Posts from — October 2007

Labradors are a breed of dog which makes great pets, due to their loving, loyal and affectionate nature. Common types include black/chocolate Labradors, and golden retrievers, so-called because of their original duties of diving into the waters off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, in the 17th CE, to fetch the fishing nets from trawlers. They cost around £300-£500 to buy, and can prove relatively cheap to look after, living up to the age of 15 (human) years old. These pets become very much a part of the family, and as each dog has its individual tendencies and characteristics, they can prove very difficult to replace. If they are from a good breed, veterinary bills can often be low, as they are rarely sick. Male dogs should be neutered, in order to prevent any scent marking, over zealous sexual behavior and fighting with other males.

They are very active and energetic dogs, and therefore need plenty of exercise – ideally they should be taken for a walk twice a day, as they can become irritable and sometimes destructive if left to their own devices for too long. Labradors are not particularly fussy eaters, and in fact experts recommend that they are given the same types of fresh fruit, vegetables and meats that humans consume, in order to provide the best balanced diet. Many dog foods available commercially include a large proportion of these ingredients, but the key thing to look for when purchasing it is the word ‘fresh’. Dog foods that contain too many waste products, artificial preservatives and processed meats can lead to conditions such as obesity, which can be hard to reverse, especially as the dog gets older. The basic rule of thumb when devising a dog’s diet is not to feed them anything you wouldn’t eat yourself. Their coats are waterproof, and have a natural shine, which can be enhanced through their diet. Grooming is also important in order to keep their coats healthy and looking their best.

Labradors are highly intelligent creatures, who love to play (especially in water due to their backgrounds in the fishing industry), and are easily trained from a young age, which is why so many are used as guide dogs and sniffer dogs. House training is relatively straightforward, and the dogs can be taught where to go to the toilet, and the general ‘house rules’ from a very young age. Elder dogs can also be trained, although it is advisable to do so when they are puppies to ensure best results. Due to their characteristics, Labradors often make superb family pets, and are very child-friendly. As with humans, they crave attention, and very much need to feel loved, and part of the family environment. They are relatively quiet, yet hugely enthusiastic and can provide the family with hours of quality entertainment. They are non-aggressive, kind and eager to please; they certainly aren’t dull, and their boundless energy means they will play for hours on end without getting bored or disinterested. Labradors most certainly are a breed where the phrase ‘man’s best friend’ could never be truer.

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Still remember that very moment when you first laid your eyes on your now, ever still most beloved pet? Feeling that very special bond between the both of you when you pick up that little fellow? It was sure such a sweet moment isn’t it? That little fellow just looks so adorable staring so innocently at you didn’t it? Little could we have ever imagine that, that little life would one day grow up to be old and eventually leave us.

Thinking back now, I know you would certainly miss it even dearly. Please feel ashamed do not, should it even bring you tears. It’s truly alright to be feeling so. Losing our most beloved pet can be just as hurting as losing our very loved ones. A part of the family, I believe you would have already long regarded it as. The same would be, for most of our pet owners, I deeply believe too.

At such a grieving time, it’s just natural for us, pet owners to feel the strong desire to communicate the loss of our most dearly loved and missed pet. But sometimes it is just so sad that few, even our close friends could understand our grief. “C’mon just get yourself a new one”, that is always a very hurting remark to be hearing. Because of such hurting remarks, many pet owners are very reluctant to disclose their immense grief over the loss of their pets, keeping everything to themselves.

It would usually take quite a while before one could actually get over the loss, getting back to their normal self again. But nevertheless, please do not feel ashamed in anyway should you be feeling so. Remember, you are not the only one.

Well perhaps, creating an online memorial dedicating it specially to your ever most beloved pet would be a nice way to communicate your loss, helping to cope with your grief. Likewise, it would actually be also a meaningful way of a creating an ever-lasting tribute in memory of your dearly lost pet.

There are actually quite a couple of wonderful sites providing such thoughtful services. With an online memorial page dedicated specially for your pet, you can put down in your very words, all your truthful thoughts and sentiments on it. To share all those wonderful moments and stories of your beloved pet with friends and family all over the world, not forgetting the lots of other pet lovers out there whom would deeply understand your feelings. Many of these pet owners have also created that special memorial page in memory of their wonderful pets. Looking at these wonderful memorial pages sure bring back so much fond memories. Photographs of your pet can nevertheless be included in the memorial page too, creating an even lasting memory for all. Likewise, an online pet monument service is also available from some of these sites.

Well whatever the case may be, our special pet friends have without doubts, truly dedicate their life to entertaining us, unconditionally loving us, cheering us up when we were down, been such a great companion ever. To be always remembered, they certainly deserved to be. An online memorial or monument of an ever-lasting memory of them will definitely be a truthful and meaningful gift to be dedicated to our special pet friends.

Rick Valens

Freelance Writer for ecemetery.org ecemetery.org,
Monument of Eternal Memory

Currently also staff writer for loveletterbox.com loveletterbox.com,
Love Relationship Discussion Forum

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Bred for their intelligence and herding instincts, Border Collies are descended from British herding dogs. A medium sized dog, Border Collies will grow to about 19 to 22 inches and 30 to 45 pounds. They will live about 12 to 15 years. Border Collies have medium to longer hair that comes in a variety of colors and are prone to shedding. Border Collies need to be brushed regularly to keep the coat healthy and dirt free. Border Collies are also known for their stare. Though their eyes can be brown, amber or blue, it is the Border Collie stare that people remember. This is part of the herding instinct, and a Border Collie will attempt to herd almost anything, including cars and children.

Great care must be taken with a Border Collie to ensure it does not hurt itself or others. A fenced in yard and plenty of leash training is a must with this breed. Border Collies are easy to train due to their intelligence, but, because of their desire to work, Border Collies must have work to do. If they are not given tasks to perform and room to roam, they will become bored and destructive.

They must have a lot of stimulation and activity to stay happy. Though good with children, Border Collies may attempt to herd them and, to keep the ‘herd’ in line, Border Collies have been known to nip. Border Collies usually do not do well with other animals, due to their herding instinct, and can become aggressive with other dogs of the same gender. Border Collies can be excellent household pets, but must be cared for by a family willing to give them the training, attention, care and activities they need. Border Collies are not recommended for people who live in apartments or those who do not plan on spending a lot of time with their pet.

Border Collies do have some breed specific issues. Some are prone to hip dysplasia, PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) and Collie Eye Anomaly. Many Border Collies are allergic to fleas and some are prone to epilepsy and deafness. Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) is a shoulder lameness that can develop between the ages of 4 to 12 months. Border Collies have also been known to work themselves to exhaustion and suffer from heat stroke in the hot weather.

Because Border Collies are very physically active, they are prone to athletic injuries, such as pulled muscles, cruciate ligament ruptures, cuts and punctures, ripped toenails and footpads.

There is a website that has great information on Border Collies and most other breeds of dogs. It has details that pertain to a dog breeds health, grooming, living conditions, best food choices and more, the website is called: Dog And Cat Facts, and can be found at this url =>

I have a loving heart that is clothed in fur
in mutual trust, my soul is shared with her
Her love’s the shape of infinity & forever more
and she travels with me through life’s every door

Because of her, my sorrow turns to happy tears
she banishes my stress, my grief & all my darkest fears
My beating love supports me, our link is very strong
and, I know she’ll be with me, even when she’s “gone”

My heart beats sleepily, at my feet, on the floor
Free of the sands of time in the now, after & before
she dreams of romping on a sun-drenched beach
With her, all hopes and dreams are within my reach

She has paw-hands, paw-feet, and a wagging tail
my heart is a female, but yours might be a male
It’s heaven every time we greet each other anew
with her at my side, my troubles and woes are few

Hers is the welcoming balm that always awaits me
through her eyes, the good in everything I will see
My heart clothed in fur is a smiling, happy canine
perhaps your heart is a sleek, purring, wise feline

Of her loyalty, devotion, and purpose I can be sure
and I thank the Creator for my heart clothed in fur…

Copyright 2007 Kathy Pippig Harris

~***~

A Shimmer Golden

she is there in a column of sunlight
in the glimmering dawn of a Spring day
in the shimmer of all that is golden
by your side she will always stay

her spirit drawn to your link of love
the sunny ray of your tender regard
will be with you when you are lonely
whether the times be good or hard

the softest breeze is her panting grin
a silken zephyr, her wagging tail
hers–the invisible kiss on your hand
the strength of your bond can ne’er fail

so when you see the gold motes of twilight
know that her gentle presence is near
she shall be dancing with the fireflies
joyful — free of sorrow and free of fear

with her tail awaggin’ …in the now and here

…for Missy
copyright 2007 by Kathy Pippig Harris

~***~

Kathy lives in Central California’s San Joaquin Valley with her husband and furry family. She is a published author of five novels. She states, “Were it not for her need, desire, and love of writing — she would surely go mad!”
She writes to reach the reader’s heart and mind–and make a connection.

Which cat food should you feed your cat to be certain that he or she will have the proper nutrition? What is the best mix of food to assist your cat in living to the limit of it’s life span?

Let’s examine the diet of a cat in it’s natural environment. In the wild, a cat will eat almost entirely animal tissue. But they would generally eat the entire body of the animal, including it’s stomach contents, which has a variety of nutrients which are lacking in an animals muscle tissue, such as fiber.

Cat owners often wonder if fresh meat is actually the best food for cats? The answer is:not necessarily. Unfortunately, fresh meat will not provide a balanced diet for a cat, as they are very protein dense and quite low in vital nutrients like calcium. In fact, Mainstream commercial cat food might actually have more nutrients in many respects.

Some cat owners have also asked if it’s alright to feed their cat a completely vegetarian diet. The answer to that question is simply no. Cats just can’t produce the required nutrients from a completely vegetarian food in the same way that humans can.

Being a specialized hunter, a cat has largely lost that ability during the course of evolution. Skin problems are sometimes the result of a deficiency in certain essential fatty acids which can be found in animal flesh alone. Another problem is that a deficiency of the amino acid taurine, which is a vital building block for proteins in the body. This defiency may cause both blindness and heart failure! Cats are simply born carnivores and need protein-rich food.

Is it o.k. to give a cat only dry cat food? According to petshub, the answer is yes, providing that you ensure that fresh water is available at all times.

Dry food is generally more convenient, hygienic, and affordable than canned or fresh food. It also exercises the teeth and reduces the buildup of tartar, which can grow into a severe problem in cats that are fed a soft and mushy diet.

For more detail go to For more information go to

A very important part of setting up an aquarium is the so called cycling process. This process is unfortunately neglected by many aquarium keepers who simply fill their aquarium with water, perhaps some water treatment, let the water stay for 24 hours and then rapidly scoop down their fish into their new home.

By setting some time aside to proper cycling, your aquarium will be much easier to maintain, since the cycling process aim to produce a thriving population of beneficial bacteria that will convert harmful waste products into less dangerous compounds. You need two types of beneficial bacteria in your aquarium. The first type converts ammonia into nitrite, while the other type converts nitrite into nitrate. Ammonia will be produce by the metabolism of your fish and extracted from the gills and in fish poo. High levels of ammonia are dangerous to fish, but fortunately enough there exist a group of bacteria that can convert ammonia into nitrite. Nitrite is actually even more toxic than ammonia, but the second group of bacteria will turn the nitrite into nitrate, which is much less toxic. The nitrate can then be removed by regular water changes.

The beneficial bacteria will of course need to be introduced to the aquarium, and this can be made by simply adding one or two sturdy fishes from species that cope well even with high levels of soluble waste. Their waste products will contain live bacteria than can start to colonies suitable homes in the aquarium, such as sponge filters and gravel. If you want to jump start the process, you can purchase a bacterial solution from the fish store that contains the right type of nitrifying bacteria. You can also use gravel or sponge from an already established aquarium when you set up a new one, but you should keep in mind that this can introduce benevolent bacteria as well.

Another method of cycling the aquarium is the so called “fish less cycle”. This cycling method is much less frequently used compared to the one that uses cycling fish, but it has grown increasingly popular during the last few years. During fish less cycling, you will add small amounts of pure ammonia to the water together with nitrifying bacteria and wait for them to form large colonies. You will need a test kit to measure the amounts of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Investing in a test kit is however a good idea even if you use fish to cycle your aquarium.

A third cycling method uses plants and is commonly referred to as “silent cycling”. This method requires a densely planted aquarium with thriving plants. You should therefore avoid sensitive, demanding and slow growing plant species. During the silent cycling, the plants will consume nitrogenous compounds and use them as nutrition. Aquarium keepers that are fond of this method like it since it does not produce the ammonia and nitrate spikes that are common during other forms of cycling. You should keep in mind that when plants absorb nitrogenous compounds they incorporate them leaves and stems. If the plant, or a part of the plant, dies and starts to decay, the compounds will therefore be re-released into the water. Pruning the aquatic plants and removing any dead parts are therefore important.

Allen Jesson writes for several sites including two sites that specialize in
saltwaterfreshwateraquarium.com salt
water and fresh water aquariums and

Correcting Your Dog

You have to correct your dog the right way or you will do more harm than good. We use corrections to change a dog’s behavior. A correction needs to communicate to your dog it has not done what you wished, by learning what not to do, dogs will quickly learn the behaviors we need to teach them to fit into our daily life.

A correction combines physical or (preferably) emotional pain with the word “NO.” The preferred method of correcting your dog is with a squirt bottle: a quick squirt to the face and a loud firm “NO.” It is important you squirt the dog in the face or they will not even notice. With many dogs you will want to add a small amount of mouthwash or vinegar to the water in the squirt bottle (just a small amount) so the water is a little more of a deterrent. You should only add a teaspoon for a whole squirt bottle and even less for smaller squirt guns.

It is very important to recognize the difference between correction and punishment. Punishment has nothing to do with teaching your dog proper behavior and everything to do with you venting your anger. Trying to correct a dog for instance for an ‘accident’ in the house you find even a couple minutes later must be avoided. The dog has long forgotten his transgression and correction (punishment) now will only confuse the dog and make it more anxious and stressed, even more prone to future accidents.

Since timing is so crucial you should have a squirt bottle on your belt or in the immediate vicinity when training a puppy.

Just as important as the correction is the praise immediately following. You have to praise your dog when it has stopped doing the undesirable behavior immediately so it associates your praise with the correct behavior.

For instance, if your dog is barking too much and you correct it, as soon as you shoot your squirt bottle and the dog stops barking, you immediately offer your praise, “Good Quiet, Good Boy!”

A couple more ideas for non-physical corrections are to ignore the dog, refraining from eye contact and to make a loud sound to startle the dog. This can be a stomp of the foot, a snap of the fingers or if you have a few minutes to kill you can make a very effective tool by dropping a hand full of pennies in a can or a water bottle. Shaking that can is now guaranteed to stop your dog from whatever it was doing.

In summary the key aspects to remember are to properly time your correction (you have to catch the dog in the act) and to give praise as soon as the dog stops the unwanted behavior.

For more great tips on training dogs of all ages and breeds visit 101dogtrainingtips.blogspot.com” >101 Dog Training Tips

Distemper: Spotting This Dog Killer Before it’s Too Late

Canine distemper is a devastating disease. It often crops up in seemingly healthy pets without any warning. What’s more, distemper often mimics benign problems, like the common cold. This is truly the most insidious aspect of this illness. Sadly, many cases progress to the point where they are no longer treatable before the owner even realizes what’s happened.

How to spot the early signs of distemper

First and foremost, understand that distemper can often be diagnosed very early if regular trips to the veterinarian are scheduled and kept. This cannot be stressed enough, especially for new puppies! Because afflictions like distemper most often strike very young pups when they have weaker immune systems, it’s crucial that owners visit the vet often in the first few weeks of life. Early diagnosis means a chance to survive distemper.

Owners who suspect distemper, but haven’t had the animal seen by a vet yet, can detect it by a couple of signs. First, yellowish-green or dark green discharge from the eyes and nose is a classic symptom. It’s often accompanied by sneezing and general lethargy. Unfortunately, many pet owners assume this is just a sign that their dog has contracted a cold or has allergies and they ignore it.

If you remember nothing else about what you read here, remember this: any greenish discharge from the eyes or nose means distemper is a real possibility. RUSH your pet to the vet at the first sign! In most distemper cases, the only chance your puppy or dog has is early detection and aggressive medical therapy.

While distemper can manifest differently from one dog to the next, another hallmark of it is constant shaking or twitching. This happens in the more advanced stages of the disease, when the infected dog’s neurological system has been compromised and muscles fire continuously. Unfortunately, by this stage it’s rarely treatable and the humane step is euthanasia. Having said that, always get your pet checked out thoroughly to rule out some other condition that may be causing the tremors. You never know. Dogs are like people, in that they are susceptible to a wide range of illnesses and diseases that can share very similar symptoms. Never assume!

It isn’t easy for pet owners to prevent diseases as serious as distemper. It’s infamous for sneaking up on otherwise healthy puppies. But starting a new puppy out right – with good nutrition and regular visits to the vet for vaccinations and check-ups – will go a long way toward keeping him healthy and disease-free. Know and watch for the signs of distemper and your dog will have a strong ally in you!

© John Schwartz puppies-dogs-supplies.com (all rights reserved)

John Schwartz is a web site publisher and professional writer. For more information about puppies-dogs-supplies.com/dog_toys.html dog toys and other puppies-dogs-supplies.com/ dog supplies, visit his site at puppies-dogs-supplies.com/ Puppies-Dogs-Supplies.com today.

Dogs are amongst the most amazing creatures because they give unconditional love. Dogs love their masters and the masters reciprocate by providing them with all the things of comfort they can afford. Dog supplies are important and useful things for keeping your dog healthy and happy, and include items for dog grooming and maintaining good dog health. Canine or dog supplies can be classified into several sub categories, including dog training supplies, dog grooming supplies, and even more specialist items like hunting dog supplies.

Dog Grooming:

Dogs are gods of frolic. Undertaking thorough dog grooming is like having a permanent job requiring lots of patience, yet packed with exercise and the general fun of bringing up a dog and ensuring it lives a long and carefree life. Dog grooming is an important practice which should not be underestimated – a practice which ensures good dog health and hygiene and should also help to eliminate most dog health problems.

Dog grooming is in fact a somewhat intense program of dog health care that covers the entire life span a dog. Puppy care, canine health care, giving a hygiene bath, washing, combing, brushing, checking ears, paws, teeth and underside, nail trimming, removing dog fleas and insects, and fixing regular meetings with a professional veterinary are all important activities that a dog owner should undertake. A dog’s masters should follow a schedule of regular grooming sessions.

Puppy care is a very important practice that requires a lot of diligence and patience. Like children, puppies require some extra special attention. A puppy needs to be handled with extreme care, and should be groomed properly, fed carefully and well, and bedded properly.

Dog Grooming Supply:

Good dog grooming supplies are required to help undertake the important activities of dog grooming and care. A dog supply may include a dog house, dog furniture, dog carriers, dog beds (and designer dog beds), dog toys, dog collars and leashes, dog bath tub, dog soaps, dog perfumes, dog odor removers and mouth fresheners, dog clothes, designer dog clothes, dog t-shirts, dog jewelry, dog food, dog tonics & supplements and dog medication.

Dog Beds:

A dog bed is a bed designed especially for the sleeping comfort of a dog. It should be the snug retreat to where it retires to take sweet dreams at the end of a long and active day. Good dog beds play a very important part in keeping your dog in good health. An improper sleep may very much affect the health of a dog, thus dog masters should be very careful when buying dog pet beds. Dog beds and dog bedding include a dog bed mattress, dog bed sheets, dog bed cover, dog bed cushions, dog pillows, dog blankets and dog quilts or duvets.

Dog beds are available in numerous designs and sizes including luxury dog pet beds, large dog beds, wicker dog bed, leather dog beds, top quality dog beds, orthopedic dog beds etc. There are a number of designer dog pet beds available. Dog beds can also be purchased online, as there are many dog pet bed manufacturers now selling their dog beds through their websites.

“Perhaps the dog is the only animal that has seen its god, as a man is a dog’s idea of what God should be.”

Paul MacIver writes articles about

Training begins when you prepare your unbroken horse to be backed and ridden. Once he is broken in, you can get him to respond to your instructions so that you can get real enjoyment from riding him.

You may find that you can take your horse further with some dedicated training if you are interested in areas such as show jumping or dressage. Do bear in mind however, that the average horse and rider do not go this far, so don’t feel this has to be your next step. If you enjoy riding, continue getting pleasure from your riding and don’t worry about what else others are doing. There’s nothing nicer than feeling the breeze on your face as you ride through the countryside.

Although while learning to ride, you will have gained some experience from handling your horse unless you are an experienced horseman, with a thorough knowledge of horses and how they work, under no circumstances consider training a young horse on your own. Whatever your level of experience you should always work with a good assistant who should be of a quiet and reliable temperament and needless to say physically fit.

The next step is to get your aims clear and how best to achieve them. Your principle aim is that both you and your horse should enjoy the experience of riding. Your horse should be willing and able to listen to your instructions and obey them to the letter. This will mean designing specific training programmers and schedules and this is where understanding your horse comes into being.

It is also important to understand your horses’ anatomy and to recognize that it takes time with skilful and patient training to enable your horse to develop muscle, but his physical ability is just the start. Your horse must want to use his ability, for any horse that is overtaxed, he will become disobedient. To persuade the horse to work for you and with you at all times, it is important to understand his mentality as well as his anatomy.

Whilst horses have limited intelligence and powers of concentration they generally want to please. You need to encourage these qualities by making your training lessons simple and easy to understand. Plan each lesson in advance with specific goals in mind. You need to judge how much training your horse can take without getting bored or overworked. Keep your horses attention by varying your lessons and by keeping them short and to the point, but most importantly make them fun. The other key to success is to give praise as appropriate and to only use force as a last resort and then only to win a battle.

Make sure your horse understands the difference between “yes” and “no” by giving both praise and punishment, but limit punishment as much as possible because it can do more harm than good.

Remember your horse is not like a dog and cannot be bribed with tidbits to perform well. His reasoning powers are not developed in this way. The best way to reward him is through his sensitive response to feel and hearing — offer him a pat, a kind word or, best of all, release him from restraint.Ultimately training is always a two-way process you need to learn about your horse, so he can learn from you.

Roger Bourdon has written a number of books dedicated to horseback riding, horses and the health of horses. His site anyhorsebackriding.com anyhorsebackriding.com is dedicated to lovers of horses. It contains plenty of free information in newsletters, articles and contains loads of resources all about horses. Products such as books and DVD’s are also available for purchase