The initial sound from the syrinx is shaped with the help of the throat, and then in the mouth with the tongue. In their research studies with grey parrots, Dianne Patterson and Irene Pepperberg reached important conclusions on vowel production: Due to the radically different anatomy of this parrot’s vocal organ, even though they lack teeth and lips, they can produce sounds that closely resemble sounds produced by humans.4 Indeed, parrots and budgerigars can quite clearly imitate sounds such as “m” and “b,” which we normally produce with the help of our lips.

Budgerigars, however, due to their small size, are not able to use the same technique as parrots. Using their syrinx to create frequencies from 2,000 to 3,000 Hz, they then add on a second vibration. This system is known as frequency modulation or FM, the principle behind the AM (amplitude modulation) radios to be found in practically every home. These days, many FM broadcasting stations add low transmitters to their signals which, in common with normal signals, are adjustable through a transmitter, but are of a very high frequency. While the frequency of normal signals varies from 20 to 20,000 Hz, the frequency of many low transmitters starts at 56,000 Hz. The main reason for using the FM system is to offset the major disadvantage of the AM system—namely, the interference of many natural or man-made radio sounds, called “parasites.” Because the weak signals of AM radio are quieter than the stronger ones, differences in signal level are formed, which are then perceived as no!
ise. AM receivers have no facility for cutting out these parasitic sounds.

To solve this problem, Edwin H. Armstrong invented a system for eliminating noise caused by the power of the waves. Instead of changing the transmission signal or the strength of the transmitter, he changed the frequency of sound waves per second. Thanks to this system, the amplitude of noise (strength of sound waves) could be reduced to a minimum. But scientists are still mystified how budgerigars manage to use this same system.

Of course, no little budgerigar can possibly work out for itself from the time it is hatched how to apply a series of principles discovered by man only after long trials. In the same way, no parrot can know that it must produce auxiliary sounds in order to make consonants distinct or to develop systems in its throat to enable it to do so. Also, it’s not possible for such a system to be the end product of a series of blind coincidences. All these complex systems are without doubt, the work of God, the Creator.

There is No Room for Coincidences in God's Creation

Most humans, with their far superior intelligence, have difficulty in imitating other voices or speech while these little birds are able to imitate many sounds they have heard with perfection, showing how exceptionally skilled they are. Scientific research has concluded that this perfect mechanism in birds is a masterpiece of design. God’s supreme knowledge and art, as shown in the magnificence of His creation, is too evident to be obscured by deceitful theories. Swans, peacocks, brightly colored parrots, budgerigars and an infinite variety of living creatures invalidate any claims of coincidence and demonstrate the infinite power of the Lord, our Creator.

Darwinists insist on trying to attribute this perfect system to coincidences. According to their mentality, all the living creatures we see around us, all the skills they possess, and all their aesthetics and beauty are products of blind chance. The truth is, it’s not possible to explain away the consciousness and design seen in all living creatures, at all times, with coincidences. It is purely because of ideology that Darwinists cannot see this evident reality—or rather, they do see it but won’t accept it. These people cling to evolutionary theory out of their belief that it explains the mechanism of life. Accepting that it cannot forces them to accept the only possible and true alternative explanation, which is the truth of creation. This results in the complete collapse of Darwinism and any related materialist ideologies.

The thousands of examples that we see around us, but which the Darwinists pretend not to, are important pieces of evidence that destroy the distorted philosophies of those who deny the miracles of God’s creation. Every person with a conscience will see in the wonderful structures of living creatures, and in the exceptional balance of the universe, the power of our Supreme and Omnipresent Lord. Darwinism and, consequently, the materialist philosophy that has deceived the world for nearly two centuries, will collapse. People will perceive the existence of God and start to live according to the beautiful ethics bidden by our Lord. The invalid system of thought that forms the basis of Darwinism will be completely destroyed, as God makes known in a verse of the Qur’an:

Rather We hurl the truth against falsehood and it cuts right through it and it vanishes clean away! (Qur’an, 21:18)

1- Irene Maxine Pepperberg, The Alex Studies, Harvard University Press, England, 1999, pp. 46-47.
2- http://www.linguistlist.org/~ask-ling/archive-1997.10/msg01480.html
3- http://www.eeb.uconn.edu/courses/Ornithology/EEB281_1_Vocalizations.htm
4- Lesley J. Rogers & Gisela Kaplan, Songs, Roars and Rituals, Communication In Birds, Mammals and Other Animals, USA, 2000, p. 81.

The Superior Flight System in Insects

2007-11-20T03:29:00.000-08:00

How can a midge manages to beat its wings 1,000 times a second?
How does a flea leap hundreds of times its own height?
Why does a butterfly fly forwards when its wings beat up and down?
The fly is one of the creatures referred to in the Qur’an, as only one of the many animals that reveal the infinite knowledge of our Lord. Almighty Allah speaks of this matter in verse 73 of Surat al-Hajj:

O humanity! A likeness has been made, so listen to it carefully. Those you call upon apart from Allah are not even able to create a single fly, even if they were to join together to do it. And if a fly steals something away from them, they cannot get it back from it. How feeble are both the seeker and the sought! (Surat al-Hajj: 73)

Despite recent research, despite all the technologies that Allah has placed at the disposal of humanity, a great many characteristics of living things still preserve their miraculous aspects. As in all things that Allah has created in the body of a fly gives abundant evidence of a superior knowledge. By considering its intricacy, any thinking person can once again reflect on his deep respect for Allah and devotion to Him.

Some of the investigations that scientists have carried out on the flight systems of flies and other small insects are detailed below. The conclusion emerging from this is that no haphazard, trial-and-error force or entity other than Allah can have created the complexity of even a fly.

The flight muscles of many insects such as the locust and dragonfly contract powerfully as a result of stimuli emitted by the nerves that control their every movement. In the locust, for example, signals sent by each nerve cause the flight muscles to contract. By working alternately, not against each another, two complementary groups of muscles, the so-called elevators and depressors, allow the wings to rise up and beat down. Locusts beat their wings 12 to 15 times a second, and in order to be able to fly smaller insects must beat theirs even more rapidly. Honeybees, wasps and flies beat their wings from 200 to 400 times a second, and in midges and some parasites only 1 millimeter (0.03 inch) in size, that rate rises to an astounding 1,000 times a second! Wings beating too fast for the human eye to see have been created with a special structure in order to exhibit such sustained performance.

A nerve is able to send at most 200 signals a second. Then how can a small insect able to beat its wings 1,000 times a second? Research has established that in these insects, there is no one-to-one relationship between signals from the nerves and frequency of wing beats.

Bluebottle flies beat their wings 200 times a second, but their nerve and muscle structures are very different from those of locusts. Only one signal comes from the nerve for every 10 wing beats. In addition, these so-called “fibrous muscles” work very differently compared to locusts. Nerve impulses regulate only the muscles’ preparations for flight. Once the muscles achieve a specific tension, they contract of their own accord.

In these special systems, created independently in the body of every insect, there is not the slightest irregularity. Their nerves never emit an incorrect signal, and the insects’ muscles always interpret them correctly.

In such species as flies and bees, the muscles that allow flight are not even attached to the wing base! Instead, they attach to the chest by joints that serve as a kind of hinge, while the muscles that lift the wing upwards are attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the chest. When these muscles are contracted, the chest surface flattens and draws the wing base down. The lateral surface of the wing provides a support function and permits the wings to rise. The muscles establishing downward movement are not attached directly to the wing, but operate along the length of the chest. When these muscles are contracted, the chest is retracted in the opposite direction, and the wings are thus drawn downwards.

The wing joint is formed of a special protein known as resilin, which possesses superb elasticity. Since its features are far superior to those of natural or synthetic rubber, chemical engineers are trying to reproduce this substance, in laboratories. In flexing and contracting, resilin is able to store almost all of the energy exerted on it; and when the force pressing on it is lifted, it is able to give back all that energy.

As a result, resilin is up to 96% efficient. During wing lift, some 85% of the energy expended is stored for later; this same energy is then re-used in the downward movement that provides lift and propels the insect forward. Its chest walls and muscles have been created with a special structure to make possible this accumulation of energy. However, the energy is actually stored in the joints consisting of resilin.

It’s of course impossible for an insect, by means of its own efforts, to equip itself with such an extraordinary mechanism for flight. The infinite intelligence and might of Allah has created this special resilin in the insects’ bodies.

For smooth flight, straight up-and-down wing movement alone is not sufficient.. In order to be able to provide lift and propulsive force, the wings must also have to change their angle of motion during every beat. Insects’ wings possess a particular rotational flexibility, depending on the species, which is provided by their so-called direct flight muscles (or DFMs, for short) that produce the forces needed for flight.

When insects seek to climb higher in the air, they increase their wing angle by contracting still further these muscles between the wing joints. Fast-frame and stop-motion photographs have shown that during flight, the wings follow an elliptical course and that for each wing’s cycle, its angle alters systematically. This variation is caused by the changing movements of the direct muscles and the wings’ attachment to the body.

The greatest problem faced by very small insect species during flight is air resistance. For them, sheer air density becomes an obstacle for these creatures that can’t be underestimated. Moreover, a restrictive layer around the wing causes the air to cling to the wings, leading to a loss in flight efficiency. In order to be able to overcome that air resistance, flies such as Forcipomya, whose wings are no more than 1 millimeter wide, must beat them 1,000 times a second.

Scientists believe that theoretically, even this speed is insufficient to keep these insects aloft, and that they must employ some other additional system. In fact, Anarsia, a kind of parasite, makes use of a method known as “beat and shake.” When its wings reach the highest point in their lift, they strike against each another and then open down again. As the wings, with their string vein, open the front air current first sets up a vortex around the wings and assist with the wing beat lift force.

Many species of insects, the locusts included, take note of visual data such as the line of the horizon to determine their direction of flight and eventual destination. For determining their position, flies have been created with an even more extraordinary structure. . These insects have only a single pair of wings, but to the rear of each, there is a knob-shaped lobe known as the halter. Although the halters produce no lift force, they vibrate together with the front wings. When the fly changes its direction of flight, these wing extensions prevent it from deviating off course.

All the information provided here results from studies into the flight techniques of just three or four insect species. Bear in mind that the total number of insect species on Earth is around 10 million. Considering all these remaining millions of species, along with the countless features they contain, one must increase still further one’s amazement at the infinite might of Allah.

A Solution to Venous Disorders from the Flea Gene

Scientists have succeeded in separating out the resilin gene from fruit flies and managed to reproduce this protein naturally by injecting the gene into a Escherichia coli bacteria.

In the course of one study carried out by the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), scientists who succeeded in identifying the gene that produces insects’ resilin also identified a powerful polymer that may prove useful in the treatment of vein diseases. Studies that began in the 1960s, concentrating on the desert locust and dragonfly, were a powerful factor in advancing this most important step.

Resilin, which also gives fleas the ability to make their enormous leaps, gives these and other insects an astonishing capability of movement. Thanks to this substance, fleas are able to jump many hundreds of times their own height and some flies are able to beat their wings over 200 times a second.

The protein obtained from resilin is far better than the highest-quality rubber products in its ability to resist pressure and revert to its former shape. Continuing experiments on artificial resilin show that the protein still maintains these features.

Scientists state their belief that the polymer obtained from cloning insects’ genes can be employed in a variety of very different fields, from medicine to industry. But perhaps the most important of these applications will be treating arterial disease in humans. Because resilin resembles the protein elastin in human veins, scientists hope that their studies will endow veins with renewed elasticity.

The British Professor Roger Greenhalgh states that “This research [into resilin] seems to be at a very early stage, but if we could take something good out of the elasticity of the flea that benefits humans, that would be most impressive.”1

References:

"Synthesis and properties of cross linked recombinant pro-resilin,"; by Christopher M. Elvin, Andrew G. Carr, Mickey G. Huson, Jane M. Maxwell, Roger D. Pearson, Tony Vuocolo, Nancy E. Liyou, Darren C. C. Wong, David J. Merritt and Nicholas E. Dixon, Nature 437, 999-1002 (13 October 2005) | doi: 10.1038/nature04085; "Flea protein may repair arteries" BBC News, October 12, 2005

A Miracle of the Living World: Communication and Signaling in the Language of Birds

2007-11-18T03:25:00.000-08:00

Scientific research has revealed that throughout the living world, communication is just as important as it is to human beings. Countless living things lack the capacity for human speech, yet they employ entirely different methods in order to communicate with each other—and even with other species. Some of the most dramatic examples of this is displayed by birds. The astonishing behavior and ability to communicate that birds exhibit also totally invalidates the claims of the theory of evolution.

All forms of life on Earth have been created with miraculous properties and astonishing abilities. The examination of just one single species is enough to reveal hundreds of proofs of God’s magnificent creation.

In one verse of the Qur’an, Allah reveals that:

There is no creature crawling on the earth or flying creature, flying on its wings, who are not communities just like yourselves—We have not omitted anything from the Book—then they will be gathered to their Lord. (Qur’an, 6: 38)

The birds to which this verse draws our attention notice are one of the living communities that we need to examine and reflect upon.

There are roughly some 10,000 species of bird in the world, each of which possesses its own miraculous features. Wherever you may live, you can see a great number of these feathered creatures and can observe different and extraordinary properties in each and every one. With their attractive appearances, flawless flight mechanisms, expertise on the routes and timing of migrations, ability to build nests and altruistic behavior toward their young and to one another, birds possess countless proofs of the fact of creation. Their ability to communicate is another of these.

Birds' Sense of Hearing

For birds to display their talents in communicating by sound, song—and in the case of some birds, words— they require excellent hearing. At critical times in their lives, their sense of hearing becomes particularly important. Experiments have shown that in order for birds to learn the distinctive song of their own species, they need an auditory feedback system. Thanks to this system, young birds learn to compare the sounds they produce themselves with the patterns of a song they have memorized. If they were deaf, it wouldn't normally be possible for them to sing recognizable songs. (1)

Birds' ears are well equipped for hearing, but they hear in a different way from us. For them to recognize a tune, they have to hear it in always the same octave (a series of seven notes), whereas we humans can recognize a tune even if we hear it in a different octave. Birds cannot, but can instead recognize timbre—a fundamental note combined with harmonies. The ability to recognize timbre and harmonic variations lets birds hear and reply to many diverse sounds, and sometimes even reproduce them.

Birds can also hear shorter notes than we can. Humans process sounds in bytes in about 1/20th of a second (2), whereas birds can distinguish these sounds in 1/200th of a second (3). This means that birds are superior at differentiating sounds that arrive in very rapid succession.(4) In other words, a bird's capacity to perceive sound is approximately ten times greater than ours; and in every note heard by a human, it can hear ten.(5) Moreover, some birds are also able to hear lower-frequency sounds than we are. Their hearing sensitivity is so finely tuned that they can even tell the difference between pieces by such famous composers as Bach and Stravinsky.

Birds' extremely sensitive hearing functions perfectly. Clearly, each of this sense's components is created by special design, for if any one failed to work properly, the bird would not be able to hear any sounds at all. This point also disproves the theory that hearing evolved or emerged gradually, as a result of coincidental influences.

Communication and Signaling in Birds

Birds produce meaningful communications by their facial expressions, beak movements, feather ruffling, elongating their necks, crouching, bouncing, and flapping their wings. Although each species has its own body language, many different species interpret movements in the same way. For example, various species interpret an upward thrust of the beak as expressing the intention to fly, and the lowering of the breast as a warning of danger. Also, several species perceive raising the tail feathers as a threat, or displaying bright colors atop of the head as a declaration of the intent to attack. Via facial expression, birds can convey a variety of messages to those around them-negative feelings such as dislike and resentment, as well as positive ones like pleasure, enthusiasm and curiosity. (6)

Bird’s Facial Expressions

Birds produce different facial expressions by movements of the beak, or by positioning the feathers above the beak, on the chin, or atop the head. In some species, the feathers above the eye can also move independently. Moreover, many species make a display by opening their beaks. For example, the tawny frogmouth opens its beak to reveal its large, bright green oral cavity, emphasizing the size of its beak and making it appear more intimidating. Some other species open their beaks as a form of threatening behavior, usually silently, but sometimes enhance the performance with hissing or loud breathing. (7)

Besides communicating by means of body language, birds produce a great variety of sounds to communicate with other members of their flock, neighbors, or family members. These range from short, simple calls to songs that are surprisingly long and complex. Sometimes birds such as the green woodpecker use different instruments or, like the American woodpecker, use special feathers to produce sound.

Birds also communicate through scents, although since their sense of smell is poor, their communication is based mainly on sound and sight. At times of poor visibility, as at night or in dense foliage, sound is most advantageous, and is also the ideal method for long-distance communication. If conditions are right, birdsong can be heard for up to a few kilometers.

In addition to song, birds also have conceptualization and communication skills. In certain circumstances, they demonstrate talents equivalent to those of children of primary-school age, learning series of words and other means of human communication through social interaction. When alone, these parrots play vocalization games and when in the company of people, they join vocalizations together to produce new assemblages from existing sequences of speech. God, the Creator of everything on Earth and in the skies, equips them with the talents and characteristics that set them apart. Accordingly, our praises for the supreme beauty of our environment is praise that belongs to God.

The Language of Calls and Songs

To call to one another, birds produce sounds of extremely high frequency and strength. Only a few species such as pelicans, storks, and certain vultures are mute and have no call. The acoustic calls used by birds amongst themselves form a language of sorts. Their songs, which are longer and generally related to courtship, consist of a series of notes and usually contain melodies.
Birdsong is usually heard in spring, whereas the calls, much simpler than songs, are used by both sexes and heard throughout the year. Birdcalls allow swift communication via simple messages without a great expenditure of energy. (8) These calls’ main functions can be listed as follows:

- To establish a bird’s species
- To indicate its bird's gender
- To reveal its location
- To demarcate and defend its territory
- To announce and advertise a source of food
- To let young birds recognize their own parents
- To keep the flock together when traveling
- To warn of the presence of an enemy
- To intimidate an enemy
- For courtship

To mark the changeover of responsibility for nesting duties such as incubating or feeding
To practice and perfect their songs

Bird Sounds Are Not Haphazard

Usually, birdsong is not composed of randomly produced sounds. Songs are exceptionally diverse melodies of specific meaning, sung for a purpose, and are much more complex than the calls used for signaling. They are generally used by males to advertise and defend a territory, or in courtship. It is also believed that songs serve a social function. When a pair is building their nest, they also establish communication by song. Experiments on caged birds have also demonstrated that birds find it easier to learn songs if another bird is present, but out of sight, in another cage. (9)

Male and female songbirds have different brain structures, particularly in the regions related to sound production. With many songbird species, the males can sing, but the females cannot. The males use "song" to call their mates or designate a tree, pole, or electrical cable as a place to perch. Each species sings a song with its own characteristics, but any given species' songs display variations according to age, sex, particular time of year, and geographical location-appropriate for the environment in which they live. For example, birds that live in meadows use "songs of flight." Similarly, ones that live in the dense foliage of rain forests or reed thickets have loud voices to compensate for reduced visibility.

God’s Miracle of Inspiration

As we have explained, birds employ the most suitable methods of communication for their habitats and objectives. There is no question of every bird being able to know which song it should sing under which circumstances, or to calculate on its own the meaning and purpose of the song it will sing. According to the Darwinist way of thinking, however, all the birds and other living creatures that we see around us, , all the abilities that they exhibit and all the beauty that they display, are the products of blind chance. Yet obviously, the consciousness and design that pervade life and living things at every moment cannot be explained in terms of a series of mere coincidences.

Living things devoid of reason and judgment can exhibit such behavior because such intelligence and consideration of the future are inspired in them by God. God creates every living thing with the characteristics it requires and inspires its appropriately intelligent behavior. All living things perform only those functions that God inspires in them, serving as a means whereby we are able to witness His might. In one verse of the Qur’an, God reveals:

Do you not see that everyone in the heavens and Earth glorifies God, as do the birds with their outspread wings? Each one knows its prayer and glorification. God knows what they do. (Qur’an, 24:41)

References:
1- http://instruct1.cit.cornell.edu/courses/bionb424/students/mdr17/neurophysiology.htm
2- http://www.earthlife.net/birds/hearing.html
3- http://www.earthlife.net/birds/hearing.html
4- Theodore Xenophon Barber, Ph. d., The Human Nature of Birds, USA, 1993, p. 36.
5- Ibid., p. 37.
6- Ibid., , p. 34.
7- Lesley J. Rogers & Gisela Kaplan, Songs, Roars and Rituals: Communication In Birds, Mammals and Other Animals, USA, 2000, pp. 78-79.
8- http://whalonlab.msu.edu/Student_ Webpages/Bird_song/page
9- http://whalonlab.msu.edu/Student_ Webpages/Bird_song/page

Specialist in many Ways: The Koala

2007-11-17T03:23:00.000-08:00

Animals have various miraculous features and each one of them is a miracle of creation. One of these animals is the koala. The koala feeding on eucalyptus leaves has various splendid features that ensure a comfortable life for it on trees.

The bodily design of the koala, a native of Australia, has flawless details that it needs in the kind of environment it lives. For instance, its limbs and claws ensure an easy climb to eucalyptus tress with wide trunks. The two fingers in its forepaws are separate from its other three fingers. When compared with the human hand, it can be said that the koala has two thumbs. These thumbs, which are quite different from other fingers, allows the koala to grip more securely.

Four of the limbs of the koala, with its claws that can stick into the soft and smooth trunks of trees like a hook, grasp tree branches with ease as if we grasp a stick, and render a comfortable climb for the koala. However, the features, of the koala, are not limited to these. Here are some of them:

A Miniature Bio-chemical Plant

Eucalyptus leaves have a very high fiber and low protein content. These leaves are rich in strong odorous oil, phenolic combinations and materials similar to cyanide that are inedible and even poisonous for many mammals. These materials, which are poisonous for other animals, lose their poisonous effect when it comes to the koala’s body, for the koala is equipped with a digestive system having a very special anatomy and physiology.

Just as in the case of other herbivorous mammals, the koala cannot digest cellulose, the major component of eucalyptus. However, this task is accomplished by cellulose-digesting microorganisms in the cecum of the koala.

The koala’s cecum, which is quite long, opens to large intestine. Indeed, the cecum makes up 20% of the total intestine. Its length is 1.3m long. (Hume, I. D. (1999). Marsupial nutrition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press)

The cecum is the most interesting part of the koala’s digestive system. The access of the leaves to the digestive system is delayed right at this point. Thanks to this delay, the microorganisms in the cecum transform the cellulose into a structure from which the koala can benefit. With this structure, the koala’s cecum can be likened to a bio-chemical plant. While cellulose is being treated in this plant, oil and phenolic combinations, which are poisonous chemicals, are rendered ineffective in the liver.

As is known, the unique food of the koala is eucalyptus leaves. This means, the animal meets its carbohydrate requirements entirely by cellulose digested by microorganisms. In the absence of microorganisms, it is obvious that the koala cannot survive. The One Who creates these two creatures in perfect harmony is the All-Mighty Allah.

Allah is aware of all the needs of the living-beings. He creates them perfectly. Such examples prove Allah’s infinite power to us. In one of the verses in the Qur’an, Allah relates that those who can use their intellect can understand this fact:

He said, “The Lord of the East and the West and everything between them if you used your intellect.” (Surat ash-Shu‘ara’: 28)

The Koala and the Balance of Water

In the language of Aborigines, the Australian natives, the word “koala” means “the one who does not drink water.” Indeed, the koala does not drink water, for it feeds entirely on eucalyptus leaves.

The eucalyptus leaves has a water content of around 40% to 65%. This ratio never drops below 40%. Because plants with less than 40% water content dry up and die. Thanks to this feature, eucalyptus leaves provide the necessary amount of water to the koala.

No doubt, this feature of the leaves is not sufficient alone. The koala’s body structure utilizing the water in the eucalyptus leaves is extremely important.

The system in the kidneys that checks water loss of the koala’s body has a flawless design. Yet, what is more important is the fact that the digestive system of the koala has the feature of holding water. This way, only a small amount of the water is thrown out from the koala’s body.

Thanks to the kind of digestive system that can hold water, the koala can rely on excess amounts of leaves that do not contain high amounts of water. If the digestive system of the koala lacked this feature, then the animal had to be down on earth, being in a constant search for water. This means, the animal, which lacks proper features to survive anywhere except for trees, had to face many threats. However, thanks to its special bodily structure, the koala never meets such difficulties.

The Koala’s Protective Fur

The main factor that determines the koala’s body temperature is its fur. The fur is created in a way to ensure perfect heat insulation:

The intensity of feathers in the fur may reach around 55 feathers per square millimeter. The fur in the back of the animal covers 77% of the body surface. The feathers on the stomach, on the other hand, are only half as intensive as the back fur, and it covers only 13% of the body surface.

The length of feathers changes from season to season. In summertime, the difference between long feathers and short ones become even more.

The thick fur on the back is darker than the loose ones on the stomach; this way, the koala collects and insulates the sun’s heat. Despite the loose stomach feathers, the koala can adjust the grade of insulation by steepening them.

On windy days, the koalas on trees give only their middle-backs against the wind, and they curl-up into the shape of a ball. As the intensity of the wind increases, they bend their ears forward. This way, none of their limbs becomes vulnerable to the air stream. The back fur of the koala has the highest grade of insulation. It’s insulation is very close to the grade of insulation of the animals living in the Northern Pole.

The wind has only a weak effect upon this strong fur on the back of the animal. Under heavy wind, the fur can maintain a constant body temperature. Indeed, even on very cold days and under heavy winds, the fur’s heat protection capacity drops only by 14%. Such data indicates that for an animal living on the top branches of trees in forests, they are ensured a perfect protection against cold.

The koala’s metabolism rate is also regulated in a way to complement the heat insulation of the fur. The metabolism of the koala is quite slow; it is only 74% of other animals’ metabolism rate. With such a slow rate, the animal also has a low water loss.

The Koala is a Great Deadlock for Evolutionists…

Let’s remember the features of the koala:

- The koala has a body structure that helps it to easily climb trees and live a comfortable life there.

- Thanks to the special design of its digestive system, the koala can get enough food and water from the eucalyptus leaves they find in ample amounts.

- It has a physiological system that eliminates the poisonous effects of eucalyptus oils.

- It has a metabolism that ensures maximum use of water taken from leaves.

All of these features are required for the survival of an animal such as the koala that lives on trees. Could it be that these features, which are essential for the survival of the koala, have come into existence by chance, as evolutionists assert?

A man of wisdom, who is able to think without prejudice and objectively, has only one answer to this question.

No. It is the All-Mighty Allah Who has created the koala with its flawless features. Allah reveals His infinite compassion and mercy through these features He grants to all living beings. Our Lord informs us about the miracles He creates in living beings as follows:

And in your creation and all the creatures He has spread about there are Signs for people with certainty. (Surat al-Jathiyya: 4)

Finding the Perfect New Dog

2007-11-15T03:21:00.000-08:00

When you are looking for a new dog to bring home, there are many factors you need to take into consideration. The most important question to ask is why you want a dog? Is it because your children are begging for one, or is it because you need someone outside the house to warn of would-be intruders? Maybe you want a dog because you had one as a kid and miss the company of a pet. For several reasons, dogs bring most families closer together. However, not all dogs are good for every situation.

First, you have to decide if you want a female or a male dog when first choosing. Males are more aggressive and dominant in certain breeds, and tend to be a little harder to train properly. Females tend to stay more petite, while the males have a bigger stature.

Next, you need to decide whether you want a puppy or an older dog. Children love puppies. They are more adaptable and sociable, and you can train them from the very first moment, molding them in accordance with your needs. It is also quite satisfying to watch a new puppy grow up with your children.

A cool trick to check the temperament of the dog is to hold it in your arms and tip him on his back. If he struggles consistently, it will probably take some patience to train it. If he calmly lays there, it is a sign that the dog is mild tempered, and thus easy to work with.

Another cool trick is to make a sudden movement, clapping your hands or make some other loud sound. If the dog is mild tempered, it will look curiously at you. A nervous or shy dog will seem startled or shy away. If it is the first time you are getting a dog, it is a good idea to bring someone experienced along, as they are better at judging the body language of dogs.

When selecting a new dog, it is important to research the breeds you are looking at. Some breeds need more training, exercise or a certain climate. One example is the cocker spaniel, which needs lots of grooming because of its luxurious coat.

Whether you are looking for a dog your kids can play with or someone to guard the gates, you should include thought and common sense when selecting your new dog. Being thorough in your search will help you find the perfect one for you.

10 Reasons Why Pet Insurance Is A Must

2007-11-13T03:20:00.000-08:00

Pets today need insurance as the cost of medical treatments are very high and in breeding and other problems have made pets more susceptible to diseases and other problems. Pet insurance can cost anywhere between USD 2000-6000 over the life of a pet and the amount of premium to be paid would depend on many variables like breed, age, and more.

Pet insurance can be bought online or offline from leaders like: Pet care Insurance Companies; Veterinary Pet Insurance Company; Pets Best Insurance; and Vet Insurance. The best way to insure a pet is to ask your vet for advice. Pet insurance at affordable rates can be purchased online from websites devoted to pet insurance and pet care. The premium to be paid depends on age of pet, general health of pet, breed of pet, potential risks for susceptible diseases and so on.

Before investing in insurance you must do your homework and find out all you can about polices, how to keep premiums low, and how to buy the best pet insurance at the most affordable rate. The internet is a knowledge highway and has great information on pets, insurance options, and more. Make the effort to educate yourself.

Medical treatment can cost thousands of dollars. And treatments for hip diseases, cancers, kidney failure and more can cost between USD 1000- 5000. In case of disease or accidents pets can be treated and nursed back to health instead of “put down.”

Here are a few reasons why pet insurance is to be considered:

1. A pet is a family member and death due to accident or illness can upset children. Insurance coverage could save the life of the pet.

2. Pet insurance gives peace of mind and owners can stop worrying about unpaid bills or pets crossing roads.

3. Pet insurance ensures longer life spans of pets.

4. Insurance offers preventive health care, which means diseases can be detected in pets at early stages when treatments can offer cures.

5. Pet insurance covers expensive diagnostics and hospitalization expenses for pets.

6. Pet insurance can save the life of the pet as it covers treatments like radiation therapy and kidney replacements.

7. Pet insurance releases the burden of having to pay when the family is going through lean times such as being “laid off” or having a personal illness to deal with.

8. Pet insurance can help you get a deductible which is cost saving and the insurance will protect the pet.

9. Pet insurance offers regular health checks, shots, elective and non elective surgeries, and sometimes extended stays at a pet boarding house.

10. In general pet insurance can cost as little as USD 20-40 a month and this brings good health and cheer to the pet, very much a family member.

Pet insurance could save the life of a dear one without straining your wallet.

Bull Dog

2007-11-11T03:17:00.000-08:00

The Bulldog is one of the most popular purebred dogs. It is popular among celebrities and families.The broad shouldered,stocky bulldog with it characterisitc under bite and pugnacious gait has long been a mascot of sports teams and military units.
But their docile,even tempered personality that belies their tough guy image makes them good pets for families with young children.The personality of Bull dog is unlike any other dog.They are so expressive.If one looks into their eyes one can almost see what they are thinking.Their growing popularuty with celebrities have added to their publicity.The breed is the second most popular dog in Los Angeles.

An English bull dog puppy makes a great companion.A prominent characterisitic of this breed is that they are attention seekers and get along well in a home with children and other pets.If they are given proper care and attention ,you are ensured of a very loyal and loving pet in return.Nevertheless,the care of an English bull dog puppy requires a bit of firmness. It will be difficult to deal if you spoil them. In case they are used to a lot of attention and loses it ,for instance,when its owner's have a baby, it can act out by barking or biting. Therefore, attention needs to be consistent and firm, so that the dog senses its place in what it sees as its group.

It must be remembered that an English bull dog they become less interested in exercise as they age. While these dogs are short and stocky they should be put through regular exercise on to prevent obesity. As they are exhausted by exercise they should be given water often. Another pecularity of an English bull dog is that it has so many folds .Therefore,its cleanliness is really important. If not cleaned well it can cause bacterial or fungal infections.

On the other hand,an American bull dog is a breed of working dog developed for catching livestock and for protecting property. Though larger in size, they are the closest surviving relative of the o ld English bulldog. There are generally considered to be two types of American bulldog, the johnson type and the Scott type, named after the breeders who were influential in developing them, John D. Johnson and Allen Scott. These are more commonly known as Classic or Bully type and Standard or Performance type.The American Bulldog is a stocky, strong-looking dog. Its coat is short and either white or white with patches.

The growing popularity of bull dog has a downside.They can suffer from breathing problems and should only be treated by experienced veterinarians.Bull dogs are also unable to swim.Breeders use artificial insemination and caesarean sections when breeding the dogs to reduce the high risk of injury caused by the large size of the dog's head in proportion to its hips.The elaborate precautions required when breeding bulldogs puts the cost of a typical purebred bulldog puppy on the higher side.

Ferret Food - the pros and cons of a raw diet

2007-11-10T03:15:00.000-08:00

The lack of truly ideal ferret foods is one reason there is growing interest in more natural diets for ferrets.

Basic Feeding Rules

Ferrets have unique feeding requirements, which are now finally being addressed by commercial pet food manufacturers, though with varying success. Ferrets are obligate carnivores, and food passes through the digestive system of a ferret very quickly. They have a sweet tooth but do not give in -- avoid sweet treats (including raisins and other fruits).

Ferret diets should list meat, poultry or fishmeal, or animal by-products as the first ingredient. Ferrets love fruits and veggies, but their systems don't. They do not digest fibre well at all; a banana in comes out a banana. For this reason, a ferret diet must be high in animal protein, high in fat, and low in fibre.

Feeding Young Ferrets

Whether you are feeding raw or commercial food you should always feed at least two types of food in your young ferret’s daily diet to prevent them from imprinting on one food. Ferrets imprint on foods when they're young, so varying the diet will make things easier if you need to change your ferret's food later on.

There are vitamin supplements for ferrets and hairball remedies, which ferrets generally love, and they provide some benefits.

Raw Diet Pros

Good diets tend to be expensive, but are worth it. I researched raw food diets further and found a diet combining raw meaty bones and mince which keeps our ferrets in top condition. Feeding whole raw meaty bones help to prevent tartar forming on the teeth and provides calcium in the diet. Even if not feeding a raw food diet they can be fed alongside dry complete a couple of times a week to keep the teeth clean.

You will see an overall improvement in your ferret’s energy and coat condition. One bonus of a natural diet is that the stool volume decreases as more of the food is absorbed and the smell is greatly decreased.

There are many websites containing information on raw feeding. When feeding groups of ferrets watch to ensure no fighting occurs over bones.

Raw Diet Cons

The biggest drawback to feeding any fresh, cooked meat would be the ferret's normal habit of stashing food for later. It is pretty unhygienic and dangerous to have a pile of stashed meat in the corner of the cage. Make sure you collect any leftovers after every feed. When first fed raw bones it can cause your ferret’s stools to turn a white/grey colour, the ferrets digestive system will develop stomach acids to break down bone and should soon return to normal.

(Note not all veterinarians promote a raw food diet) In the wild a ferret’s natural diet is a mixture of small mammals, some birds, fish, amphibia and invertebrates. When feeding groups of ferrets watch to ensure no fighting occurs over bones.

Getting the balance right

Perhaps the best thing to do is to pick up a bag or two of the highest quality ferret food on the market. Make sure you check the ingredients on the pack and see that the first ingredients are meat. Make up a meal of some dry food, some raw bones and meat and even a vitamin supplement. Gradually you can increase the amount of raw food in the diet. Make sure you keep up the vitamin supplements to ensure your ferret is not missing out.

Canned ferret food can be given as a treat or supplement, but only occasionally.

The diet you feed your ferret is vital to their health and overall well-being and could even help your ferret live a long and happy life.

Nervous Pet Rat? How to help her become more confident

2007-11-08T03:14:00.000-08:00

Patience is a virtue when dealing with nervous rats. A little understanding goes a long way. If your new rat hasn't been handled much by the pet shop/breeder or rescue centre you got her from, she will be nervous, but don't panic, you can still build up a wonderful relationship with your new pet.

Let her settle in

Give your rat a couple of days to settle into her new home. Some rats take to their new environment straight away, whilst others need a little more time. Make sure she has somewhere to hide in her new cage, so that she doesn't feel overwhelmed by all the changes. Speak to her through the cage, so that she gets used to your voice. Don't feed treats through the bars, as this may encourage her to nip your fingers.

Let her come to you

Sit next to the cage, with the cage door open. Be quiet and patient. You can even read a book. Let your rat come out of the cage to investigate. It may take a while, but you will probably find she will come and sniff you and explore her new environment. Have a few tasty treats on your lap to reward her with, if she manages to make it all the way to your lap, let her take a treat and talk to her in a soft, reassuring voice. You will find she gains confidence over time.

Make her feel safe

You want your ratty friend to associate you with safety. She will see your hands as these big, blurry shapes coming towards her and that sounds pretty scary. Always pick her up to put her back into her cage, so that she associates you with going to a place of safety. Have her food ready for her when she returns to the cage. She will think, "Hey everytime I go out, when I come back there is food for me".

Give her time

I have two beautiful boy rats, Billy and Ringo, who had never been handled before they came to me. It has taken 4 months of quietly and patiently building up their confidence, before they truly trusted me. This is an extreme case. It doesn't usually take this long. Now the boys love tummy tickles and playing chase with my hand and grooming my hair. It shows what can be achieved if you just give them time. Try not to make any sudden movements or loud noises, especially in the first week.

All rats can be lovely companions if they are just given a chance. Put yourself in your new ratties position and see how scary it could be. If you rat is a rescue and has never been handled, or a lab rat that may have been abused, you are changing their lives for the better and eventually they will understand this andf hopefully learn to love you, as much as you love them.

The Secret of a Happy Ferret - lots of play time

2007-11-07T03:12:00.000-08:00

Do you have at least 3 hours a day free for supervised out of the cage "ferret play time," and additional time for grooming and cage cleanings? This is what you will need to have a truly happy fuzzball. From a ferret’s point of view, the more playtime the better.

Play for a ferret will often involve hide-and-seek games, or some form of predator/prey game in which either the human attempts to catch the ferret or the ferret to catch the human.

Ferrets are social animals and need company and someone to play with when you are out; they can suffer from depression you know. So think about getting two ferrets, rather than one. That way they can tumble and play when you are not in.

Sometimes their play will appear quite rough. Ferrets establish their dominance by play fighting, and the winner will grab the other by the neck and drag them across the floor, however ferrets are very social and love the company of another ferret.

Ferrets are good jumpers, and many owners find that interactive cat toys such as a "kitty teaser," a simple wire or plastic-string toy with a securely attached feather or other object, bring out the gymnastic abilities of their fuzzballs.

You can also get the ferret Kong. It is a rubber toy that you fill with peanut butter, or another yummy mixture and your ferret can roll around trying to get the food out.

Ferrets are loyal, playful, intelligent, affectionate, and full of hilarious antics. They can easily help chase the blues away after a hard day. Ferrets can also learn to come when you call them, respond to "squeaky" toys and perform simple tricks (rolling over, standing up for a treat etc. Ferrets are very persistent, intelligent and curious animals who will try to get into everything-- especially things they are not supposed to. Many ferrets like to chase their human's feet and nip at ankles.

After playtime ferret’s love to snuggle in a comfy hammock, or fleecy tunnel.

If your ferret is going to spend a lot of time in the cage, a larger cage with ramps and tunnels should be purchased.

It is recommended that you spend a good hour of your pet's playtime interacting with him.

And please remember no pet should be acquired UNLESS you are going to take on the full responsibility of owning and caring for them for life.

Toilet Train Your Ferret

2007-11-05T03:10:00.000-08:00

So your little rascal is leaving gifts all over the house?

Luckily ferrets can be trained to use a litter tray just like cats. They are very intelligent and like to be clean, so they should pick it up quickly. Your whole family should be involved in your ferret training. You can begin ferret litter training any time, although the sooner you start, the happier you and your ferret will be.

Even if you have not trained your ferret you will notice that he will pick a spot, usually in a private corner somewhere, and return to that spot when he has to poop. Ferrets do not relate having their noses rubbed in their poop with the fact that they missed the pan, so please don’t do it. Ferrets do not cover their waste, so scooping is a daily necessity and will help minimize odour. Ferrets are more likely to use a clean pan. You will find that ferrets who feel their litter box isn't clean enough will often go next to it.

Training

Training techniques must be adapted to individual personalities, but some basic principles apply. Put some faeces into your ferret’s new pan and then put him in there. He will probably have a sniff around and should get the idea. If you see him go to the pan and go to the toilet praise and maybe even offer a healthy treat.

If he goes outside of the pan, do not scold him. Simply place him and his poop into the pan. Eventually he should get it. For some older ferrets this may take time. Most of the time, gently reminding him where the litter box is can be enough.

Litter

Clumping cat litters should not be used, unless you place the powder under other forms of litter so the ferret does not have access to the clumping litter (make sure the ferret is not a digger). Some ferrets don't like the feel of clay litter between their toes. Additionally, ferrets "wipe their bottoms" after using their litter pan, and clumping litter particles can adhere to the ferret, and absorb too much moisture from soft tissue. Most of the time, gently reminding him where the litter box is can be enough.

Be careful not to use anything that will give off dust particles.

In conclusion it may take some time, but it will be worth it when you have a fully toilet trained ferret running around the house. Maybe then you could move onto some other more advanced training?

Rat Food - what to feed your pet rat for a longer and happier life

2007-11-05T03:08:00.000-08:00

Rats are omnivores, which means they will basically eat anything. You can buy rat and mouse food from the supermarket or a pet shop, but to keep your rat super happy you should supplement their basic cereal food with something a bit more exciting. Improved nutrition can lengthen your rats lifespan to 5 years.

You will discover what your pets favorite food are with a bit of experimentation (don't mention that word in front of the ratties). Try out lots of healthy, fresh foods like carrot sticks dipped in hommous, juicy apples and pears and you will soon see what they eat straight away, what they hide for later and what they just can't be bothered with at all.

My Wombat rat loves grapes. He holds them so delicately, takes off the top and the licks out the inside like a crème egg.

It's ok to give your rats treats too. They like the fruity treats you can buy in the pet shop for rabbits and guinea pigs and carob drops that you get for dogs. My rats like a bit of my dog's dried biscuits too.

Try out raisins and bread and peanut butter, spread thinly, to avoid choking (on a carrot or celery stick) and you will see what they like best. Just like us, they like variation in their diet. My rats, Ginger and Mr T just love chocolate soy milk and a lot of rats like yoghurt too. Regular soy in our rats' diet is proven to reduce their chance of getting mammary tumors. Hard boiled eggs and bacon rind are other things your ratties might enjoy.

Ginger in particular is rather greedy and will actually try and grab things from my mouth! What a cheek!

Try hiding special treats around their cage in secret places and your ratties will love spending time searching for their favorite food, just like they would in the wild.

Remember not to overfeed your rats. If they get fat they can be more susceptible to tumors and other nasty things, so everything in moderation and try and feed lots of healthy living foods as well as the odd treat.

Of course you must always provide plenty of fresh water, ideally from a dripfeed bottle, fixed to the cage, that you can get from the pet shop. Try to clean the bottle and the food bowl out regularly to help keep your rats nice and healthy. Also make sure you change the food every day.

Don't feed male rats oranges. They have a component called d-limonene that builds up in the male rats kidneys and can cause cancer. Avoid all citrus flavours, oils and fruits. D-limonene is not shown to have any effect on female rats, but perhaps it is best to avoid these fruits anyway and stick to other foods your rat likes. Rats don't need to eat as much vitamin C as humans, as they are able to make their own.

When you find out what your ratties favorite food is, you can use it to train him. Rats are very intelligent and will do anything for their favorite food. They also like to please their favorite person too. My rats love to do tricks for a piece of Nesquick chocolate cereal or a spoon of chocolate soy milk (note the chocolate theme).

Rat Intelligence - why rats are the smartest pets out there

2007-11-03T03:06:00.000-07:00

We know are rats are intelligent, just by being around them. The knowing looks they give us, the way they solve simple problems and work out how to cause even more mischief. Here is some more info on what we already knew. Our Rats Are Smart!

Learning

Rats pick up new behaviors and tricks very quickly. They try hard to please their owners and you may be surprised how much your rat can learn.

In the wild, rats, like humans are survivors and generalists. They have to cope with every eventuality that nature throws at them. They learn to raid human food and stores and avoid being caught.

Rats have been trained to press a button for food. If they are given food, every fourth time they press the button, they will quickly press it four times to get the food.

They can also learn to turn a light on and off, with no reward. They will simply do it as they like the change. They also like to feel they have power over these things.

Rats have amazing senses of smell and hearing and have been trained to sniff out land mines and bombs, in the place of dogs.

Mazes

Rats are also very good at mazes. It is actually quite fun to make up a maze for your ratty and put their favorite treat at the end. The first time it may take a while for them to get to the treat, but the next time you will see they are much faster.

In one incident a rat was placed in an eight arm maze, with a treat at the end of each arm. The rat learnt how to empty the maze, without going down the same arm twice. It didn't follow a set pattern, so it's route could not be predicted. Someone suggested that the rat was leaving a scent mark at each tunnel entrance it had been down, so that it would know not to go down that one again. However, further tests eliminated this possibility. They then turned the maze around and the rat became disoriented.

It turned out that the rat had used visual markers to remember what arms of the maze it had already been down. Some arms were near a window, or a light. This showed that the rat could picture the maze and the location of the tunnels it had been down. It then reflected on this experience and could find food with minimum effort.

Social Intelligence

Rats are incredibly social creatures, who have very complex relationships with other rats. As you probably know, they can have a very strong bond with people too.

In the wild and in horrible labs, rats can die from social stress. Their relationships are so important to them that there have been report of rats dying from heart break after their partner has died.

Shy rats have been proven to die younger than their more confident peers. It is important to be patient with him, if you have a shy ratty. If you are gentle and quiet and consistent in your efforts you may have a breakthrough.

Rat Dreams

Yes, rats do dream. Have you ever seen your little ratty twitching a little in his sleep? Or even squeaking? Well, it has been proven that rats dream, in very much the same way as humans. They dream about what they have done that day and you may see them moving as they dream.

Treating Respiratory Infections In Rats

2007-11-02T02:57:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately our ratty friends are rather prone to respiratory diseases and Mycoplasma Pulmonis (MP) is the most prevalent one.

Symptoms of MP

Laboured breathing, chattering, weight loss, sneezing, sniffling, squinting, rough hair, Porphyrin staining (red staining) around nose and eyes.

In more severe cases your rat may have pneumonia, infertility, miscarriage and death.

MP can also cause an inner ear infection, so watch out for head tilting in your rat.

Prevention of MP

Your rat will be more susceptible to MP if he is stressed. Try to keep his life as stress free as possible by keeping him stimulated (see toys and games page) and keeping his home clean.

Pollutants and exposure to ammonia and faecal material (pooh) will also make your rat more susceptible to MP. Keep you rat in a clean, uncrowded and well-ventilated cage with clean and safe bedding. Do not use shavings, as these will aggravate MP and may cause other diseases too.

If you get a new rat keep them in a separate cage, in a separate room from your other rats for two weeks. This is a quarantine period. As MP can spread to other rats easily.

What is Mycoplasma Pulmonis?

Are you ready for the science bit?

Mycoplasma is a PPLO (pleuropneumonia-like organism). It is different from other forms of bacteria, as it doesn't have a cell wall (this is important to remember when treating it). There are 95 types of Mycoplasma, but rats get the kind called Mycoplasma pulmonis (MP). Mycoplasma is the organism genus and pulmonis is the organism species.

MP is carried in the upper respiratory system. It causes a blistering effect on the surface of the lungs and can cause secondary infection. However genital mycoplasmosis is common in female rats and although they do not always have an infection they will have reduced fertility.

MP is very fragile outside of the host (your rat) and it is very susceptible to heat, detergents and disinfectants. This means that washing your hands with hot water will kill MP.

People can't catch MP, but we can carry it on our clothes and skin for short periods of time. Mycoplasmas live in respiratory passages and lungs, so if we sneeze we could transmit it to our rats. MP can infect an entire rat colony as they transmit it by sneezing, grooming and sexual contact.

Although MP is very delicate and has a slow rate of growth, once it takes root in a rats system it can be difficult to get rid of. MP mimics your rats antigens fooling your rat's system into ignoring the invading organism.

Rats can be more susceptible to other respiratory diseases once they have MP, as it compromises the integrity of the lung wall.

Treating MP

Not all antibiotics work on MP. This is because some antibiotics attack the invading organisms cell wall and remember MP does not have a cell wall, so these antibiotics will be useless.

You must use the correct antibiotics as soon as possible. Remember there are other pathogens that effect rats, so make sure it is MP before you begin treatment.

Good antibiotics to use are:

Doxycycline combined with Baytril. This should be given in an oral form using a syringe, or dropped in your rat’s favourite liquid food (Ginger loves soy milk). Give your rat 2.5mg/pound (make sure you get an accurate weight of your rat using electronic scales). Give this twice a day for 14-30 days.

Aminophylline can be used if your rat has pneumonia to help it breathe more easily. Give 2.5-5mg/pound two times a day.

Prednisone can reduce inflammation, and can be used with other antibiotics. In the advanced stages of MP this will allow your rat to live more comfortably. Give 0.25-1mg/pound once a day. Only ever use this for a few days at a time, unless your rat is dying, in which case keep it up until he passes.

Make sure your rat is getting enough fluids. You may wish to use a syringe, or eyedropper to give water to your rat by hand. If your rat is not eating properly use a vitamin and calorie supplement, such as Nutrigel. This tastes nice, so your rat should take it easily.

Tumours in Rats - what to do when your pet rat has lumps and bumps

2007-11-01T17:39:00.000-07:00

by: Catherine Smith

If you find a bump on your female rat, don't fret. It is usually a benign tumour. You should of course, still get it checked out by the vet. Female rats are very prone to lumps and bumps, especially around the mammary glands. Rats have nipples in odd places. There are a pair right behind their front legs, so this is a common place for a lump.

Benign tumours can grow very fast. They have been known to be the size of the rat itself. It is possible to have the lump surgically removed. If you catch the lump early, this is probably a good idea, as when it gets bigger it will make it difficult for your rat to groom herself and move around properly.

My beautiful rat Ginger has developed a benign tumour. Unfortunately the vet felt she was too old to operate on. There was too much risk involved. He also felt the lump would probably grow back elsewhere. The lump has grown over the last 4 months, but Ginger still seems happy. Sometimes she goes onto a course of antibiotics to help her feel better and she is more tired these days, but she still loves her cuddles and her best friend Mr T.

I have been giving her the following mixture to help her body fight:

Mix together the following ingredients:

3 capsules of CLA (Tonalin) (1000mg)
1 capsule Co-enzyme Q10 (10mg)
10 drops of echinacea/goldenseal liquid herbal extract
1ml of sublingual B vitamin complex liquid
1 capsule Super antioxidant formula (has vit C, E, beta-carotene and selenium - do not give this if Enervite or any other vitamin supplements are being given)
3 capsule Pau d'arco (500mg)
1 capsule Flaxseed oil (1000mg)
1" square of miso paste (pure organic, not flavored)

Divide into 14 parts and keep them in the fridge. If your ratty has a fast growing tumour give this twice a day, otherwise give it once.

You can mix it with yogurt or something else yummy that your rat loves, so as to disguise the taste.

If your male rat gets a lump, there is more chance it could be cancerous. Either way please take your rat to the vets straight away and be prepared for some nursing.