Posts from — January 2006

When you have an aquarium, you want to dress it up with aquarium accessories. There
are many different types of accessories you can buy depending on the type of fish you
have and whether you have a saltwater or a freshwater aquarium. For a saltwater
aquarium you can add coral and in this line there are many different kinds to choose
from. Rocks are other accessories that you can add, such as carved rainbow rock, lace
rock, carved tufa or carved lava. For saltwater aquariums, you can also have shells of all
kinds to make the aquarium appear as close as possible to the natural habitat of the fish.

Accessories for freshwater aquariums also include the same type of rocks as you can have
in saltwater tanks. However, you can also add aquarium driftwood to an aquarium with
fresh water in it. The driftwood comes from swamplands and sinks naturally to the
bottom of the aquarium. You don’t have to worry that it will float on the top and possibly
injure some of your fish. The driftwood is naturally brown in color and you can buy
attached to a brown slate rock or separately.

Apart from decorations for your aquarium, you also need accessories such as pumps and
filters to keep the water free from toxic waste that could be harmful to the fish. Cleaning
products for the aquarium include such things as magnets and a pad replacement kit for
the glass or acrylic in the tank.

You will also need to have additives for the water. For example, if you have a saltwater
aquarium, a reef solution is an all-purpose additive that helps to enhance the environment
for the fish. It helps to keep the fish healthy and safe. For freshwater aquariums, there is
also a solution you can use to stimulate the appetite of the tropical fish .

For lots of helpful information on

aquariums-guide.com/ aquariums and related topics, visit The

Aquariums Guide at aquariums-guide.com/ aquariums-guide.com

If you enjoy grooming your pets and the sight of your neighbour’s unkempt dog sets your imagination racing, perhaps you need to try your hand at a pet grooming career.

Pet grooming careers are meant for those who are willing to handle both compliant and stubborn pets. You may be lucky to get some pets that are amenable to the grooming process. However, you must also be prepared to face the occasional biting and scratching pet. You will have to be careful and at the same time willing to take risks with certain difficult pets. Remaining alert and following safety procedures during grooming will ensure that you do not end up with cuts and bites.

So, patience and the right attitude are prerequisite traits for those interested in pet grooming careers.

As is the case with all careers, you should have a proper understanding of the subject. This you can achieve by getting a good education through a pet grooming course. You should try to select a quality pet grooming school with the longest course duration because it will mean that you will acquire a greater amount of knowledge as well as practical training, which will be immensely beneficial in a pet grooming career.

After taking a course, it is a good idea to do an apprenticeship so that you learn first hand under the watchful eyes of an expert. This way you will be able to avoid mistakes made by first timers.

So, if you have love for animals, patience and the right approach to boot, you should step into the shoes of a professional pet groom for a rewarding career in pet grooming.

For more such articles visit home-gyms-fitness.com home-gyms-fitness.com

Ravi Agarwal is publisher of dating-tips website – petgroomingtip.com petgroomingtip.com

He has written several informative articles on pet grooming tips topics.

An interesting fact about the Empress Dowager of the Chinese Imperial Palace is that there is only one known photo of her with Shih Tzu. The photo was taken around 1903 and shows Hai-Ling (Sea Otter) pictured at the Empress’s feet. Also in the picture is her Chief Eunuch of the Royal Kennel and her Ladies-In-Waiting. The photograph is now at the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives Smithsonian Institute.

The Exmpress Dowager had dozens of pet Shih Tzu. Some were particularly favored and two were priviledged characters. Among these was one of the Skye variety, most intelligent and clever at tricks. One of his tricks was that he would lie dead at Her Majesty’s command and never move until she told him to, no matter how many others spoke to him. Another of her favorites was for his beauty. He was a fawn-colored Pekingese pug (not a Shih Tzu) with large, pale brown, liquid eyes. He was devoted to her, and she was very fond of him, but he was not easily taught, even as a puppy, so she called him Shadza (fool).

It is possible the Skye Terrier was the solid-black Shih Tzu in the only known photo of the Princess with her Shih Tzu. It had been noted that this particular dog followed the Princess wherever she went…..and her Majesty thought it beautiful and called it Hai-ling (sea otter).

The Empress Dowager was in reign for nearly 50 years of China and during this time she had many more favorites. She was also fond of an unpleasant, smelly mongrel dog she called Chiang (Ginger), which showed great intuition in detecting and biting any person T’zu Hsi did not like. It was odd that she preferred this nasty one to the many beautiful, well-bred Pekingese in her kennels. Ginger is well known in history as biting some of the most prominent Chinese men and women of the time.

(I THINK I WOULD HAVE BE FOND OF GINGER MYSELF). Shih Tzu can become very devoted to their loved ones and very perceptive of their feelings and moods, which is another wonderful, endearing trait that keeps me so attracted to the breed.

When I think of the Imperial Palace and the Empress Dowager, I often only think of Shih Tzu, but in these early accounts of the Empress, she apparently had some kind of Terriers and Pekingese, which most likely she bred together even in those early days to come up with the Shih Tzu as we know it today.

I have two Shih Tzu in particular at my house, Danny and Jane-Jane. They are brother and sister and almost look identical to each other. I call them my “twins.” They are both under 6 lbs. at 8 months of age. I hope to use my Danny Boy as an imperial/teacup stud eventually.

Danny and Jane Jane have the favored golden color from the palace, the tiny size which was probably the size eventually most favored in the Palace, and they have a slight Pekingese look as well.

In all the Shih Tzu I have seen, I have never seen any that resemble these. I keep them in a favorite place at my house. The Shih Tzu is related to the Pekingese incidentally. The breeding between the Shih Tzu and the Pekingese took place especially to reduce size.

I have a special page on my website of Danny and Jane Jane. Please come visit us. However, I do not have Shih Tzu as faithful as the Empress’s Ginger. None of mine bite!

Connie Limon publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. A professional newsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you and your pets. Coupons for shih tzu puppies and other products are offered to subscribers. Updates of available puppies. Sign up at stainglassshihtzus.com stainglassshihtzus.com

Traveling in the summer when it gets hot outside can be challenging for you and your pet, especially if you’re in a car for a short or a long-distance. To make the experience more enjoyable for you and your pet, ensure your pet is in a pet carrier. Did you know that the temperature in your car can get up to 200°F? Of course, this depends on the kind of vehicle you have and how long it’s been in the sun. Most people are aware that leaving small children or animals in the car with all the windows rolled up and is definitely dangerous! Keeping the windows rolled down somewhat may relieve the pressure in the vehicle and keep the windows from blowing out from the heat, but it doesn’t prevent the temperature from rising.

Here are a few items that you should bear in mind to make the trip more enjoyable. Parking in the shade is always a wise idea, but if you’re in a shopping mall parking lot, remember to point your car east instead of west as parking in the direction where the sun will be shining on your car window does not make sense. Make sure your vehicle has window tinting or some sort of sunshade material. If you can’t afford to have window tinting done, then place a windshield sunshade inside your windshield. This will do a lot to reduce the heat in your vehicle. Remember to have your vehicle serviced regularly especially in hot dry climates as batteries die faster than everyone thinks they will. There would be nothing worse than having your dog confined to a pet carrier with no supply of cool air!

Using a good pet carrier will help a small amount to keep your pet comfortable in a warm car, but nothing goes further than common sense, so if parking in the shade means you walk a slightly farther distance, the confidence that your pet is cool and comfortable is its own reward. Also, remember to bring along extra water for drinking for you and your pet. Both of you will be much happier when you apply these practical touches to your next summer car trip.

By Terry Price- Remember to visit pet-supply-discount.com/pet-id-tags.html pet-supply-discount.com/pet-id-tags.html for a great resource on pet carriers and online pet supply.

Dogs for some reason tend to receive eye injuries more in some breeds than other breeds. Some other health problems of the eye contribute to irritations of the eye and may require medical attention before the problem affects the dogs sight. Dogs have problems with conjunctivitis and other eyes problems.

Red eyes, swollen eyes and weepy eyes are signs of something wrong and should be checked by your veterinarian to determine if is caused by an allergy or a more serious health problem such as conjunctivitis. The problem may also be the result of an injury if the dog plays with other dogs or cats with claws. If the dog has conjunctivitis, itching the eye by the dog may irate the eyes even more. Viruses, allergies, bacterial and parasites can cause conjunctivitis in the dog.

Sometime this problem accompanies another infection such as a respiratory problem. Diagnosis by your vet should confirm the type of eye infection and follow up with an antibiotic as long as there is no other underlying problem. Conjunctivitis is contagious and needs immediate care before spreading the infection to other dogs.

Dog Eye Health and Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca
Insufficient fluid in the tear film results in keratoconjunctivitis sicca and produces thick mucus that has a thin coat over the eye in some cases. Treatments for this problem are a stimulant and an anti-inflammatory reducer. Your vet will be able to diagnosis this problem without expensive tests in most cases.

Dog Eye Health Chronic Superficial Keratitis
The common name for this condition is degenerative pannus, which normally affects German Shepherds. Some other dog breed suffers this condition although this is very rare. The superficial blood vessels and pigmentation of the eye are affected when this health problem exists. Although not painful for the dog, left untreated loss of vision will occur.

Dog Eye Health Cherry Eye and Swelling of the Eyelids
Parasites, bacterial, dermatitis, neoplasia and viruses can cause inflammation to the eye. This may be caused by the sun, metabolic disease or trauma. Treatment varies depending on the condition and the severity. A prolaspe of the third eyelid gland is Cherry eye, which is not serious. Pekinese, Beagles and Cocker Spaniels seem to be prone to Cherry eye more than other breeds of dogs. Treatment for this condition is removal of the gland involved.

Dog Eye Health Queratitis
This condition is an inflammation to the eye, specifically the cornea, caused by a scrape or scratch, bacterial or a virus. To prevent an ulcer the infection needs immediate attention. Do not try to treat this condition yourself as more damage could result from improper medications such as eye drops.

Eyes need to be cleaned daily to ensure that any foreign objects or dirt which can irritate the eye. Most breeds of dogs can produce tears to rid the eye from these things, but the Cocker Spaniel breed does not have enough tear secretion to clean the eye by itself, so help is needed.

You can also find more info on aboutdoghealth.org/doghealthproblems/licking.html dog licking problem and aboutdoghealth.org/doghealthproblems/dog-health-in-older-problem.html health problems in older dog. AboutDogHealth.org is a comprehensive resource to help dog owners identify their dog’s illness symptoms and treatment options.

Spay Day USA events will take place all over the nation on February 22. What is Spay Day? It is an annual spay and neuter campaign in the USA to help reduce the vast numbers of unwanted pets that are put to sleep each year.

More than 12 million unwanted dogs and cats are euthanized in shelters each year. Millions more than this are abandoned as strays in rural and urban areas. The Doris Day Foundation’s annual Spay Day USA is a national campaign to bring these numbers down.

There is absolutely no need for so many of these animals to suffer unecessarily. In many cases, people simply do not even think about the consequences of not having their pets spayed or neutered. If you don’t want a handful of kittens or puppies than take care of it.

If you don’t take care of it and end up with kittens than please find them good homes. So many people just let them roam and only escalate the problem.

If you find you have a pet that needs to be spayed or neutered then check with your local veterinarian. Many veterinary clinics run specials on Spay Day in support of the campaign.

If you’re not going to take care of the kittens that could be then make sure they aren’t born into a life of being unwanted.

So you’ve decided to grow your family. Chance meetings with dogs are on the increase. At the magazine stand a friendly pooch stares out of the pages at you. Late night reruns are suddenly awash with dogs – from Turner and Hooch to 101 Dalmatians! Even your friends are gushing about their new furred family addition! Your heart has been played and a dog it is. Now what? Where do you go to get a dog and how do you select one?

Your options are many and may be as simple as accepting a puppy as a gift from a friend who’s just been blessed with a new litter. Chances are this is not going to be the case. Your choice should be governed by several considerations. Lets go over some of the logistics:

1. Have dogs always been part of your life? If so you can proceed with a slightly higher degree of certainty and comfort as to what you are looking for. More than likely you will want a dog of similar size, breed and temperament as the one you grew up with. If you’ve never owned a dog before, you may want to do some homework first.

2. Do you live in a house with a yard, a townhouse or a condominium? Although I have seen big dogs on city streets it is my opinion that they are best suited for a house with a yard. All dogs like to be played with but a big dog is best played with out in the yard where there is more room for him to romp around and run without having to be careful about furniture and furnishings. Small dogs on the other hand can play tug of war and other games in the house without disrupting your décor.

3. If the dog will be joining a family with young children you need to consider its temperament. It is no wonder that the Labrador and the Golden Retriever are a favored breed with families – they are at once protective, gentle and indulgent of small humans and incredibly forgiving of the prying and prodding of their tiny hands!

If on the other hand you and dog will form a family of two, you can opt for all kinds of other considerations. You probably have a breed in mind. If you want a purebred, go to a dog show or twol. Not only will you see some fine dogs of your preferred breed, but you can also compare them to other breeds of similar size. I remember when we were looking for a dog but were not sure whether we wanted a Rotweiler or a Weimeraner, we attended such a show and absolutely fell in love with an English Mastiff! I would never trade him! Ok. Big difference in size but it’s a breed we would not have even thought of had we not seen one at a dog show.

4. Purebred or mutt? The advantage of a purebred is that you know what the puppy will grow up to look like and you know what its main characteristics are. A sheltie is a herding dog and very protective. A Shepherd or a Doberman make for good guard dogs. A mutt on the other hand, unless already grown, is more of a mystery. Of indeterminate breed(s), that cute little ball of fur may end up growing into quite a large dog with who knows what characteristics. A mutt, I have heard it said, is the true original dog – it is one of a kind, a true designer dog! A truly rare pedigree!

5. Breeder or the animal shelter? Definitely, if you have settled on a purebred, you want to get your puppy from a reputable breeder. There is probably a local breeder that you can visit. Your visit will tell you a lot about both the breeder and the dog you will bring home. Make sure the facilities are clean, the dogs well cared for and it would be good if you could have a reference or two.

Our animal shelters are overcrowded. Mostly mistakes, sometimes abandoned or just given up, these dogs make for excellent companions. Once again, if this dog is coming home to a family with young children, a puppy would probably be a better choice. If on the other hand, the children are older or its just you, an adult dog will give you just as much pleasure and joy. The advantage here is that it is probably already house trained and there are no surprises as to what it will look like when it is grown! Pound mutts come with a pedigree all their own and are much lighter on the wallet too!

Whatever your choice remember that this is a lifetime commitment. Bringing a dog into your life is not a spur of the moment decision. A dog is a life, it needs nurturing and loving, caring and giving. You’ll be rewarded with sloppy kisses, adoration and unconditional love. Happiness is a two way street.

Valentina Bellicova is a traveler, an author, and a speaker. An ardent student of life she observes that every life is bettered with the companionship of a dog. Visit her online dog emporium at sitbooboosit.com sitbooboosit.com

The black Pomeranian is a very popular and sought after puppy for its many fine personality attributes as well as for the colour. Most Pomeranians tend to be tan or blended colours with oranges and red being most prominent and common colours of Pomeranians however every now and then a rare gem with be born that is an enterirely black Pomeranian. Lets look at some of the most attractive and well liked personality traits and physical traits of not only the black Pomeranian but all Pomeranians in general as the colour has very little if anything to do with the actual personality or appearance.

Pomeranian Traits

In order to properly paint the mental picture for what these dogs look like in a very generalized manner, the black Pomeranian is a very small and short dog that is extremely intelligent in appearance. The dogs have a very coarse textured hair for the over coat and the under coat is very thick with a tail that is set high and curls around to lay flat on the dogs back. The black Pomeranians are very active and ‘bossy’ and are naturally nosy by nature as they are very vivacious and energetic.

Proportion and Size

Generally the black Pomeranian like most other Pomeranians range in size from 4-7 pounds and typically have very short legs. The Pomeranians as a whole are constructed of medium bone size, which surprises many due to the very small size of the dog itself however; they aren’t brittle or tiny and are actually quite sturdy dogs. The length of the black Pomeranians legs will be in direct proportion to the frame of the dog and generally don’t deviate much from that look no matter the color of the specific Pomeranian.

The Coat

The black Pomeranian can require more grooming than a lighter color due to the fact that black picks up everything and you can see the dog’s hair as dirty more often than those that are lighter in color. As was mentioned in the first part of the article, the hair is very thick under the outer coat while the outer coat is very coarse. The thick undercoat tends to stand up and hold the outer coat up in order to stand off from the body of the dog and it typically called ‘guard hair’. If the guard hair is standing surely there is danger around because Pomeranians are extremely intelligent.

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Bathing your dog may pose quite a challenge for some of you, pet owners, especially if your dog is the type who would be running away when it knows that is time for its regular bath. We all want clean and good smelling dogs to cuddle with, so it is important to give your dogs a regular bath. Your dogs are also at a lesser risk to having skin diseases if you regularly keep him clean.

Brush your dog

It is ideal that prior to bathing your dog, you brush its coat to remove any dusts or sediments on your dog’s coat as well as to get rid of hair tangles. This is important so that the hair that your dog may shed while being bathed will not clog your drain or float in the tub water. There are a variety of combs and brushes available on the market depending on what type would suit your dog’s fur.

Gather everything you need

It is best that before getting your dog onto the tub or wash basin, you have everything that you will need in order. Remember that you need to watch over your dog while giving him a bath in case he wants to escape. With your full attention upon your dog, you wouldn’t have the luxury of time to be looking for the stuff that you need to use and it is practical for these items to be within arm’s reach.

Also, most dogs would sense that they will be having a bath especially if they hear the sound of running water. Fill the tub ahead with water to avoid further struggles with your pet. Ensure that the water is lukewarm, neither hot nor cold. Dogs just like humans dislike having cold baths.

Here are some of the essentials that you will need when giving your dog a bath: a leash if you need to control your dog, comb or brush (especially for dogs with thick or long hair), shampoo (you could also include conditioner though it is optional) and towel to dry your dog or you may also use a hairdryer if you like. You can find numerous pet shops and online stores offering dog bathing kits that will contain essential needs for a doggie bath.

The dog bath

Most experts suggest that you work your way from the head all the way down. Start to clean and shampoo from the head down to the tail. Make sure to clean every part of your dog’s body. If your dog is uncomfortable at first, you may start from the neck down, and then opt to use just a washcloth to clean your dog’s face and avoid getting water into their ears and eyes. You can find though eye gels that will protect your dog’s eyes and ear solutions that ensure the ear will be dry after the bath. Rinse thoroughly after applying shampoo and conditioner (optional). Your dog’s skin will itch if you don’t rinse properly. Dry your dog with a towel and you may even use a hairdryer. Using the hairdryer all the time is not advisable for this could dry your dog’s hair. Brush your dog’s hair if it needs one.

With just the right way, you and your dog will have a great time as you give it its regular bath. If you just make it fun and enjoyable for your dog, for sure it’ll be anticipating when its next bath will be.

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A wild bear taken by poachers may have less than a 60% chance of surviving the non-medical procedure to create a permanent open wound in his stomach from which bile can be drained, twice every day. Bile that’s used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

In the wild, where he’s free to roam, this bear might live to 25. Instead, if he survives the non-medical procedure he may live up to 10 years kept in a tiny cage, thrashing against the bars because he’s unable to move around. Under-nourished and over-stressed, he’ll be forced to lie there in pain, in his own filth.

Farming bears for their bile is perfectly legal in China. And very profitable. But totally unnecessary. There are many TCM alternatives that do what bear bile is claimed to. Needless over production means an estimated 9,000 bears are tortured each day so their bile can also be used in shampoo, wine and even tea. This unwarranted procedure can be prevented with your help.

Giving each month is important because it takes time, money and persistence to achieve legislation that outlaws cruelty to animals, to build and establish sanctuaries to rehabilitate rescued animals, and to change attitudes to animal welfare through education of children and communities. We also need resources to answer urgent calls for help from around the world.

WSPA UK – World Society for the Protection of Animals.

If you love animals can donate at salegoodsonline.com/url/WSPAUK/ salegoodsonline.com/url/WSPAUK/

By donating £3 a month to the World Society for the Protection of Animals, you can help us free animals from cruel practices like bear farming.