Pets Are Family Too!

I am sure that I am not alone in saying that my husband and I love our pets like they are our children. Many people treat their pets as members of their family and shower on them all the love, care and concern someone would give any member of their family and we are no different. We personally, have three dogs, a cat and a mini macaw. There are more animals than humans in our household but it is a harmonious place. They all have their own personalities and place in our family unit, and they are all cherished for their foibles, charm, the great love and affection they give us freely, and the easy going and malleable natures they have developed over the years. We are proud pet owners and I feel like we have done our fare share in rescuing wonderful animals that were in dire need of a forever family.

My husband and I got our first dog very soon after we met and moved in together. He was a Beagle Black Lab mixed breed that we rescued from the local Humane Society and he was three months old (we named him Garcia...yes...after Jerry). He had kennel cough when we adopted him and the folks at the Humane Society told us he may not live. They didn't take into account the stubborn Beagle traits the little guy had because not only did he survive the kennel cough but he lived to be 15 years old! Never having a puppy before I was surprised at how much work it was! The potty training, shots, bathing, feeding, walking, training...and of course many hugs and kisses. Talk about a wakeup call; it was a wakeup call I would never regret.

I have always loved animals and my family and I had many different kinds while growing up. We had rabbits, hamsters, fish, dogs, cats, birds and horses. But once I reached adulthood I was too busy with the normal things twenty-something people do to consider getting a pet. When I met my husband that changed and our one rescued dog named Garcia turned into three rescued dogs. We would eventually we would adopt two more when our first two died of old age.

After many years owning pets I can honestly say me and my husband have definitely made some mistakes, but we have also learned a lot. If I were asked what one of the most important factors is in owning any pet I would say to simply give them the attention, love and proper care they need and crave. So many people get a pet on a whim and then quickly forget about them when the shine and novelty wear off. Pets are not toys, they are sentient beings with very definite needs and a very clear dependency on their human caretakers.. What is one of the biggest mistakes people make in pet ownership? Not giving adequate boundaries and corrective training! Dogs especially, are very pack driven and need clear direction on who the pack leader is and what is their role in the family unit is. Without calm, consistent and assertive guidance from a human pack leader dogs will sometimes develop aggressive tendencies and/or neurosis. This bad behavior will make life difficult for everyone in the family. In the long run the animal suffers since they end up in killing shelters, destroyed or simply chained out in a yard alone and uncared for. Start boundary and corrective training early, by three months of age, and be consistent; you will save yourself, your family and your pet much heartache, confusion and grief in the future.

Dawn Combs, author

http://www.petfoodfunandtraining.com

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Custom Ceramic Pet Urns: Loving Memories for Family Pets

Creating the proper memorial for your pet after they have passed on can be a bit of a challenge. You want to find something that represents them while keeping it from being something overly extravagant. So, when you've searched funeral homes and scoured the internet, what can you do if you still haven't found the right urn for your pet? Consider looking into custom made ceramic pet urns for your beloved family friend. If you feel this is the right decision for your pet memorial, then there are other items to take into consideration.

Why ceramic pet urns?

There are many materials that you can choose to work with when it comes to pet urns, but ceramic pet urns are a good choice because of their versatility and relative economical price (metal and wood can cost a pretty penny when you have custom urns made). These urns can be formed into almost any shape and can have a glaze added before the firing or be painted afterwards. Another upside to ceramic urns is that, should you ever decide to bury the urn, you can take comfort in knowing that it is biodegradable.

What form should the urn take?

The big question that you'll have to answer when you decide to have a custom ceramic pet urn made for your dog or cat is what type of form you want the urn to take. You can go with something fairly concrete, such as a likeness of your pet, or something a bit more abstract. This is when communication with the artisan crafting your urn is so important. Try to make a list of things that you want to convey with your pet's urn. Whether you want it to be very realistic or if you want to the urn to embody some of the characteristics of your pet, such as "playful, loyal or peaceful," an artist will work with you to ensure that your needs are met.

What can I expect from the artist?

The custom urn process is not as simple as filling out a form. It involves communication from both parties. Once you've filled out an initial request form, you and the artist will probably begin a back and forth dialogue about ideas and sketches. They will send you drawings of their ideas of ceramic pet urns and you can tell them what modifications you would like made, if any. Don't be shy about giving feedback. This is your pet's urn, so you have every right to make sure it's perfect.

Melody Jamali is the Founder and President of (Une Belle Vie), a Colorado company dedicated to bringing choice of cremation to public light. Their company offers the widest selection in decorative urns for cremation and includes a wide collection of resources designed to help families and friends in their time of need. From tool for the grieving to informative articles about planning, support and other uplifting thoughts, Une Belle Vie is a company dedicated to helping your celebrate the life of the one you love - on your terms.

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Aquarium LED Lighting Comparison

Do LED Aquarium light fixtures really cost more than other lighting fixtures?

This comparison takes into account the initial setup, and continued cost of lighting a beautiful aquarium over a 1-2 year period. It will show that LED's are actually the cheapest to keep and maintain.

Currently fluorescent light fixtures (VHO) are the least expensive to purchase while LED is the most expensive with Metal Halide (HQI) somewhere in the middle.

The first thing to be considered is bulb replacement. The VHO and HQI bulbs need to be replaced every year, while the LED lasts 7 -10 years.

The second consideration is heat. You might not think of heat when referring to lighting, but heat is an issue for aquariums. HQI produce so much heat that chillers are often used to help lower aquarium temperatures. This often requires an extra pump to help run water through the chiller itself. VHO fixtures in general do not produce enough heat to require a chiller but some of the high output fixtures that use ballasts, will also produce heat. LED fixtures have little to no heat, so no heat transferred to the aquarium.

The last consideration is power. Electricity runs all of the lighting fixtures, but by far the most energy efficient is the LED, then the VHO, and then the HQI.

I myself had an HQI fixture on my 260 gallon fish tank. I switched to standard (VHO) bulbs, and then to LED, which I currently use and like. My electric bill dropped by half, from a budgeted amount of $900 / month, to a current $450 /month. I eliminated the chiller, and two sump pumps used for the chiller and skimmer.

One additional aspect to consider other than cost is the effects on the aquarium inhabitants. For instance, the VHO bulb gives an even light distribution along the entire bulb, giving the tank a constant light throughout the entire aquarium. The HQI gives a more concentrated beam of light, more like the sun, has a more natural shaded area and a shimmer effect on the surface of the water. LED's also give a shimmer effect to the surface of the water and can be set up to simulate cloud cover, sunrise, and sunset.

All together, the overall benefits of LED light fixtures make up for initial cost in future savings. By the time you add in the cost of replacing bulbs every year, extra pumps, chillers, and the electricity it costs to run such devices the clear winner is the LED fixture.

Thank you for reading my article, I hope it helps you in choosing the right lighting fixture for your aquarium.

Jeffery P Mey is an aquarium enthusiast with over 40 years of experience. He can provide additional information about lighting fixtures and bulb replacement.

Wake up your aquarium with a new light fixture or replace your old bulbs at AquaLighting.

While you are there be sure to subscribe to his other Article Writings.

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Fleas Have Been A Nuisance For Centuries

Fleas have been in existence for millions of years and prefer to feed from the blood of warm-blooded animals. They also like to make a home and survive in carpeting, furniture, blankets, shoes, pants, and other clothing. These wingless parasites are able to jump from one host or hiding place to another with ease.

There are approximately two thousand species, but the cat flea is the most common pet flea and infects both cats and dogs. This variety prefers indoor animals due to the warmer temperatures and cannot survive colder climates. They may inhabit virtually anywhere on canines, but are more often found on the back of the neck and base of the tail of felines since these are areas not easily reachable when grooming.

These tiny, black pests are able to transmit diseases to humans like the plague, murine typhus which is a bacterial infection, and the skin disease tungiasis. Their saliva may cause allergic reactions to sensitive pets and people resulting in the need for steroid shots or antihistamines to relieve pain and swelling.

If flea larvae consume fecal matter from the pet dog or cat that contains tape worm eggs, those eggs grow and hatch inside the flea. Fleas that are chewed and swallowed by the affected animal make their way into the intestine and are broken down in digestion. However, the parasite survives and grows into a tape worm that produces more eggs which are expelled with the animal's fecal matter. This restarts the entire process and may spread to other pets in the home.

Besides tape worms, pet fleas cause skin sores, hair loss from biting and scratching, open wounds, bacterial infections, and anemia. Animals who are allergic to a flea's saliva suffer from various forms of dermatitis. Prescription medications may be required to soothe pain, swelling, and irritation.

Various methods such as Frontline Spot On and Advantage are directly applied to the animal where it is absorbed into their blood stream and disbursed throughout their skin. As these parasites feed on the host animal's blood, their nervous system becomes paralyzed which results in their death. The protective coating produced on the dog or cat's skin by their natural oils also deters them from remaining.

Fleas do not like the smell or taste of garlic, yeast, lemon, eucalyptus, lime, cedar, myrrh, or neem. A teaspoon of garlic added to dog food once a day will keep the family dog flea free, but the digestive system of cats cannot tolerate this. Sprinkling salt on infested areas in the home kills them by dehydration.

Pet fleas are a nuisance to pet dogs, cats, their owners, and homes during their short one hundred day lifespan. Immediate steps should be taken to rid the infected animal and household of these parasites before serious health issues affect everyone in the dwelling.

This article was written on behalf of Flea treatment online retailer fleakiller.org.uk. For more information about pet health please visit http://www.allaboutpethealth.co.uk

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5 Reasons to Use Implantable RFID on Your Pet

ByMike Kellman

How many times have you seen a "Lost Pet" poster in your neighborhood? Some pets and breeds don't respond when called, or recognize their territory is limited to your house or yard. Losing a pet is can be a tragic and stressful experience.

But, due to advances in radio frequency technology, this risk can be easily prevented. A veterinarian can now implant a completely harmless RFID tracking tag safely beneath the animal's skin. Though the technology is fairly new, many pet owners are already opting to protect their pets with Implantable RFID devices.

In fact, The Iams Co., routinely pledges to donate wireless RFID scanners to animal shelters that pick up unidentified animals. This enables shelters to identify RFID implanted pets and contact their owners, or begin the often fruitless task of holding the animal until it is claimed. Often less than 15% of lost dogs and cats are ever returned to their home.

Give yourself peace of mind that you'll never lose your beloved pet. Have your animal tagged with an RFID device. Here are 5 reasons to use implantable RFID tagging on your pet.

1. No Adverse Effects

The RFID tag is about the size of a grain of rice. It's inserted quickly and easily underneath your pet's skin with a hypodermic needle, completely without sedation. The tag is encased in a special coating that will not irritate the tissue. In fact the casing is made of a special material that allows the tissue to grow around the tag and bond with it in the same way that an ear piercing heals.

Radio-frequency beams communicate with a scanner through the epidermal layers of the skin. Your pet will experience no more pain or irritation than they would from a standard vaccination.

2. Low Cost

The cost of the RFID chip is around $50, with some additional costs for implanting the tag and programming the owner ID database. That $50 is a small price to pay for the peace of mind you will have knowing that if your dog or cat ever turns up missing, it's only a matter of time before he or she is returned.

3. Better than a Collar

Even if your pet wears a collar or harness, an RFID tag is still a far more secure method of identifying your dog. In the wild, collars are easily snagged on things and torn or slipped off. Due to their implantable nature, RFID tags are guaranteed never to come off. As you might have assumed, they're completely weatherproof as well.

4. RFID Tags Transmit Vet Info

Not to scare you, but should your pet get lost and suffer an accident, they may not get medical attention before it's too late. Implantable RFID tags assist with this as well. The tag transmits to a scanner a unique ID code, the pet's name, breed, owner's info, and veterinary info. With the veterinary info, anyone can retrieve the pet's medical records ensuring that they get proper care in time.

5. Managing Livestock

For those of you who keep animals for commercial uses can greatly benefit from RFID tagging. The tags allow you to quickly identify animals and manage herds. Since the outbreak of mad-cow disease, this has been a critical component of managing and protecting your investment.

Protect your pet with an implantable RFID tag today!

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5 Reasons Why Pets Are Good for Your Health

Did you know that pets can have a positive impact on your health? We're always told to eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly in order to keep up with our health, but who knew owning a pet could add to these benefits?

1) Allergy Fighters

Most people think that growing up with pets will actually make allergies worse. However, it has been found that kids growing up in a home with "furry" animals have a lower risk for developing allergies and asthma. The reason for this is because the young immune system will get use to the allergens, preventing problems in the future.

2) Improve Your Social Life

Whether you have a dog, cat, or guinea pig, pets are great conversation starters. Most of the time, owning one forces owners to meet new people-through obedience classes, going on walks, the waiting room at the vet's office, etc... Dogs can actually help people ease out of social isolation or shyness.

3) Good for the Mind, and the Heart!

Animals have the ability to relax us, who in this world doesn't feel at ease in the midst of a kind animal. Because of this, owning a pet can prove to lower blood pressure, improve depression and other mood disorders and decrease stress. Nursing home residents' quality of life can be bettered from regular visits from pets and it has also been shown that Alzheimer's patients have fewer outbursts when there is a dog around.

4) They Help Us to Lose Weight

It's true; studies have shown that people who own pets have healthier weights than those who don't. This is because pets, especially dogs, require exercise which forces us to get up off the couch and get exercise too. There are several different ways you can exercise with your pet, it isn't only limited to walking.

5) They Teach Us New Skills

Believe it or not, pets can be great teachers. The list of lessons they can teach us is endless. Whether your pet shows you how to be responsible or how to make friends, he will prove to be one of the smartest friends you've ever had! If you have children, having a pet can not only help to promote responsibility, but also encourage empathy and caring behaviors.

It is understandable to pets aren't for everyone, but all of these are great reasons to get one. The advantages of owning one far outweigh the disadvantages. No matter what, owning a pet is a great learning experience for all of us.

We love pets! Probioticsmart.com knows your pet deserves the very best care possible, and we're here to help. Visit our blog for more tips and stories about pets as well as information on health promoting pet supplements. See you there!

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Is Your Pet Winterized? Top Cold Weather Tips for Dogs and Cats

ByKim Salerno

Winterize my house - check, winterize my car - check, winterize my pet - what? With the full wrath of winter upon us...arctic winds, plummeting temps, snow and freezing rain (ugh), have you taken the time to be sure that your pet is winterized? That is, prepared for the frigid temps and all that goes along with it? Take note of these special precautions and tips to ensure your pet is safe and protected this winter.

Un-Pet Friendly Winter Products

Anti-Freeze: Be sure that you keep your pet far away from automotive anti-freeze. This highly toxic yellowish green fluid poses a life-threatening danger to pets. It contains ethylene glycol which is a potent toxin to the kidneys. Just as little as a lick of this dangerous fluid can be dangerous to your pet. Take your pet to the vet immediately if you suspect that your dog or cat has ingested anti-freeze. Early treatment is essential.

Windshield Washer Products: Less toxic, but also a danger, are windshield washer products. They contain methanol which can cause severe nervous system depression in pets. If pets ingest these fluids they may exhibit drooling, vomiting, and instability.

Ice Melt Products: Treating sidewalks, driveways, and steps with rock salt and other ice melt products is another routine of winter months. If pets ingest these products, they can suffer from gastrointestinal tract irritation, as well as depression, weakness, seizures, cardiac issues, and other life threatening issues. Without ingestion, rock salt and other ice melt products can dry out and irritate your pet's paws and stomach. Dry paws can lead to cracks and possible infection (not to mention discomfort). There are pet safe ice melts on the market; however, you can't control what others are putting on their sidewalks. To help prevent irritation and injury to your pet, gently wash and dry off their paws AND bellies at the end of their walk. If you are traveling with your pet, be sure to wash off your pet's paws and belly once you get them in the car. As a preventative measure, you may want to consider boots for your pet...however; I have yet to find some that stay on! Applying pet paw wax to your dog's pads is another preventative measure.

Space Heaters: In seeking out warm places, pets may cozy up to space heaters or heat lamps which can also pose dangers to your pets. Keep fluffy tails away from heat lamps and space heaters, as they can easily ignite into flames. In addition, dogs and cats love to seek out the warmth of a fire. Be sure that your fireplace is protected by either a safety screen or glass to help prevent sparks from flying out and landing on your dog or cat.

Outdoor Threats

The Elements: Your pet needs to be protected from the cold itself. Just because your pet has fur doesn't mean they are completely protected from the elements. If you have a short haired breed, you may want to consider protective clothing for them. In addition, when the temps really dip (particularly when the wind chill is a factor), limit their time outdoors. In addition, if you are traveling by car with your pet, do not leave them in a freezing cold car. After you turn the heater off, the temperature rapidly drops. You know your pet best, so be sure to keep a close eye on them and bring them in if they are exhibiting signs of being too cold. Monitor your pet closely to avoid any type of severe reaction to overexposure to cold such as hypothermia. Signs of hypothermia include: lethargy, weakness, shivering, and muscle stiffness, difficulty breathing, fixed and dilated pupils.

Bodies of Water: Most dogs love to romp in the snow off-leash. Be sure to know the area in which you are playing with your dog. Be sure to keep your pet away from bodies of water - even if they appear frozen. Incidents of dogs falling through the ice happen way too often and are easily preventable.

Car Engines: Outdoor cats find warm engines the perfect place to find warmth during the cold winter months. Turning your car on with a cat curled up on your engine is obviously a big danger. To alert any cat that may be near your car engine, bang on your hood a few times before getting in and starting your car.

Escaping the Cold

Some choose to skip the winterizing stuff and travel to a warmer climate with their dog or cat. If you plan to travel with your pet to escape the cold, be sure to plan ahead. If traveling by plane, check with your carrier to determine their airline pet policies. If traveling by car, be sure to plan ahead and take all the necessary steps to ensure your pet has a safe and happy journey, including securing pet friendly hotels along your travel route!

Kim Salerno is the President & Founder of TripsWithPets.com. She founded the pet travel site in 2003 and is an expert in the field of pet travel. Her popular web site features pet friendly hotels & accommodations across the US and Canada, along with other helpful pet travel resources. Her mission is to ensure that pets are welcome, happy, and safe in their travels.

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