Aquarium shops are becoming more popular, there is now at least
two in each mid sized town. Fish collecting has had a great
boost from out of nowhere! The best place that you can get your
aquarium accessories and tanks is an aquarium shop. They are
cheaper than pet shops that sell items for other animals. When
buying the more specific species of fish, aquarium shops is the
place to go, pet shops usually only deal in the smaller more
basic types of fish whereas aquarium shops specialise in fish.
That’s why they have a much larger range of fish.

Aquarium shops have all the accessories that you need, you don’t
need to shop anywhere else. They have everything from filters,
heaters, lights, fish and food! They even stock tanks, stands
and plants! They are the place to go when first starting out
your fish hobby as they are the best for advice on how to get
your fish set up on the go! They will let you know all about the
bacteria process and what needs to be done to maintain a healthy
tank! Aquarium shops also stock things such as chemical
solutions to help keep the water pure and clean. They also offer
things like water test kits to make sure that your water levels
such as PH, ammonia and nitrates stay at the level that they
should be!

When visiting an aquarium shop you should have the type of tank
that you want in mind, whether it is tropical or saltwater. Or
what kind of fish that you would like if you already have a tank
set up. Fish shops have a more personal feel to it, the staffs
are friendly and are there to give you some ongoing support with
your tank, and they help you start your tank and are there for
the long haul! Aquarium shops are brilliant for either the
beginner or the advanced aquarist! Whatever your level of fish
keeping, you will find everything that you need!

This is Jake’s own story, as he sees his world!

I can’t remember much about my very young life, but my own story
really started at around about 14 weeks, when this very nice
couple came to where I was living, looking for a puppy. All I
remember is sitting in the corner of the kennel, while four
young lady puppies rushed over to say “Hello”. They were very
pretty blue merle collie pups and I was just a plain old “black
and white” Border collie. I was thinking to myself “No-one will
ever want me” and was resigned to a lonely life in my corner.
However, to my amazement, I was the puppy they picked up to
hold.

“Right”, I thought… “I’m going to make the most of this and
hope that they take me home with them”, so I snuggled in as
tightly as I could and gave them a big wet kiss. That turned out
to be a winning move on my part, because that’s when my own
story started for real and they took me home with them.

I was determined it would be a decision they would never regret
and decided from that day on to be the best friend anyone could
have asked for. When we arrived at the house, where my new “Mom
and Dad” lived. I felt a bit lost sitting on the kitchen floor
all by myself, with no other puppies around to play with. But as
the months went by I became more accustomed to the surroundings
and started to enjoy my little life.

“This is the place for me” I thought “There’s plenty of open
space to run around in, shadows to chase and even things with
feathers on that fly away when you get near”.

I did have a few hiccups though, when it became time to learn
how to walk on one of those lead thingies… I wasn’t too keen
at first! In fact I tried very hard not to give in, but as you
can guess, I did!

As time passed, I had done everything from digging holes in the
flowerbeds, helping with the “unplanting” of flowers and just
managing to avoid falling into the fishpond, I reckoned my new
life was going to be great.

When I was about…mmm!, let me think about this…ohhh! I guess
I must have been about 12 months old, everything in the house
was being packed away in boxes. “What’s goin’ on here?” I
thought to myself “Which box is mine?”. It turned out my own
story was about to continue from a new home near the coast…

What a great place that was. So many places to have a good old
romp amongst the heather, plus there was this place called “the
beach”. Wasn’t too sure about it at first, as I got my feet wet,
which was something that I didn’t like at all (at first). But
after going a few times, I began to realise that it wasn’t such
a bad place. I could run and run and not really get anywhere,
but that didn’t matter.

Then one day much to everyone’s surprise, I decided to be brave
and charged off into the water… Yippee!, I’ve got more than my
feet wet now. “Hey, this is fun” I thought “I can actually
swim”. I looked forward to being taken to the beach more and
more as time passed.

However, after a couple of years everything was being packed in
boxes again. Here we again, I thought, where are we off too this
time? Didn’t have long to wait. We moved to another house, but
still near the sea.

I am nearly 6 years old now, (I think!) and I am sure I have
been a constant source of amusement to “Mom and Dad” I reckon
they have got a file full of photos and lots of fond memories…
so far that is!

Life has been very good for me, so a great big wet-nosed
thank-you to my “Mom and Dad” for picking me and taking me home
with them that day. All I want to do now is to grow old with
them, update my own story, from time to time and enjoy our lives
together for many years to come…

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Dog treats are available in a huge variety of flavors, shapes, colors, sizes and types. They are an excellent way to reward or to train any type of dog. However, some dog treats are full of artificial additives and preservatives, so make sure you read the list of ingredients on the packet before you buy them.

Faced with such a variety it’s hard to know which types of dog treats are best for your dog. So let’s take a look at what’s available and then you can make an informed choice.

The first category of dog treats is soft treats. These include LiverSnax, BeefEaters and human food such as raw hot dogs, bologna, cheese and cooked, unseasoned chicken or turkey. Soft treats make great rewards and are ideal for obedience training, housebreaking training or just as a snack. Being small and portable makes these nutritious nibbles particularly suitable for training and they won’t spoil your dog’s appetite for dinner or upset her stomach.

Another treat category is biscuits, and these are also good for training purposes. Beef liver treats are a popular choice. They are tasty, healthy and very easy to make yourself - just bake in the oven until crispy. You can also boil beef liver seasoned with garlic powder. When it’s cooked, place on a cookie sheet and bake in the oven until dry. Cut into bite-size pieces after cooling. You can put these treats into small sandwich bags to take with you for training sessions.

Ears and snouts are also much loved treats. Smaller dogs and puppies can be kept entertained for hours with a delicious pig’s ear! Most ears and snouts come with a smoked flavor which will add to you pet’s enjoyment.

Hard treats such as bones and rawhide satisfy a dog’s natural urge to chew and can help clean their teeth and remove plaque. While dogs do enjoy them, many experts advise against rawhide dog treats. Frequent rawhide chewers commonly develop irritation and rashes on their lips from the prolonged exposure to the rawhide’s chemicals. Rawhide cannot be digested and if swallowed can cause serious problems. Non-toxic chew toys are a much safer option and there’s a vast assortment available. Don’t be tempted to give your dog chicken or turkey bones as these can splinter when chewed and can pierce vital organs, often resulting in fatality.

More and more pet owners are choosing organic treats for their dogs. These treats are free from any chemicals or toxins and are often fortified with vitamins and minerals, which can help, prevent the development of skin problems, allergies, and diabetes and kidney problems.

Edible dog treats should be high in vitamins and nutrients and low in fat. Vegetables such as raw broccoli, raw baby carrots or raw red peppers can keep even a fussy dog happy. You can also try pineapples, grapes bananas, apples and pears. Your dog will soon let you know which she prefers.

Michalis “BIG Mike” Kotzakolios

Kotzakoliou, SSA

Learn More About Dog Treats And Dog Obedience.

Read More About Organic Dog Treats.

BIG Mike is a well known author, developer and Adsense expert as well as the owner of Niche Maniacs - a unique Adsense Marketing System designed to build long-term passive income streams from Adsense, YPN, Chitika and other PPC services.

Are you looking for an urn for your cat’s cremains? Perhaps something a little more unique than simply a wooden box is what you want. If so, we can help. We’ve done lots of research all over the internet to find the nicest and most unique cat urns on the market today. This article will describe a few that we’ve found to give you an idea of what’s available. When you’re finished reading, please visit our Pet Urns page for more details on where you can find the products we mention.

One of my favorites is a take off on the traditional boxy urn. You can choose from 3 different wood colors (real wood) and there’s also a little plaque that goes on the front that can include up to 3 lines of text. The nicest part of it is the cat figurine affixed to the top of the box. There are several breeds, colors and positions to choose from so you will be able to have a reasonable likeness of your cat.

Another option is a ceramic cat urn. Available in black or white, standing, sleeping or resting and large enough to accommodate your pet’s remains it’s a beautiful addition to any home. It’s definitely unique. And no one need know what it represents to you if that’s the way you prefer it.

If you would prefer an outdoor reminder for your garden, you can purchase a rock urn. It’s made of synthetic materials with granite flakes on the outside. Designed with all different kinds of weather in mind, it can be a permanent fixture outdoors - or you can place it indoors if you prefer.

I hope that gives you a better idea of what’s available in terms of unique cat urns, and that you find the perfect one for you and your pet.

About the Author

Tara Pearce is the author and webmaster of http://www.pet-memorials-info.com/unique-cat-urns.htm

Visit our site for information on pet memorial, pet urns, pet caskets and pet loss sympathy gifts.

http://www.pet-memorials-info.com

The stay can be a difficult command for your dog to grasp, as it involves you leaving them alone, and them staying in one set location until instructed otherwise. For a young dog that is used to being with you, or simply used to being able to roam at will, the command to stay in one spot, is one that he/she may not even want to heed. Keeping with this thought, you as the owner want to enable your dog to make the association between behavior and consequence. (Operant Conditioning)
Steps To Teaching The Stay
Best taught while leashed

a. Place your dog in a sit, or down.

b. Stand in front of your dog and place your hand out with palm
facing your dog. (Stop sign.) (At same time tell your dog to stay.)

c. The dog will probably try to sniff your hand, this is ok.

d. If your dog stays sitting or lying, toss him/her treats, verbally praise. If you want, you can have a by-stander holding the dog’s leash in order to halt the dog’s movements immediately

e. Continue drill until dog will stay in the same spot with you progressively backing away.

f. If at anytime your dog attempts to move, return to dog and return him/her back into previous position. (Redo drill. Make sure to back away at small intervals from your dog, giving him/her time to react to your movements.) (If using a third person, get them to return the dog to position.)

g. Once your dog has a basic understanding of the command, you can add distractions to test comprehension.
The basic attempt of you the owner is to convey to the dog that compliance will only lead to a positive outcome. Remember the more you fuss over your dog on succeeding with the command, the faster your dog will make the association. Keep in mind, teach your dog the command and make sure he/she knows the command before using corrections to stop defiantness.

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Help could not come soon enough for the residents of New Orleans
and the surrounding Gulf areas. But for devoted animal owners
rescue came at a price…leave your pet behind. Having a plan in
place before disaster strikes can save both you and your pet’s
lives. Here’s what to do now.

General Helpful Hints

1 If you live in an apartment, consider putting an “animals
inside” sign on your door. In case of fire, your pet’s chances
of survival may increase if the firemen know.

2 Keep carrying cases, leads, etc. in an easily accessible
location. If you must leave quickly, time spent looking for
these items is time lost.

Know Your Neighbors

The help of a good neighbor can sometimes be your first line of
defense.

1. Exchange your house or apartment key with a trusted neighbor.
Exchanging keys with a neighbor offers the benefit of proximity.
Should an unexpected crisis arise, your neighbor can reach your
pets quickly. Friends or family may not know about the problem
until it is too late.

2. Make a Plan. Discuss what to do in case of emergency. Do you
have a cell phone? Make certain your neighbor has the number as
well as any additional telephone numbers where you can be
reached such as work or family. Write them on an index card in
bold, large print, and laminate it.

3. Fido, Buffy, Max, Celia, Snorky… If you have more than one
pet, make certain your neighbor has the following information:

a. The Number of Pets You Have. If they know how many pets they
need to find, chances increase greatly all will be rescued.

b. What Type of Animals You Have. If Celia is a goldfish and
your neighbor is looking for a dog, Celias’ chances of rescue
drop. Make certain you are clear regarding the type of animal
your neighbor should find.

c. Location of Pets In Your Home. This is important for caged
animals such as birds, snakes, hamsters, etc. Do you keep your
dog penned in the backyard? Let them know. The less time your
neighbor spends searching for your pets, the more time they have
to get them out quickly and safely.

d. Hi. My Name Is… If your neighbor can’t find your pet, they
may respond if their names are called. Will they come when you
whistle? Tell your neighbor. The more specific information they
have, the better your pet’s chance of rescue.

On the Road Again

Before you leave for a vacation or an extended trip, talk with
the person who will be caring for your pets. Make certain it is
someone you trust such as a responsible family member, friend,
or neighbor. If you use a pet sitting service, check their
credentials before you leave. Ask for names of other clients who
have used their services and call them to see if they were
pleased. Better to know before you go rather than returning to
an unpleasant surprise.

Discuss specifically what your sitter would do if a crisis
arises and always leave contact numbers where you can be reached
(hotel, cell phone, etc). Points to consider:

1. If a problem occurs, will your sitter take your pets until
you return? If not, give them the name and telephone number of a
friend, family member, kennel or doggy spa they can contact to
take your pets.

2. If an evacuation occurs, will your sitter take your pets?

3. In case of evacuation, give your sitter the telephone number
of a family member or friend outside the effected area who can
act as a contact. If you and your sitter cannot reach each
other, you can each call the contact who can help relay
information.

4. If one must leave the area, prearrange with family or friends
within driving distance to take your pets. If you have more than
one pet, ask in advance to make certain they can house all of
them. If not, find others who can.

Name, Rank and Serial Number

Make certain your pets have proper identification. Include your
last name and telephone number as well as the pet’s name on the
ID tag. If you have one, consider using a cell phone number in
case you and your pet are separated and you can’t go home.

Your Little Black Book

Begin collecting important telephone numbers and information now
so you have them if you need them. To gather this information,
conduct an Internet search for your area or contact animal
associations such as the ASPCA or The Humane Society. Your list
should also include your vet and a 24 hour animal hospital.

1. Pet Friendly Shelters: Many shelters may not accept pets in
need of a temporary safe haven, but some do. Find the ones in
your areas just in case.

2. Dog Friendly Lodging: Should you be displaced, know where to
go. If you can’t reach friends or family, the names, addresses,
and telephone numbers of hotels and motels which accept pets can
be a life saver.

3. Animal Rescue Centers. Even the best laid plans go astray. If
this happens, call your local animal shelter or vet and ask if
they can provide assistance. If you have more than one pet,
confirm that they will be able to take them all.

4. Here are a few starting points for more information.

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
American Veterinary Medical Foundation American Humane
Association Petfinder.com

If You Must Evacuate

If the situation becomes so dire you must leave, consider the
following. Generally, time is of the essence.

1. Leave as quickly as possible and take your pets with you!
Don’t leave your pets behind thinking you can return and get
them. Very often, you will not be permitted to return until the
crisis is over.

2. If you are driving, load up the animals and hit the road. If
you can’t take your pets where you are going, use your back up
family member or friend plan first. Then your dog friendly
lodging or rescue shelter options. If worse comes to worse, you
may be able to find someone along the way who can help you.

3. If you cannot take your pet(s) to a safe place and you MUST
evacuate, help improve your pet’s chances to stay alive. Make
certain dogs are unchained or uncaged. Pets left alone will rely
on their natural instincts to survive.

Dogs are susceptible to various skin problems — which can be frustrating for owners who want to see Fido comfortable and happy. Does your dog have a skin problem, and if so, how do you fix it?

That depends on the symptoms you see. Of course, the most common sign of a possible skin problem in your dog is constant, excessive itching. Other symptoms include fur loss, either localized in a certain location or spread across the dog’s entire body. More severe cases may involve redness in the skin, changes in skin pigmentation or even open sores that your dog constantly licks.

No particular symptom necessarily proves your four-footed friend has a certain type of skin disorder, and you’ll need to investigate other areas before you draw conclusions. While it’s common and helpful for veterinarians to diagnose skin problems, it’s also essential for dog owners like you to familiarize yourself with typical canine skin problems, so you can react quickly and keep his discomfort to a minimum.

Fleas, Lice and Ticks

One of the most common problems in dogs is the presence of fleas, lice and ticks, which are parasites that live on the surface of the skin and feed on the dog’s blood. These parasites’ saliva causes skin irritation and results in intense scratching.

Lice and ticks can be detected visually when you check your dog’s fur, while fleas are hard to spot with the naked eye. However, fleas cause red pimple marks on the skin and also can be spotted through the black, gritty trail of “dirt” they leave on a dog’s belly.

While you can remove ticks and lice with tweezers — applying alcohol to relax the tick’s grip before doing so — you can also adopt more general methods. For instance, you can give your dog a dip with special tick shampoo to eliminate ticks. Flea sprays or flea powder can also be applied to the dog to kill parasites. But all these require persistence and it may be a while before you see results.

One of the best methods to keep your dog comfortable is to prevent ticks from living off your dog in the first place through the use of a spot-on product, such as FrontLine or BioSpot. To apply these chemicals, you drip a small amount onto the back of your dog’s neck once a month. The chemical spreads throughout the dog’s skin and kills parasites — including the eggs and larvae. When regularly treated, your dog becomes an unattractive host.

Mange

Mange is a skin problem caused by mites that burrow underneath the dog’s skin, causing intense and even agonizing itching. Bald spots or inflamed red skin are common symptoms of mange. Two types of mange exist in dogs: sarcoptic mange and demodectic mange, depending on the kind of mite involved.

Most dogs carry the mites involved in demodectic mange or demodex. However, these mites usually do not cause itching except when they suddenly multiply into huge numbers. This may happen in young puppies, or in dogs with decreased natural body defenses, sometimes from stress.

On the other hand, Sacroptic mange or scabies causes intense itching in the dog as the mites burrow under the skin and even lay their eggs there. This causes large red spots on the dog’s skin, and sometimes fur loss on the ears and elbows. Scabies can infect humans as well and cause itchiness, although infection in humans usually disappears by itself after a while. However, it is still important for people to seek treatment if they get infected.

Treatment for mange requires patience and time, as eliminating them or lowering the mite population takes a while to take effect. The best way to kill the mites is to soak your dog in a lime and sulfur medicated dip for 10 to 15 minutes a few times in a week. The dip should not be washed off, but left to dry on your dog’s skin and fur. During this time, it’s best to watch your dog closely and prevent him from licking himself dry. As a further precaution, you can feed him a raw egg to line his stomach before dipping him in the solution. This way, even if he does lick himself, the solution won’t be absorbed on an empty stomach.

When fighting mange, it’s also important to support your dog with the highest quality diet you can find, to improve his immune system. Healing from mange will take a lot of his internal resources. You might consider looking into the raw diet for dogs and avoiding any corn or rice-based products for the time being.

About the Author: Blake Kritzberg is proprietor of Poodle-oo: Fashion for Toy Dogs. Stop by for toy dog couture and home decor, free toy dog postcards and the Toy Dog Blog.
http://www.poodle-oo.com/

Source: www.isnare.com