Is Fido looking flabby? Is there a Garfield in your life?
Here are some exercises you can do with your pet. Just make sure he or she gets plenty of water.
1. Take your dog on two brisk 20-minute walks a day. Build up endurance gradually.
2. Play chase with your dog around the house once a day.
3. Keep sneakers and a spare leash in the car.
4. Use a tennis racket to bounce a ball around with your dog for five minutes outside.
5. Put cat treats at top and bottom of stairs.
6. Tie your cat's toy mouse to a shoelace and drag it as you run up and down the hallway.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
German Chowita Takes Best In Class
I am pleased to announce that my son's puppy, Ace, has graduated from Puppy 1st Grade with Honors. Ace learned all of the obdience skills required in the class. After all the puppies in the class ran through their skills, the puppies got to play a modified version of musical chairs.
The first puppy that sat or laid down on command advanced to the next round. Ace (my grandson) won both of these games.
Ace is a designer dog. He is part German Shepard, Chow and Akita, which makes him a German Chowita. Ace is 8 months old and smarter than most puppies his age.
We are very proud of him. We will be picking out a college for Ace to attend just as soon as he learns how to drive.
Miss Sadie
Miss Sadie’s time with us was much too short. She was with us from March 2003 to July 2006. She spent her time with her Mom and Dad, Don and Jymme Snider, helping them run their motel, Snider’s Rustic Inn, in Thayne, Wyoming. Sadie was a chocolate Labrador with the most adorable personality. She had a heart that was as big as she was and made of pure gold. Sadie was born with severe elbow and hip dysplasia. Because her legs never grew to their full height and were bowed, some people thought she was a mix between a Labrador and a Pit Bull so her sister gave her the Designer Dog name of “Bullador.” Sadie became famous as the motel guest greeter. She loved everybody and everybody loved her, she never met a stranger and everybody was her friend. Sadie hardly ever barked and had the best manners. She was the perfect motel dog. She would welcome each guest as they checked in. Her favorite sleeping position was on her back in her blue recliner. Even though Sadie, the famous “Bullador”, had a tough time walking during her life here, she’s running with the big dogs now.
World's Wealthiest Pets
Recently, a list of the world's wealthiest pets hit the media and caused a stir bigger than a coronation. Think your pet has it made? Check out these lucky animals:
Gunther IV, an Alsatian (that's a German Shepherd in the United States!) said to be worth $320 million. Unconfirmed reports state that this incredible sum of money was left to Gunther's canine father by Countess Karlotta Libenstein when she passed away in 1992.
Kalu, a chimpanzee, became the main beneficiary of a trust amounting to some $95 million "big bananas." Owner Patricia O'Neill replaced her husband, Australian Olympic swimmer Frank O'Neill - the former beneficiary - with Kalu while Frank was at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.
Toby Rimes, a dog of unknown breeding, lapped up approximately $80 million when his owner, Ella Wendel, suddenly passed away. Word is that Toby, a New York City native, has become an instant celebrity around his Central Park stomping grounds.
Gunther IV, an Alsatian (that's a German Shepherd in the United States!) said to be worth $320 million. Unconfirmed reports state that this incredible sum of money was left to Gunther's canine father by Countess Karlotta Libenstein when she passed away in 1992.
Kalu, a chimpanzee, became the main beneficiary of a trust amounting to some $95 million "big bananas." Owner Patricia O'Neill replaced her husband, Australian Olympic swimmer Frank O'Neill - the former beneficiary - with Kalu while Frank was at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.
Toby Rimes, a dog of unknown breeding, lapped up approximately $80 million when his owner, Ella Wendel, suddenly passed away. Word is that Toby, a New York City native, has become an instant celebrity around his Central Park stomping grounds.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Teaching A Dog A New Behavior
When first teaching a dog a new behavior it is important to let him know when he has done the right thing and when he has done the wrong thing. Offering your dog their favorite treat or toy when they do the right thing will teach them to repeat that behavior when asked.
It is also important to let them know when they have done the wrong thing. Saying the word "No" and guiding them into the proper behavior each time can correct the wrong behavior. By saying "No" and guiding your dog instead of physically correcting the dog, will teach them to follow the correct behavior every time they hear the word "No".
This type of training is positive reinforcement and works very well.
It is also important to let them know when they have done the wrong thing. Saying the word "No" and guiding them into the proper behavior each time can correct the wrong behavior. By saying "No" and guiding your dog instead of physically correcting the dog, will teach them to follow the correct behavior every time they hear the word "No".
This type of training is positive reinforcement and works very well.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Did You Hear That?
Both cats and dogs can hear things we cannot, which is one reason dogs make such terrific home alarm systems. Cats can hear sounds several times higher than we can, which is useful when they hunt. If your cat leaps up, hisses and scoots out of the room - seemingly unprovoked - he might have been startled by something you couldn't hear.
This suggests that the inexplicable behaviors we may observe in our pets shouldn't be dismissed as simply nutty. The world they live in is different from ours - but we are growing closer and learning from each other every day.
This suggests that the inexplicable behaviors we may observe in our pets shouldn't be dismissed as simply nutty. The world they live in is different from ours - but we are growing closer and learning from each other every day.
The Nose Knows
Your nose is like an old static-filled, black-and-white TV compared to a dog's high-definition, state-of-the-art TV. If you laid out all our smell receptors (about 5 million), they would fill your average postage stamp. A dog's receptors (about 220 million) would cover an average handkerchief.
Humans have learned how to harness that smelling power and put the canine nose to work. Dogs are trained to pinpoint gas leaks in underground pipes; locate people under water, snow or collapsed buildings; and sniff out illegal drugs, foods and plants entering the country. Criminals may try to hide their illegal cache in something strong-smelling, but dogs can find the contraband as easily as we can pick a rose out of a bunch of daisies.
With their extraordinary ability to detect some odors at as much as one part per trillion, canines are even becoming medical diagnosticians. Researchers trained household dogs to detect cancer on a patient's breath. The research found that dogs detected lung cancer with 97% accuracy and breast cancer with 88% accuracy.
Humans have learned how to harness that smelling power and put the canine nose to work. Dogs are trained to pinpoint gas leaks in underground pipes; locate people under water, snow or collapsed buildings; and sniff out illegal drugs, foods and plants entering the country. Criminals may try to hide their illegal cache in something strong-smelling, but dogs can find the contraband as easily as we can pick a rose out of a bunch of daisies.
With their extraordinary ability to detect some odors at as much as one part per trillion, canines are even becoming medical diagnosticians. Researchers trained household dogs to detect cancer on a patient's breath. The research found that dogs detected lung cancer with 97% accuracy and breast cancer with 88% accuracy.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Cat Treat Recipe
Terrific Kitty Treats
Makes 12 treats
1 6-ounce can of tuna
1/4 cup water drained from tuna
3 tablespoons cooked egg white, chopped
1/4 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1. Heat oven to 350F. Spray cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Combine tuna, water and egg white. Add cornmeal and flour and blend to form dough. Knead into a ball and roll to 1/4" thickness.
3. Cut into 1" sized pieces and place 1/2" apart on greased cookie sheet.
4. Bake for 20 minutes. Let cool. Store in an airtight container.
Makes 12 treats
1 6-ounce can of tuna
1/4 cup water drained from tuna
3 tablespoons cooked egg white, chopped
1/4 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1. Heat oven to 350F. Spray cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Combine tuna, water and egg white. Add cornmeal and flour and blend to form dough. Knead into a ball and roll to 1/4" thickness.
3. Cut into 1" sized pieces and place 1/2" apart on greased cookie sheet.
4. Bake for 20 minutes. Let cool. Store in an airtight container.
Dog Treat Recipe
Dog Biscuits
Makes 30-40 treats
3/4 cup hot water
1/3 cup margarine
1/2 cup powdered milk
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
3 cups whole wheat flour
1. Heat oven to 325F. Spray cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, pour hot water over margarine. Stir in powdered milk, salt and egg. Add flour, 1/2 cup at a time.
3. Knead for a few minutes to form stiff dough. Pat down or roll out to 1/2" thickness. Cut into bone shapes and place 1" apart on cookie sheet.
4. Bake for 50 minutes. Let cool. (They'll dry out quite hard.) Store in an airtight container.
Makes 30-40 treats
3/4 cup hot water
1/3 cup margarine
1/2 cup powdered milk
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
3 cups whole wheat flour
1. Heat oven to 325F. Spray cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, pour hot water over margarine. Stir in powdered milk, salt and egg. Add flour, 1/2 cup at a time.
3. Knead for a few minutes to form stiff dough. Pat down or roll out to 1/2" thickness. Cut into bone shapes and place 1" apart on cookie sheet.
4. Bake for 50 minutes. Let cool. (They'll dry out quite hard.) Store in an airtight container.
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Should I Get A Cat?
Cats are wonderful pets if you get to know them, spend time with them, and treat them right.
There are a number of reasons for choosing a cat as a pet:
There are a number of reasons for choosing a cat as a pet:
- Cats are fairly quiet pets in comparison to dogs
- Cats are smaller animals
- Cats bury their own waste and thus don't need to be walked or let outside
- Cats require less grooming than dogs
- Cats are fairly independent animals, although they welcome and thrive on your attention and will grow and blossom in a home where they are cuddled and talked to often
- Cats are fairly non-aggressive
- Cats are less costly than dogs Cats can live in smaller, inside places like apartments or condos
- Cats require little exercise when compared to dogs
- Cats require minimal training
There are a few questions that you need to ask yourself before adopting a cat or kitten. If you answer no to any of them please think long and hard about adopting. Don't adopt if you can not properly take care of your pet, as it is very cruel to that animal!
- Is there enough room in my home? - Although cats require less room than dogs they still need ample room to roam, run, jump and play.
- Can you deal with a litter box and potential accidents? - Although cats are very clean animals and instinctually bury their waste, you still need to clean out their litter box. And as your cat is adjusting to his/her box, if your cat is stressed, if something changes about his/her box (placement or litter type) or if your cat gets ill; he/she may have an accident or two. Are you willing to deal with potential accidents that are bound to occur at some point in your pet's life?
- Can you afford a cat? - Cats are cheaper pets than dogs but you will still need to afford the following: food, treats, bowls, litter, litter box, scooper, scratching post, cat bed, toys, cat carriers, brushes and grooming tools, collar, identification tag, and medical care.
- Do you have time to spend at least 2 hours a day with your pet? - Cats need quality time with you and need to play, be nurtured and be exercised. Plan on spending a minimum of 2 hours a day with your cat. If you are the type that will never be home or will be gone every weekend, don't get a cat.
- Can you deal with training your cat and possibly a few bad behaviors? Cats are fairly easily trained and many cats come to us already knowledgeable about how to act, use a litter box, use a scratching post etc.; however, you may need to spend some time training your pet and/or dealing with the consequences of bad behaviors if you don't train your pet. If you can't deal with this and will get angry at the cat rather than disliking the behavior and fixing that then you need to think long and hard about getting any pet.
- Can you deal with pet hair? - Cats are hairy and they shed. As with any pet the idea of keeping your house immaculate, although possible, will take a little more work.
- Can you keep your cat indoors? - Of course you can take your cat out on walks, or create a fenced in area in your backyard for your cat to play in, but for the safety and longevity of your pet it is best to keep him/her as in indoor animal.
- Can you deal with your furniture potentially getting clawed or damaged? - You can and should train your cat to not claw furniture (rather than getting your cat declawed which is considered cruel by many veterinarians and cat lovers), however, if you don't train your cat properly this can happen.
Cats can bring so much in to your life. They are wonderful, intelligent, expressive creatures who can bring you vast amounts of joy and happiness. It is shown that people (especially seniors) with pets have lower blood pressure, are happier, and live longer. However, if you answered no to any of the above questions we recommend NOT getting a cat. As with any new roommate in your home there are compromises that will need to be made. If you are not willing to deal with some of the compromises with a cat then you should not get one.
Before Purchasing A Dog
Dogs truly can be a person’s best friend with their unconditional love and nonjudgmental nature. They are always ready to play, but if the moment is not right, they are just as happy to sit quietly by your side. Dogs don’t ask for much – a warm place to sleep, food so they don’t go hungry, some fresh air and green grass, and a friend who will look out for them. Despite seeming like the perfect addition to your life, a dog is not for everyone.
While some are a little more high maintenance than others, proper care for any dog requires time, patience and money.
The purchase of a dog is just the beginning in terms of money that will be spent. Food, treats, toys and grooming are costs that will add up over a lifetime. Also, veterinary visits are an important part of maintaining your pet’s health.
The basics of health care include spaying/neutering, annual vaccination and testing to prevent diseases. Expect at least one major problem to arise that will involve extensive medical treatment.
Dogs require a lifetime commitment. Dogs can be expected to live for at least 10-12 years depending on the breed. Time is required for daily walks, socializing, and grooming activities such as tooth brushing. Puppies have much more energy than older dogs and need plenty of time for playing and training. A dog is not suitable for someone who doesn’t spend a lot of time at home.
You also need to consider your living situation. Do you have room for a large dog? Or is a small lap dog what you are looking for? If you live in an apartment, you don’t want a large dog that would require a lot of room to exercise. Caution must always be taken with pets if there are small children in the house. Even the most laid back dog can be frightened by high pitched squeal and over enthusiastic playing or hugs. If you have other pets in the household, make sure they are compatible.
Once you have decided that a dog will fit into your life, there are many careful decisions to be made. Do you have the time and patience for a puppy? Or are you looking for an older, more mature dog? Puppies of course are cute, but remember that they have unlimited energy and will require lots of training.
No matter which dog ultimately goes home with you, remember that each is an individual with his or her own unique personality and will require a lifetime of unconditional love.
While some are a little more high maintenance than others, proper care for any dog requires time, patience and money.
The purchase of a dog is just the beginning in terms of money that will be spent. Food, treats, toys and grooming are costs that will add up over a lifetime. Also, veterinary visits are an important part of maintaining your pet’s health.
The basics of health care include spaying/neutering, annual vaccination and testing to prevent diseases. Expect at least one major problem to arise that will involve extensive medical treatment.
Dogs require a lifetime commitment. Dogs can be expected to live for at least 10-12 years depending on the breed. Time is required for daily walks, socializing, and grooming activities such as tooth brushing. Puppies have much more energy than older dogs and need plenty of time for playing and training. A dog is not suitable for someone who doesn’t spend a lot of time at home.
You also need to consider your living situation. Do you have room for a large dog? Or is a small lap dog what you are looking for? If you live in an apartment, you don’t want a large dog that would require a lot of room to exercise. Caution must always be taken with pets if there are small children in the house. Even the most laid back dog can be frightened by high pitched squeal and over enthusiastic playing or hugs. If you have other pets in the household, make sure they are compatible.
Once you have decided that a dog will fit into your life, there are many careful decisions to be made. Do you have the time and patience for a puppy? Or are you looking for an older, more mature dog? Puppies of course are cute, but remember that they have unlimited energy and will require lots of training.
No matter which dog ultimately goes home with you, remember that each is an individual with his or her own unique personality and will require a lifetime of unconditional love.
Friday, November 10, 2006
It's Raining Cat - A Short Story
As raindrops fell on that spring afternoon, Ralph sat in his living room reading the newspaper, refusing to acknowledge the desperate pleas. The same ones he had been hearing outside his front door every day for the past two weeks.
"Meeooooow. Meeooooow. Meeooooow. Meeooooow."
He made the mistake on the first day by giving that stray cat a little leftover tuna. Now, the cat wouldn't leave him along.
"Meeooooow. Meeooooow. Meeooooow. Meeooooow."
Ralph couldn't take it anymore. He got up, opened the front door and addressed his tormentor.
"Whaddya think this is, a cat restaurant!?!? Scram!"
The cat looked up meekly and, realizing it was a lost cause, rambled off into the April shower with its tail between its legs.
Seeing that pathetic little cat walking away in the rain made Ralph even angrier.
"Now stop trying to make me feel guilty. It's not my fault you don't have any place to go."
Like the thundering skies above, Ralph stormed away and returned to his paper. But all he could think about was that darned cat.
"Doggone cat!"
He stomped back and opened the front door. Outside, he found the cat shivering and looking absolutely pathetic.
"All right, get in here."
The cat ran in gleefully, wiping itself off on Ralph's drapes, sofa - anything upon which it could dry itself. Ralph just rolled his eyes.
"Why don't you make yourself at home."
The cat ignored his sarcasm and continued frolicking.
"Suppose you're hungry, too."
"Meeooowww."
Ralph went to the kitchen and opened a can of tuna. He also poured a little milk in a bowl and set them both on the floor. The grateful cat devoured the feast.
After eating, the freeloader trotted back into the living room to join Ralph, who was once again immersed in the newspaper.
"Meeooowww."
Ralph peered over his paper as the cat jumped up into his recliner and lay next to him. He thought about tossing the cat back on the floor, but seeing the cat's hopeful eyes, he reconsidered.
"Don't make yourself too comfortable. When the rain stops, you're outta here."
Three hours later, the skies cleared (along with Ralph's memory, apparently). Because this story took place eight years ago, and Ralph and the cat are still together.
"Meeooooow. Meeooooow. Meeooooow. Meeooooow."
He made the mistake on the first day by giving that stray cat a little leftover tuna. Now, the cat wouldn't leave him along.
"Meeooooow. Meeooooow. Meeooooow. Meeooooow."
Ralph couldn't take it anymore. He got up, opened the front door and addressed his tormentor.
"Whaddya think this is, a cat restaurant!?!? Scram!"
The cat looked up meekly and, realizing it was a lost cause, rambled off into the April shower with its tail between its legs.
Seeing that pathetic little cat walking away in the rain made Ralph even angrier.
"Now stop trying to make me feel guilty. It's not my fault you don't have any place to go."
Like the thundering skies above, Ralph stormed away and returned to his paper. But all he could think about was that darned cat.
"Doggone cat!"
He stomped back and opened the front door. Outside, he found the cat shivering and looking absolutely pathetic.
"All right, get in here."
The cat ran in gleefully, wiping itself off on Ralph's drapes, sofa - anything upon which it could dry itself. Ralph just rolled his eyes.
"Why don't you make yourself at home."
The cat ignored his sarcasm and continued frolicking.
"Suppose you're hungry, too."
"Meeooowww."
Ralph went to the kitchen and opened a can of tuna. He also poured a little milk in a bowl and set them both on the floor. The grateful cat devoured the feast.
After eating, the freeloader trotted back into the living room to join Ralph, who was once again immersed in the newspaper.
"Meeooowww."
Ralph peered over his paper as the cat jumped up into his recliner and lay next to him. He thought about tossing the cat back on the floor, but seeing the cat's hopeful eyes, he reconsidered.
"Don't make yourself too comfortable. When the rain stops, you're outta here."
Three hours later, the skies cleared (along with Ralph's memory, apparently). Because this story took place eight years ago, and Ralph and the cat are still together.
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