tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23591144803454612922024-03-13T06:02:33.147-07:00Pet 4 HomesPets and Animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151856227948288685noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359114480345461292.post-65567723065100270612010-02-05T08:38:00.000-08:002010-02-05T08:40:48.247-08:00The Big Cat Leopard<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/S2xJ-3sqU_I/AAAAAAAAAHY/wfLlfOJoGmE/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 113px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/S2xJ-3sqU_I/AAAAAAAAAHY/wfLlfOJoGmE/s320/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434800194781336562" border="0" /></a><br />The most beautiful of all big cats, the elusive leopard is also the most accomplished. A marvelous hunter and opportunistic predator, the leopard hunts what others do not and resides where other cannot. With a wide geographic distribution, leopard lives everywhere yet is seen virtually nowhere owing to its supreme stealth and cunning. Smallest of the four big cats of the Panthera genus, leopard - Panthera Pardus, has a weight ranging from 80-150 lbs for the males and 65-100 lbs for the female, subject to subspecies variation.<br /><br />The word leopard reflects the supposed evolutionary origin of the big cat, with the original belief being that it was a hybrid of lion (leo) and panther (pard). However, the closest resemblance is to the Jaguar, even as the leopard is less stocky and its rosette coat markings are smaller, more numerous and lack internal spots. The rosettes also distinguish it from the spots of the Cheetah. Plus leopard is a more gifted tree climber and a nocturnal hunter, whereas Cheetah prefers the less competitive daytime for his kills.<br /><br />Coloration is usually tawny yellow with the black rosettes ranging from a circular shape in East African leopard to square in South African Leopard. Melanism is frequently seen with the black leopard often found in dense forests of South East Asia. Called 'panther', the black coloration is a result of the merging together of skin markings. Designed for camouflage, leopard's coat is generally considered as one of the most beautiful in animal kingdom and varies according to the habitat of the great hunter. Its geographical distribution is also used for classification purposes as leopard is segregated into nine modern species (down from a previous thirty), namely the African Leopard, Amur Leopard, Arabian Leopard, Indian Leopard, Indo-Chinese Leopard, Java Leopard, North China Leopard, Persian Leopard and Sri Lankan Leopard. The Snow Leopard, Clouded Leopard and Bornean Clouded Leopard are all considered separate species now (to be discussed later!).<br /><br />A graceful hunter, leopard epitomizes stealth and predation. Leopard's ability to go undetected enables it to prey on the most sensitive of animals like gazelles and dogs. The most successful hunter amongst big cats, leopard spares nothing - takes everything as prey from insects to birds, reptiles, monkeys, fish and deer. Its wide prey base supplemented by its ability to survive in diverse environments ensures leopard's survival beyond the realm of its peers. Despite rare predation by the tiger in India, leopard enjoys greater success since it survives in areas with scarce water. The same is true in Africa where conflicts with lions and hyenas are won by the leopard's terrific ability to carry prey up to three times its weight into trees, beyond the reach of its competitors. Its tree climbing abilities are the best among cats and alongside a strong swimming ability make it the best hunter in all of Africa, surviving in drought and tough climatic conditions where others perish.<br /><br />Whilst the prey base is diverse, leopard may at times attack humans. The risks are supplemented in case of disease, eradication of prey animals and habitat encroachment. As man-eaters, leopards are extremely dangerous and very hard to eliminate. Their great stalking ability and cunning makes them the most feared killers amongst men. Many in Africa and India don't fear the lion and tiger, respectively, as much as they do the leopard that spares nothing and yet is never seen. In fact many hunters maintain the leopard to be ten times as dangerous as a lion or tiger, making it a killer of great notoriety. Whereas other man-eating cats almost never dare to enter human settlements at day time, leopard has been known to take people from inside their houses! The famous Panar Leopard and Rudraprayag Leopard of India are startling examples (more on man-eating later!).<br /><br />Solitary creatures, leopards come in unison for mating, that may occur seasonally or year-round depending on the individual sub-specie. Two or three cubs are born that the female takes great care to protect and hide, warning intruders into its territory by roaring and hissing (leopard's growl is slightly different from lion and tiger's loud roars - I personally find the rumbling growl of the leopard more frightening!). The young are able to hunt at nearly one year of age but may stay with the mother up to one and a half to two years.<br /><br />Leopard often appears on coat of arms of nations and has great admiration worldwide for its beauty, something that poachers relish as they try to market its splendid fur. Though not vulnerable as a specie yet, leopard is under threat in certain parts of the world, spared only by its adaptability and reclusive nature!<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Pets and Animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151856227948288685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359114480345461292.post-64020738029565946992010-02-02T07:11:00.000-08:002010-02-02T07:16:34.194-08:00Beware of the Dog<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/S2hBpZlZ-lI/AAAAAAAAAG4/gQ-NNpGCZ30/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 102px; height: 127px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/S2hBpZlZ-lI/AAAAAAAAAG4/gQ-NNpGCZ30/s320/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433665129920723538" border="0" /></a><br /> <!-- Copyright 2000 Buzzle.com --> Samantha Frost sleeps with her pit bull terrier Rex. She is eight years old and the five-month-old pup has already bitten her once. The little girl raises the heel of her hand to show the small scar that marks the day when the dog was a "bit giggly" and attacked her. She had shouted at him to get down off the sofa and he had responded with his incisors. Luckily, he let go - pit bulls usually lock on to their victims and try to rip, a trait that has led them to be labelled "devil dogs".<br /><br />Samantha and Rex have become inseparable since he moved into her terraced home in Salford. This week, Samantha's mother, Claire, 24, became all too aware of how Rex could be a time-bomb waiting to go off, after five-year-old Ellie Lawrenson was savaged to death on New Year's Day by her uncle's "pit bull-type" dog. Ellie had been staying with her grandmother, Jackie Simpson, when she was attacked at 4.30am. The dog, Reuben, which also hospitalised Simpson, was shot by police officers.<br /><br />The RSPCA says Claire should seriously consider having Rex put down. Martin Marsh, the charity's chief inspector for the Merseyside region, said: "We could not, in all conscience, rehouse a known biter. Anybody who has a dog that's bitten a child should not leave the child alone with the dog. I would say it's bordering on criminal letting that child sleep with the dog. You may as well leave that child with a loaded shotgun. It's a no-win situation. The only way forward there is that the mother should be seriously considering whether the poor sod should be euthanased."<br /><br />When Claire paid £300 for the white puppy with a patch on his eye she had no idea that he was an illegal breed, that traditionally his forebears had been reared for fighting and had been known to attack not just other animals, but adults and children.<br /><br />"When I got him, I didn't have a clue about dogs," she explains. "My daughter said "get me a brother or a sister or a dog", so I opted for the dog. After I got him people told me he was a pit bull terrier. I got him from my friend, his dog had had a load of puppies and I took one, not knowing what they were. I want to get rid of him but I don't like breaking my daughter's heart. I didn't have a clue whether he was legal or not, then people told me he was illegal but it was too late."<br /><br />Rex's breed was made illegal under the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act, along with Japanese tosas, fila brasileiro and dogo argentino. The only way Samantha would be allowed to keep him is if her mother obtained a certificate of exemption from a court after having Rex neutered, insuring him, having a transponder implanted beneath his skin and marking him with an identification tattoo. Rex should also be leashed and muzzled in public places and led by a person over the age of 16. Like many owners of pit bulls, or pit bull crosses - which are also illegal - Claire was wholly unaware of the law.<br /><br />"He has had his injections, the vet didn't say anything about it being a full pit bull or that it wasn't legal. It's not worrying me that it's illegal. I don't really know much about the law," she says. "Every time I mention getting rid of him, she's heartbroken. But I keep thinking, 'what if it takes her face off?'. I am scared now and I will never leave him alone with her. I have never left her alone with him since he bit her hand. I have told her if he bites her again he will be put down. You just don't think your dog's going to do it. The more he is growing up the more you realise he is capable of it."<br /><br />Samantha has been told that a little girl, just like her, was killed by a dog just like Rex. She seems confused because her bite was "just a little bit sore" and she says that she sleeps alone with the dog. She says: "I am not scared of him - I love him. Well, I am not scared of him any more. When I first got him I was a little bit scared but now I am just used to him being around. I am a little bit scared that he might bite me again."<br /><br />The Office of National Statistics records the number of deaths caused by dangerous dogs as an average of 2.3 a year from 1999 to 2005. More than 3,000 people are recorded injured by dogs each year but many more incidents, like Samantha's bite, go unreported. In 2005, three people were convicted of breeding a fighting dog or from a fighting dog while just over 400 were found guilty of allowing a dog "to be dangerously out of control in a public place injuring a person". This can be any dog, not just the four that are illegal.<br /><br />There is no breakdown for pit bull attacks but they have historically been bred to be fearsome, vicious attack dogs that are willing to fight to the death. Some are tortured or inbred to make them more vicious. There is a burgeoning, hidden market in pit bulls despite the dogs being virtually outlawed. In reality, Rex simply shouldn't exist.<br /><br />Martin Marsh says: "With the 1991 act, if you follow it to the letter, those dogs that people have should have been neutered and we should be getting to a stage where every pit bull should have naturally died of old age. There's obviously breeding going on in the country, some of it organised through dog fighters and people who never got them registered and neutered in the first place. The natural gene pool has been watered down and there are a lot of crosses. You do have your pure breeds that are being produced totally illegally."<br /><br />Since the attack on Ellie Lawrenson, there has been an influx to Merseyside's RSPCA kennel of pit-bull type strays as people abandon them in fear. In recent years, Marsh explains, there has been a marked increase in the number of these dogs on the streets. "You see a large number of fellas with these big, powerful breeds. They are tough guys, big hard men and they have got big hard dogs. They like the kudos that goes with it."<br /><br />There are, he says, responsible owners and irresponsible ones. The latter "are people who keep them as status symbols, irresponsible owners who don't think about other people". It is not pit bulls, as a breed, that is the problem, but the owners.<br /><br />Some breed or keep the dogs for fighting. Marsh explains: "We know dog fighting goes on in Merseyside. You have got your amateurish sparring on street corners and the guys who will meet up for a 10-minute roll with the dogs in the park. It goes on and then they move on. There is proper professional dog fighting that is extremely well-organised and well-hidden. It is hard to get close to and get to the bottom of."<br /><br />Joe Dowd is no longer involved in the pit bull fighting game in the Manchester area. "My last fighting dog was 10 years old when he suddenly started snapping at people, so he had to go. They're a lovely animal, but you can't always trust them - and you certainly can't trust the ordinary public with them, you have to understand them," he says.<br /><br />Joe got his first pit bull in the early 1990s when there were around 20 fights a month on either side of the Pennines. Staged mostly on farms, dogs would be matched by weight - "just the same as boxing really", he says. There would be a referee and a qualified vet in attendance. The two contestants, held on a leash initially, would face up to each other in the sandpit which formed the ring. When the leads were slipped, the animals would fight until one of them turned "tail-a sign" indicating that he had had enough.<br /><br />Before the 1991 act, the animals were imported from America, where only prolific winners would be used as sires. "Technically," says Joe. "Pit bulls are just a bigger version of a staffordshire bull terrier, but whereas staffs have been domesticated for a long time, pit bulls are still being bred from dogs that are still fighting."<br /><br />Joe left the game when the gangsters moved in. "They were making money from drugs and protection and started going to the fights to enhance their macho image," he explains. "They would intimidate the referee into allowing dogs to fight to the death. They would also match dogs of different weights, knowing that the bigger dogs would have a massive advantage. Fights would then take place in any available venue, cellars, council house bedrooms, you name it."<br /><br />Joe says he has nothing but contempt for the current crop of "irresponsible" owners, saying that they have no idea of how to train a dog.<br /><br />"I've seen the dogs in their big collars, with weights attached. They think it strengthens the dog's neck muscles. It doesn't - the best way to do that is to hang a tyre, let the dog jump up and 'rag it' and a good strong dog will hang there, by its teeth, for maybe quarter of an hour or more."<br /><br />Treadmills in the back garden are the sign of a lazy owner. Younger owners, he says, don't take fighting seriously. "Maybe they have the odd little set-to in the park, but mainly they keep them to boost their macho image. They are saying, 'look at me, I'm in control of this tough dog, that must make me tough'."<br /><br />Mitchell Bryan, 18, is one of the new type of owners, who got his pit bull crossbred Lynch not for fighting but because his idols have them. "If you look at these rap stars in these videos, they have got them and you want to listen to them and you want one too," he explains, before springing to the defence of his dog. "If this was an angry pit bull, I would have to hold it on a lead and it would try to bite people but it doesn't. I wouldn't leave it in a room with my little sister. They might just jump on her or bite her. With a pit bull you can train them to do anything."<br /><br />Mitchell's 15-month-old dog is a beautiful specimen, the brindle and white colours on his back clean and shiny: he pulls and tugs on his leash but does not bare his teeth. Mitchell got him from a friend for £100 but did not know he was illegal. He says: "I think this is legal because the police don't ever say anything about him. And he's had his needles done, so he must have been to a vet. Maybe he's semi-legal."<br /><br />The increasing fondness for pit bulls among people like Mitchell and the attack on Ellie has led Merseyside chief constable Bernard Hogan-Howe to call for a national amnesty. He has this week introduced an amnesty in his own force area. Last year, he said, there were 68 incidents involving dangerous dogs on Merseyside. His officers seized eight pit bull dogs, believed to be used for dog fighting on Wednesday nights. His proposal was immediately criticised by the Kennel Club. Branding it a "knee-jerk response", a spokeswoman said: "We do not welcome the pit bull amnesty or any other breed-specific knee-jerk response reminiscent of the rushed, and ineffective, Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. While we understand the intentions of the amnesty to reduce the number of dog attacks, the Kennel Club is of the view that displays of aggressive behaviour by any dog, regardless of breed, is the responsibility of the dog's owner."<br /><br />Claire and Samantha may take heart that just because Rex is a pit bull terrier it does not mean that he will kill - the Kennel Club mantra is "Blame the deed, not the breed". But they need to know how to train the puppy and neither of them have had a dog before, never mind a pit bull. As Rex bounds in from the back yard, clothed in a special doggy jumper, Claire shakes her head: "I'll have to find him a new home. He could just snap." The tears well up in Samantha's eyes. "On the pit bull website," says the child. "You can see a little baby sleeping with a big massive pit bull. I want to sleep with Rex."<br /><br /><em class="bold">A nation and its dogs</em><br /><br /><br /><em class="bold">6.8m</em> UK dog population as estimated by Pet Food Manufacturers Association. Of these, 1.6m are mongrels<br /><br /><em class="bold">2.3</em> People killed by dogs each year. Before Ellie Lawrenson, the most recent fatality was Cadey-Lee Deacon, five months, in September 2006<br /><br /><em class="bold">3,000</em> The number of people injured by dogs each year<br /><br /><em class="bold">23,000</em> The number of neglected dogs looked after by the RSPCA in 2005. Lifestyle changes mean there are fewer owners<br /><br /><em class="bold">37.5p</em> The price of a dog licence. But when they were abolished in 1987 fewer than half of owners held one<br /><br /><em class="bold">£22,000</em> The average cost of owning a dog over its lifetime. Great Danes cost £3,216 a year, a Jack Russell £212<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Pets and Animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151856227948288685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359114480345461292.post-79840892193778873452010-01-21T05:58:00.000-08:002010-01-21T06:14:52.884-08:00Information Regarding the Gorilla<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/S1hhN0xYdaI/AAAAAAAAAGY/K-7koLmpgaY/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 117px; height: 141px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/S1hhN0xYdaI/AAAAAAAAAGY/K-7koLmpgaY/s320/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429196240927094178" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Great apes, gorillas seem to have evolved from lesser apes nearly twenty million years ago. They are currently divided variously into species and subspecies, though four distinct subspecies seem to be somewhat agreed upon: Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla Beringei Beringei), Cross River Gorilla (Gorilla Gorilla Diehli), Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla Gorilla Gorilla) and Eastern Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla Beringei Graueri).<br /><br />Physical features vary amongst subspecies with Mountain Gorillas being the largest and hairiest of the four. They also are the darkest in color. Lowland Gorillas have longer arms and lighter coloration, being in the range of brown to gray in case of the Western Lowland Gorilla. Males of the species are bigger with weight averaging around four hundred pounds, though larger individuals of over five hundred pounds have been recorded in the wild and more often in captivity. Height is between five and a half to six feet. Females are nearly half that size with an average body weight of two hundred pounds and height generally under five feet. Overall body structure is bulky in case of both genders and upper body is very well developed including wide chest and strong shoulders with long and powerful limbs. Gorillas have opposable thumbs and move on all fours in a form known as knuckle-walking. The have been documented to use tools like chimps in the wild. Head is big with a prominent sagittal crest and strong jaws, including well developed canines. Eyes are small and brown and nose is uniquely patterned like human finger prints.<br /><br />Despite their display in certain films and media as aggressive, dangerous beasts, gorillas are totally harmless and calm animals. They live in small groups headed by an adult male 'silverback' gorilla, named after a saddle shaped pattern of silver hair on the back. Younger 'blackback' males at times support the leader who makes all the choices regarding foraging and eating. They live in tropical and subtropical forests in equatorial Africa, usually occupying limited ranges of a few square kilometers per tribe. They spend their day eating leaves, twigs, fruits, branches, shoots, bamboos and even insects. Silverback leads them to their daily place of feeding and also takes care to supervise and protects its tribe. In case an intruder threatens to invade the group's space, silverbacks show aggression through roaring, beating of chest, breaking and throwing of bamboos and objects and charging. Though gorillas can climb trees, they spend most of their time on the ground. Every evening they prepare nests in which to spend their night. These nests are distinct and enable researchers to accurately predict the numbers of gorillas in a locality by simply counting of the nests.<br /><br />Gorillas are seen in countries of Central and West Africa. Mountain Gorillas are seen at high altitudes in Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda. Lowland Gorillas reside in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Congo, Republic of Congo, Gabon and Democratic Republic of Congo. Unfortunately unstable political climate and the war like atmosphere of these parts has not been conductive towards the great apes in the past and as a result, gorillas exist in small pockets today on the map of Africa.<br /><br />Maturity is reached in gorillas at nearly ten years of age. Females give birth after every three to four years, following a gestation period of near eight and a half months. Mothers look after the young for up to three to four years. As adulthood is reached, the young often move off to establish their own families. Silverbacks are older than twelve years.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Pets and Animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151856227948288685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359114480345461292.post-39842751907405766722010-01-20T05:02:00.000-08:002010-01-20T05:13:20.711-08:00Pet Goldfish<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/S1cBXHelgnI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/S-uBgRXpOzA/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 103px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/S1cBXHelgnI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/S-uBgRXpOzA/s320/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428809372474376818" border="0" /></a><br /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-12.png" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-13.png" alt="" /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204); font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-style: italic;">it's hard to escape the charm of a goldfish. This member of the carp family is one of the oldest fishes to have been domesticated. The </span><span style="font-style: italic;">goldfish</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> that we commonly have today in our aquariums trace their origins to the brown/olive/dark-gray variety of goldfish in East Asia. Despite its name, selective breeding has created a variety of goldfish of different colors and which can be kept in ponds as well as in aquariums. However, the ones that are of the more fancy type aren't usually able to stand wide temperature fluctuations that they may be subjected to if they are kept outside in a pond. So for those who want own a goldfish as a pet or already have one, need to choose the right variety depending upon where they are going to keep it. Whether it is kept as an </span><span style="font-style: italic;">aquarium fish</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> or in the pond, pet goldfish care is important to ensure that these flamboyant fishes add to the beauty of your home.</span> <b style="font-style: italic;"><u>Pet Goldfish Care</u></b> <b style="font-style: italic;">Type of Goldfish</b> <span style="font-style: italic;"> Though there is a wide variation as far as color of goldfish is concerned, broadly, there are two types of goldfishes. One type is the egg-shaped body goldfish and the other is the flat-body goldfish. The latter are hardier than than those with egg-shaped bodies and hence are an ideal choice for beginners. Therefore, avoid choosing any of the egg-body shaped </span><span style="font-style: italic;">goldfish types</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> that include the oranda, pearlscale, telescope-eyed, black moor, ranchu, bubble-eye and others, to be kept in a pond. (Fantail, ryukin, and black moor however, are exceptions to this rule). The flat-body variety includes the common goldfish, comet, wakin, and shubunkin goldfish.</span> <b style="font-style: italic;">Fish Tank</b> <span style="font-style: italic;"> Whatever the size and age of your pet goldfish, ensure that it has enough space to move around freely. The ideal goldfish tank is an all glass, silicone sealed aquarium that should be as big as the owner can afford. However, the </span><span style="font-style: italic;">fish tank</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> should never be smaller than 24 x 12 x 12 inches in size for housing two large goldfish at the same time. A tank of this size would approximately hold 50 liters of water that besides providing enough space for the fishes to move, is also enough to dilute the ammonia that they excrete. </span> <span style="font-style: italic;"> The next aspect of </span><span style="font-style: italic;">goldfish care</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> is where to place the aquarium. Choose a spot that would not expose the tank to direct sunlight. Also keep the tank in a low noise area of the house. The sunlight factor is important from the point of view that goldfish are cold water fishes and do not adapt well to wide temperature fluctuations. This is specially true of the fancier varieties as already discussed. The ideal temperature of a goldfish tank is anywhere between 65 to 68º F. Despite the fact that being a cold water fish, they do not need a thermostat like tropical fishes do but it is important to ensure that the temperature of the fish tank never drops below 50º F.</span> <b style="font-style: italic;">Cleaning</b> <span style="font-style: italic;"> Cleanliness of the environment is important for proper pet goldfish care. Avoid using tap water to fill the aquarium. However, if you have to fall back on tap water, then be sure to treat it with water conditioner to reduce the chances of introducing contaminants to your fishes' environment. Though many people use bottled water, distilled or ionized water is a strict no-no for goldfish aquarium. As far as </span><span style="font-style: italic;">aquarium care</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> is concerned, never use soaps or detergents to clean the fish tank or accessories used to decorate it. It is best to use a 10% bleach solution and soak the aquarium paraphernalia in it for 15 minutes and then wash them thoroughly. Let them dry completely so that no trace of bleach residue is left on them. Goldfish tend to pollute their water frequently hence, water in their tank should be changed regularly. For this, do a partial water change once every week or at least once in every two weeks. Never change more than 25 to 30% of the fish tank water at a time. When you add fresh water, ensure that it is de-chlorinated, or that the water has sat overnight for enough oxygen to dissolve in it. Another useful </span><span style="font-style: italic;">goldfish care tip</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> is to use a water filter and ensure proper aeration in the aquarium. </span> <b style="font-style: italic;">Feeding</b> <span style="font-style: italic;"> Goldfish are omnivores, i.e they eat both plants and worms and the good news is that they love variety too! Dry pellets available at the local pet store is a good choice. However, before feeding your fish with these, soak them in aquarium water for a couple of minutes so that they expand before the fish eats them. Goldfish also love eating frozen, live or gel based foods. However, while feeding live foods to your fish, you also expose it to the risk of ingesting parasites which are sources of </span><span style="font-style: italic;">goldfish diseases</span><span style="font-style: italic;">. Hence, the freeze dried varieties are safer than the live ones. Blood worms, shrimps, meal worms and daphnia are some of the favorite items on the goldfish menu.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"> Besides feeding them the right type of food, it is also important to give goldfishes the right amount of food. Goldfish owners always run the risk of overfeeding their pets which may spell serious trouble for the fish. Feeding the fish once a week is sufficient. Also do not add more food to the tank than what the fish eats within the first 5 minutes. Anything more than that may lead to overfeeding the fish as well as polluting the aquarium.</span></span> <br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Pets and Animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151856227948288685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359114480345461292.post-17445903607766362132010-01-18T08:43:00.000-08:002010-01-18T08:46:44.302-08:00Hamsters as Pets for Children<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/S1SQSuVG44I/AAAAAAAAAGA/uERcik_Sc2Q/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 123px; height: 136px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/S1SQSuVG44I/AAAAAAAAAGA/uERcik_Sc2Q/s320/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428122102236898178" border="0" /></a><br />Children are fascinated by pets and many parents are confused about choosing the right pet for their kids. Most of the kids, who are under the age of ten, may go for small, hairy, cuddly animals, like, teddy bear hamsters as pets. This is the reason why most kids pester their parents for a hamster as pet. Hamsters are very popular as pets and are considered as the best small pets for children. But, are pet hamsters good for small children? While most parents have speculations about why hamsters make the best pet for kids, there are others, who readily succumb to the pestering of their kids. Hence, it is better to have a fair idea regarding hamsters as pets for children.<br /><br /><b>More About Hamsters</b><br />We all know that hamsters are tiny, hairy creatures that resemble rat and mice. They are mammals that belong to the class of rodents. The word hamster is derived from a German word, meaning 'to hoard'. They have the habit of hoarding food with the help of their cheek pouches. In their natural habitat, they run around in search of food and once they find it, they store it in their cheek pouches. This food will be stored in their burrows for later use. These nocturnal animals come in different colors and attractive markings. The most popular pet hamster is the six-inch Syrian hamster, which is otherwise known as the golden hamster. There are many other species, like, Roborovsky’s Djungarian, Chinese hamster, White Russian (Siberian) dwarf hamster, Campbell's Russian dwarf hamsters, etc. While the Syrian hamsters are bigger in size as compared to others, they have a good lifespan too. The lifespan of Syrian hamsters ranges between two to three years, whereas others live up to 12 or 18 months. Now, you have a basic idea about hamsters, so, we shall take a look at the various aspects of hamsters as pets. Read more on the facts about dwarf hamsters.<br /><br /><b>Advantages of Hamsters as Pets</b><br />There are many reasons behind the popularity of hamsters as pets. They are one amongst the inexpensive pets category and are often called as 'pocket pets' for their small size. Hamsters are perfect as pets for those people that find it difficult to afford expensive pets and also for those that have a shortage of space for larger pets. They are sure to win the hearts of your kids with their antics, as hamsters love to roll on the ground, like small, soft balls, and they climb tunnels and make funny movements. They are quite entertaining and require minimal care, which includes, food, water, bedding, some toys, vitamins and minerals. The hamster house has to be cleaned regularly and fresh water and food should be provided on a regular basis.<br /><br /><b>Hamsters as Pets for Kids</b><br />Selecting the right animal as a pet for your kids is a difficult task. Children may have their own priorities, but before giving in to their pestering, you must have some idea about these pets. If you kid wants a hamster, you must get some information about these animals, their habits, requirements, compatibility with kids, and you must also know about how to care for your pet hamsters. You are already aware of the advantages of hamsters as pets. But, this animal has many disadvantages too. In general, hamsters have short lifespans, they are nocturnal, can bite, can escape easily, take time to socialize, chew on everything, breed rapidly and the males have urine that has a strong smell. Now, coming to hamsters as pets for children, we shall make two categories – kids under the age of five and those who are above that age. For the second category, hamsters can be good pets, as they are entertaining, of small size, require less care, etc. But as these animals are nocturnal, they will be active during the night time, when your children sleep. You will also have to wary of its bite, especially when they are awakened during the day or when handled improperly. These animals are so fragile, that the kids have to be gentle while handling these tiny, furry creatures. You can also opt for hamsters as classroom pets. Read more on the hamsters life span.<br /><br />For a child, who is under the age of five, hamsters are not a good choice. There is no point in adopting a nocturnal animal as a pet for small children. Apart from that, the biting tendency of hamsters may hurt your child and small kids may not be able to handle these small creatures gently and properly. Above all, like some other "nontraditional" pets, like turtles, hedgehogs, lizards and baby chicks, hamsters too carry harmful and deadly germs that can cause infections in small children. Even though, others are also exposed to this risk, kids under the age of five are more prone to infections, because of their still-developing immune systems and their habit of putting their hands in their mouths. According to health experts, hamsters can also carry harmful germs that can cause severe diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps in small children. You have to be extra cautious of your kids when they handle hamsters and the hamsters should be cleaned regularly and properly, along with their shelter. Precautions like regular hand washing are also advisable. Read more about hamsters.<br /><br />Now, you are aware of the pros and cons of hamsters as pets for children. Pets are good for children, but make sure that you keep infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers away from pets, especially the non-traditional ones, in order to avoid the risk of infections. Or else, you can consult the veterinarian about the specific risks associated with your pet and adopt measures to minimize or eliminate the risks. You can also wait for your child to get older and then bring your favorite pet into your home.<!-- From http://www.buzzle.com/articles/hamsters-as-pets-for-children.html --> <!-- google_ad_section_end --> <br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Pets and Animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151856227948288685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359114480345461292.post-64158845263365996682010-01-17T07:24:00.000-08:002010-01-17T07:36:42.140-08:00Take Care of Your Horse’s SmileHere are some facts about the cutting edge of equine dentistry. You may think horse dentistry is a new fad, but there is nothing new under the sun. When our livelihoods depended on equines, horse dentistry was a lively profession for practitioners in every county. Well-known in Europe in the fourteenth century, the observation of horse's teeth goes back at least two thousand years. For the past couple of centuries, Europeans have had a particularly strong interest in horse's teeth. The tools which were being made by the end of the nineteenth century would still not be out of place in a modern horse dentist's set of tools – although diamond technology has brought advances in cutting, burring and grinding tools, which uncannily grind tooth enamel while leaving softer tissues such as the inside of cheeks unscathed on contact. There are currently about 25 horse dentistry tool manufacturers in the U.S.<br /><br />So, what does an equine dentist do, and which horses could benefit from their practices? An equine dentist basically equilibrates a horse's teeth in a number of ways. Horses in the natural state do not usually require dentistry, the same as they do not require a furrier. Free-roaming horses eat a lot of hard plants with a high woody content, as well as grasses with silicates. These are abrasive substances, which wear down the incisors as the horse tears at the grass stalks. Hay-fed horses do not need to use their incisors in the same way, with the result that these do not get worn down and eventually get so long that the horse cannot close its mouth sufficiently to use the molars to grind its food.<br /><br />All horses could benefit from the services of an equine dentist, although only a small proportion receives them. Even if your vet checks your horse’s teeth every half year, the chances are very high that there are points on the outside of the upper premolars and molars which are causing either constant discomfort or digging ulcerations in the cheeks. A thorough oral examination requires the use of a full-mouth speculum and a mild sedative or relaxant.<br /><br />The most discerning owners tend to call in a specialized dentist as standard procedure, because it can improve a horse's performance dramatically and prolong active life for up to a decade. Dental work always improves the horse's digestion, and better food uptake means better performance. Over and above that, a surprising proportion of horses suffer from tooth maladies which affect the way they take the bit. A tendency to resist turning in a particular direction is, for example, a strong indication that the horse has some kind of problem on that side of its mouth. If turning is uncomfortable, the horse is going to act up. It may be simply a question of getting the bit to sit more comfortably to cause an immediate change in the behavior of the horse.<br /><br />Many horses have persistent problems which cause uneven eating, distortions of facial muscle development and a build-up of pressure, which in turn can lead to constant headaches. When the horse first experiences relief from this, typically during the first session of dental treatment, under mild sedation, the effects can be dramatic. Have you ever seen a horse smile?<br /><br />Friction can arise between dental practitioners and standard vets, who have very different approaches to dental problems. Typically, a vet is called in to file down teeth when they become long, but tends to do so in a very uniform manner, which does not take into account the natural variations in the horse's own way of grinding, or the angles of the teeth necessary for comfortable eating. Incorrect filing can radically change the angle of impact and effectively prevent the horse from eating.<br /><br />There is unfortunately no accredited certification program for equine dentistry through veterinary organizations. Ironically, only veterinary practitioners are legally empowered to practice equine dentistry, although many are not capable of the most basic form of it. Vets sometimes act in conjunction with a highly specialized and trained lay-dentist. The equine dentists themselves are a rare breed. Because of the problems they are up against in terms of training programs and chances to practice freely, they tend to be fierce animal lovers with a high commitment to their chosen profession and an almost evangelical passion to spread the word. There is a worldwide network of practitioners, who are in constant consultation for problem-solving and sharing new techniques and findings. A visit from and equine dentist can be as rewarding an experience for the owner as it is for the horse.<br /><br />For pet portrait paintings let portrait artists like Jerry Carpos do the job. They will turn any ordinary pet photo into oil painting horse portraits. <!-- From http://www.buzzle.com/articles/take-care-of-your-horses-smile.html --> <!-- google_ad_section_end --> <br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Pets and Animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151856227948288685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359114480345461292.post-84767288392812245262010-01-16T06:37:00.001-08:002010-01-16T06:42:31.789-08:00Top 10 Most Common Backyard Birds<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/S1HQRvyN2VI/AAAAAAAAAFw/IKtbbKkPvw4/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 145px; height: 115px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/S1HQRvyN2VI/AAAAAAAAAFw/IKtbbKkPvw4/s320/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427348029261601106" border="0" /></a><br />You probably hear birds chirping and singing every day, but did you ever stop to identify what bird you were hearing? Birdwatching, also known as birding, has become an increasingly popular hobby in many parts of the world. Fortunately you don’t have to travel to remote locations to observe birds in their natural habitats. Often, all you need is a window in your home to peer out or a bench in your backyard to observe from. Field guides with pictures and bird descriptions are helpful and so are binoculars, but they are not necessary for the beginning bird watcher. Here is a list of the most common backyard birds across America:<br /><br />1. American Goldfinch: These small finches are active in spring and early summer and are bright yellow with a black forehead and black wings. They can be quite acrobatic and fly with a flouncy pattern and often call while in flight, drawing attention to themselves. During the winter they turn a drab, streaked color and often come out to the feeder more often. They feed primarily on sunflower and nyjer seeds.<br /><br />2. Baltimore Oriole: These birds are black on top with orange underbellies and black wings with white stripes. If you wish to attract these birds try placing orange halves or grape jelly in a fruit feeder in early spring.<br /><br />3. Belted Kingfisher: These blue-gray birds are on the larger side at 12 to 14 inches long with a dramatic crest on their heads resembling a Mohawk. They build their nests in tunnels near the banks of their fishing territory.<br /><br />4. Blue Jay: These colorful birds are bright blue with white faces and streaked white wings. They are typically around 9 to 12 inches tall and can be a bit of a bully at the bird feeder. If you wish to attract these birds to your yard try a hopper style feeder filled with black oil sunflower seeds.<br /><br />5. Cardinal: One of the most admired birds in the backyard the Cardinal has been named the state bird of seven US States. This 8 inch long bird is bright red with a pointed crest on top of the head. The females are mostly brown; however, both sexes have small black masks on their faces. They enjoy black oil sunflower seeds and tend to feed and mate together. Some Cardinals even mate for life.<br /><br />6. Carolina Wrens: These small brown birds are often have light brown bellies with dark brown backs and wings. They also have a bright white line above the eyes that looks like a pronounced eyebrow that helps to identify them. These birds often mate in pairs for life like the Cardinal.<br /><br />7. Mountain Bluebird: These birds struggle to find nesting sites and often benefit from the placement of birdhouses. They are approximately 7 inches long and are bright blue all over. Females are grayish with blue heads and tails. Their song is robin-like with a slightly higher pitch.<br /><br />8. Red-headed Woodpecker: These aggressive birds are bright white and black with bright red heads and prefer to feed from suet feeders. Their primary diet consists of insects they catch in mid-air; however, they will feed on black oil sunflower seeds.<br /><br />9. Robin: These red-breasted birds are the largest of the thrush family and are often found in backyards even through the winter, as long as it is mild. Robins feed from fruit left on trays in ledge feeders and prefer to line their nests with mud. Robins also live for about 14 years providing they make it through their first year.<br /><br />10. Starlings: These birds are quite populous all over the country so their habits can be easily studied. They are around 8 inches long with a short stocky build and a square tipped tail. Their bills are yellow in the summer and black in the winter with an all over dark colored plumage.Pets and Animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151856227948288685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359114480345461292.post-25234847450808949252010-01-16T06:37:00.000-08:002010-01-16T06:39:23.192-08:00Top 10 Most Common Backyard BirdsYou probably hear birds chirping and singing every day, but did you ever stop to identify what<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />.Pets and Animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151856227948288685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359114480345461292.post-53119794834600509212010-01-14T08:36:00.000-08:002010-01-14T08:38:42.897-08:00Considerations When Looking to Castrate a Horse<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/S09Ig2mClWI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/ey0tfO1OxvU/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 115px; height: 138px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/S09Ig2mClWI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/ey0tfO1OxvU/s320/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426635805252818274" border="0" /></a><br /><p>Whether quite young or later on in life, a colt may be castrated for one or many reasons. The horse may be hard to manage or perhaps isn’t considered valuable as a stallion and so the decision is made to geld it.</p> <p>There are generally two options put forward by a vet regarding how to go about gelding the horse. A standing castration carried out where the horse resides is one possibility while sending the male horse into an equine hospital to go under anaesthetic is the other option. Either way, the horse needs to be at an age where both testes have descended through the inguinal ring and are palpable by a vet.</p> <h3 class="dynamic">A Standing Castration can be Appealing on a Financial Level</h3> <ul><li>the horse doesn’t have to be transported to a vet hospital which can cost or take up valuable time</li><li>there isn’t the expense of putting the horse under anaesthetic or other hospital associated costs</li></ul><p>There will probably however be expenses associated with the vet having to make a call out. If the vet is already frequenting the farm for other reasons – mares getting lined up to be bred, perhaps – then this may not be an issue.</p> <p>Others prefer the option of sending the horse in to be gelded under anaesthetic. This can be appealing to the owner who isn’t sure about post operative care or hasn’t a decent place on the property for the horse to be castrated.</p> <h3 class="dynamic">Management of the Recently Gelded Colt</h3> <p>Post operative care of a horse that has been castrated should be pretty low maintenance. It’s not uncommon for the male horse to be swollen around the sheath area and this should be noted and monitored. Any concerns can be raised with the vet but the swelling should diminish over the short term</p><br />Read more at Suite101: Considerations When Looking to Castrate a Horse: When to Geld a Colt and What Process to Undertake http://horse-breeding.suite101.com/article.cfm/considerations_when_looking_to_castrate_a_horse#ixzz0cWaTHzpRPets and Animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151856227948288685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359114480345461292.post-24532114973412101572010-01-13T08:33:00.000-08:002010-01-13T08:37:40.251-08:00The Popular German Shepherd<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/S032w3ln8NI/AAAAAAAAAFI/IUWyeYsX0FY/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 105px; height: 142px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/S032w3ln8NI/AAAAAAAAAFI/IUWyeYsX0FY/s320/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426264445467226322" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica;font-size:85%;">German Shepherds are a well-loved and popular dog breed. They are strong, agile and muscular animals. German Shepherds are beautiful dogs with distinct personality characteristics. They usually adapt well to training and are admired for their intelligence.<br /><br />German Shepherds make good guide dogs for the blind. They are often recruited by law enforcement officials and trained as police dogs. They are helpful companions for the handicapped as well. If you’re looking for a courageous, loyal companion, these dogs make a good choice. They are both protective and devoted companions.<br /><br />German Shepherds are medium size dogs, neither small nor overly large. They are robust and muscular in structure yet they are graceful in their movements. Their fur can be either short or long in length with a somewhat wavy or wiry texture. German Shepherds can have variations in the color of their coats ranging from the standard tan and black to solid black, or white. There are also German Shepherds with tri colored coats such as the tan, black and white combination.<br /><br />These dogs have an average weight of seventy-five to ninety-five pounds. Although they are strong, sturdy dogs some German Shepherds may be prone to hip dysplasia, skin allergies and eye or ear problems though such health problems are usually due to poor breeding.<br /><br />German Shepherd dogs were originally used to herd sheep and cattle. Their natural guarding instinct made them very good at their job. Even as household pets and companions these dogs are very protective and tend to guard the family flock. German Shepherds are very energetic and active dogs. They need plenty of room to run. The German Shepherd’s ability to get along with other pets in a household depends on factors such as breeding and training though typically when raised with other pets they will do well.<br /><br />The average lifespan of the German Shepherd breed is ten to thirteen years. The popular and sociable German Shepherd can be a wonderful addition to any family. They can provide you with years of love, loyalty and protection and you will come to respect your companion for his intelligent, dependable nature. A German Shepherd companion will become a loveable, lifelong friend.</span>Pets and Animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151856227948288685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359114480345461292.post-54976749809855132432010-01-13T08:30:00.000-08:002010-01-13T08:33:28.199-08:00Labrador Retrievers: Perfect Companions?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/S031ypW3gjI/AAAAAAAAAFA/gq7hagPi-B8/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 131px; height: 122px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/S031ypW3gjI/AAAAAAAAAFA/gq7hagPi-B8/s320/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426263376495346226" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica;font-size:85%;">Most retrievers are renowned for being generally outgoing, happy, highly energetic, and eager to please. Labrador retrievers have long been the most popular breeds in America, loved for their exuberance and for being highly responsive to their owners. Would a Lab make an ideal pet for you? Quite possibly, if you happen to be the rugged outdoor type – and if you can tolerate a somewhat chaotic environment at home.<br /><br />These dogs have energy and a strong will to match. Their powerful tails can scatter everything on your coffee table with ease. They can be single-minded at times; once they’re set on doing something, you might have a difficult time persuading them not to. The primary question to ask yourself before you bring a Lab into your home is this: can you provide it with a good outlet for all that energy and enthusiasm? If you’re accustomed to a lifestyle that involves a lot of T.V. or quiet reading, you might be better off with a Pug or other dog with similar sedentary tendencies.<br /><br />If, on the other hand, you enjoy forays out into the woods, up and down mountain trails and into the water, then a Labrador retriever might be the perfect companion for you. Labs relish the outdoors; they love to run, fetch, and swim. Above all, they love to interact with their owners as much as possible. Tell your Lab to retrieve something for you, and then praise it for a job well done, and it’ll want to repeat this activity with you again and again. Gregarious perhaps to a fault, Labs can be content with nearly anything except being cooped up or left alone.<br /><br />Labs make obedient and responsive pets if they’re trained early in life either by you (if you plan on adopting a puppy), or by a breeder (if you will be adopting a full-grown dog). Obedience training gives them a measure of self-discipline, which is essential lest these powerful dogs wreak havoc with your home life. Well-bred and trained Labs can follow simple orders and exhibit patience and restraint around children. Even so, they are prone to eat with abandon; so their diet (measured feeding as opposed to self-feeding) and level of exercise should be monitored throughout their lives.<br /><br />Labs that have received adequate obedience training make ideal pets for owners with active lifestyles. Because they’re filled with a lot of passion and zest for life, they tend to remain enthusiastic and faithful companions so long as they’re provided with a steady outlet for their energies. If you enjoy jogging around the park, hiking the backcountry and/or going out to the lake for the afternoon, you’re likely to discover that a well-trained Lab is the ideal friend to take along with you. </span>Pets and Animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151856227948288685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359114480345461292.post-64462911371101761672009-12-29T06:11:00.000-08:002009-12-29T06:13:10.338-08:00Shark Fishing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/SzoOZgxGbqI/AAAAAAAAADc/weYseyGTvcg/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 128px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/SzoOZgxGbqI/AAAAAAAAADc/weYseyGTvcg/s320/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420660932949208738" border="0" /></a><br />A couple of months ago, I went to this sleepy little town in Ecuador, known all over the world for its diving opportunities. While in the small town, it became very obvious to me that there were many sharks in the small town that were being hauled dead by the local fishermen, on a daily basis. But it took me a while to notice that I never really saw any sharks when I was diving. Not a single, solitary shark did I see in all those days that I spent in that sleepy little town diving. So, I asked myself why?<br /><br />So, some basic web researching made me see the bigger picture and now I realize (in spite of all those ads on TV) that shark decimation caused due to shark fishing is a worldwide problem. Yes, there are a handful of small organizations out there that are dedicated to coming up with various campaigns to prevent shark fishing. But, what I have noticed over the years is that there are very few large conservation organizations, or even the media who are talking about the sharp decline in sharks. Orangutans and panda bears are so cuddly and cute and when they call out for help, the dollars start pouring in. sharks on the other hand are looked upon as ferocious monstrosities that patrol surrounding coastlines and surfing beaches, just waiting to eat people. The truth however, could not be farther than this.<br /><br />While it would be downright stupid to suggest that sharks are cuddly creatures, or that they don’t ever attack innocent people, tell me when was the last time you saw a bunch of picnickers laying down a picnic hamper in a tiger’s or lion’s territory? Yet we donate thousands and thousands of dollars with the effort to save these animals from becoming extinct. Why not do the same for sharks? Like tigers, sharks also invoke in us the same feelings of fear and awe. Meeting this sleek, muscle bound and fearful killing machine face to face would be like staring death in the face. Yet you have to admire the feelings of awe and fear that they invoke in us.<br /><br />Shark fishing has indeed become a very serious problem. Since nature has blessed sharks with a very low reproductive rate so that they don’t overwhelm the reefs that they are meant to protect, this same low fecundity is actually what threatens them today. This low reproduction rate in sharks makes their extinction loom closer as they are unable to cope with the massive demand of the shark fin soup trade in the Far East. Owing to shark fishing, their numbers have plummeted by a shocking 98%! In the last 15 years itself. It has been estimated that nearly 100,00 tons of shark are being removed each year all over the world.<br /><br />The first warning sirens of shark extinctions have only now started to be publicized, but there is still no serious media involvement or airtime given to the subject. If this situation continues for some more time, it will soon be too late. Actions needs to be taken now, and it needs to be done fast.<br /><br />The oceans and marine life receive less attention than their land-inhabiting counterparts perhaps because they are not easily accessible and filming the cruelty shown towards sharks and other forms of marine life is not as easy.<br /><br />It is all very well, but many articles state that sharks are the top of the food chain without really explaining any further as to why they are on top and what would be the effects is they were removed from the top. It is impossible to save a particular ecosystem without saving those that lie at the top of the food chain, and similarly, it isn’t possible to save those lying at the top of the food chain without saving the ecosystem.<br /><br />Studies have shown that if sharks were all removed from the food chain, then the predators lying in the middle would become too predominant and the ocean reefs would become overwhelmed by these species, as a result of which the reefs would suffer greatly. And, the health of the reefs is what we need to be concerned about the most. The reefs are considered to be the lungs of the oceans, as they are the home to many different Microsystems – a home within a home. This is where most species of fish are born, and this is where they grow up unhindered by the lurking dangers of the great oceans. In damaging the reefs, we are more or less damaging our oceans. In engaging in shark fishing activities, we are directly damaging these reefs systems over which the sharks hunt.<br /><br />Many anti shark fishing organizations and protesters state that more protection is needed for our sharks. If you hear about the atrocities that they are subjected to, you’ll probably never touch seafood again. Many sharks are caught, finned and then thrown back into the waters still alive, to die a slow and painful death. Banning shark fishing wont give the sharks any respite. The fishermen will still continue to fish for sharks even if shark fishing is outlawed, all they have to do is keep the body on board and the numbers of these creature will continue to decline.<br /><br />It is however, very unlikely that we will get a worldwide ban on shark fishing, but the least we can do is put pressure on our MP’s and other political representatives to maintain sustainability of current shark stocks and to increase legislation. The least we can do is stop ourselves from ordering shark meat and shark fin soups when we go out for dinner. That is the least we can do. Shark fishing has got to stop. <!-- From http://www.buzzle.com/articles/shark-fishing.html --> <!-- google_ad_section_end -->Pets and Animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151856227948288685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359114480345461292.post-44138214972949474642009-12-29T06:02:00.000-08:002009-12-29T06:09:34.174-08:00Florida’s Big Problem: Snakes in the Grass are Big as Phone Poles<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/SzoNjBfPggI/AAAAAAAAADU/uk5yEn_N-w8/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 87px; height: 130px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/SzoNjBfPggI/AAAAAAAAADU/uk5yEn_N-w8/s320/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420659996839870978" border="0" /></a><br />Florida, land of sunshine, endless beaches, palm trees, and resort hotels, is also home to a growing number of Burmese pythons. In Florida’s Everglades National Park, 95 pythons were captured last year, not counting a 13-footer that exploded after trying to eat an alligator. In February, a group of tourists at the Pa-hay-okee Overlook came upon a battle between an alligator and a python, with the snake wrapped around the alligator in a tight embrace. After a fierce struggle, the alligator rolled over and grabbed the snake in its mouth, swimming off as the victor. Another group of tourists later watched another battle between a snake and an alligator at the Everglade’s Anhinga Trail. After spending more than 24 hours in the mouth of the alligator, the snake was able to break free and slither off into the marsh.<br /><br />The Burmese Python is a popular—and legal—pet snake in the United States. In the last five years, there have been nearly 150,000 Burmese pythons imported into the US, and hatchlings can sell for as little as $20. But once the cute baby snakes turn into 15-foot-long beasts that eat more than their owners do, many people decide to just get rid of their pets by releasing them into the wild. The snakes are perfectly at home in the Everglades’ water, heat, and vegetation, and they have no predators.<br /><br />"All of the Burmese pythons that we see in the park are a product of the international pet trade," said Skip Snow, a wildlife biologist at Everglades National Park. Snow’s office maintains a "python sightings" hotline so people can alert them to snakes on the loose. Since the mid-1990s, park rangers have had to respond to a steadily increasing number of calls about Burmese pythons in Everglades National Park. The problem is getting much worse now because the snakes are most certainly breeding in the park. They have been found eating squirrels, black rats, possums, and even house wrens.<br /><br />Wildlife officials are worried because the snakes, which can grow to 20 feet long, may also be preying on native mangrove fox squirrels and wood storks, and they could be competing with the eastern indigo snake for both food and space. The eastern indigo snake is listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a threatened species. There are also increasing serious concerns about human safety as well, since the mammoth snakes are able to subdue and kill alligators, which are much stronger than human beings.<br /><br />To keep the problem from getting even more out of hand, state Rep. Ralph Poppell is proposing a bill to add Burmese pythons to Florida’s list of regulated reptiles. The bill, which could force python buyers to complete state training, buy a license, and face jail time if they release their snakes into the wild, is being heard in committees on both sides.<br /><br />The Burmese python is just one of thousands of non-native animals and plants that have invaded the United States in the last few decades. Florida has become overrun by exotic creatures that are not indigenous, such as African monitor lizards and vervet monkeys, and other states are facing similar problems. Although some invasive species arrive here by accident, stowing away on cargo ships or inside packing materials, many plants and animals enter the U.S. legitimately as part of a booming trade in exotic pets, plants, and food items. A survey earlier this year showed that 16 species of non-native tropical fish have been found at 32 locations along the southeast coast of Florida—all of them most likely introduced when hobbyists got tired of their aquariums and dumped their fish into the ocean.<br /><br />Florida is not alone in dealing with the problem. The emerald ash borer, a metallic green Asian beetle that arrived at a Great lakes port in wooden packing material a couple of years ago, has destroyed over six million trees in Michigan. The African clawed frog, native to Kenya, eats almost anything and breeds prolifically. The frog has completely taken over Lily Pond in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, altering the ecosystem by eating insects, fish, and even birds. The only way to prevent them from spreading would be to kill them, but doing so would cost millions of dollars and California can’t afford it.<br /><br />The ecological impact of the growing threat from non-native species is a grim one. Invasive species are a leading cause of species endangerment and extinction worldwide. Almost half of the species on the endangered species list in the United States are there because of threats to their habitat from introduced species. Steven Williams, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, says that invasive species are the number one environmental threat to the United States. Experts say the US has been too slow to act in response to this growing problem, and is now paying the price. Once invasive species are established, they are virtually impossible to eradicate, so the focus is now on simply controlling them.<br /><br />Increased global travel and trade have only served to exacerbate the biological pollution. The booming trade in exotic animals as pets has compounded the problem, with Miami International Airport reportedly receiving 70 foreign shipments each day, some containing thousands of animals such as tarantulas, lizards, and snakes. Many of the species are illegally imported, and less than 3 percent of cargo containers are actually opened and checked. But many of the exotic animals are legal, including 22 of the 24 python species known around the world. Snow, the Everglades National park biologist, knows that the problem is a grave one that he deals with every single day. He has just one thing to say to pet owners who may have grown tired of their exotic animals: "Please don’t release them into the wild."Pets and Animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151856227948288685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359114480345461292.post-85549795850874433942009-12-29T05:23:00.000-08:002009-12-29T05:28:14.682-08:00Injured Bird - What to Do<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/SzoD4pPrydI/AAAAAAAAADM/as2IaaAPU7g/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 131px; height: 99px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/SzoD4pPrydI/AAAAAAAAADM/as2IaaAPU7g/s320/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420649373173008850" border="0" /></a><br /><b>Injured Bird - What to Do?</b><br />The following are some things that one can do when one encounters an injured bird.<br /><br /><u>Reduce Stress</u>: Whether or not it shows signs of physical injury, a bird that has suffered from an impact is bound to be traumatized. It will appear stunned and scared. The first approach of a human being for injured bird treatment is to call a veterinarian or a local animal rehabilitation center. If help arrives on time, nothing like it. However, till then your priority should be make the bird's environment as stress free as possible. Keep children, pets and stray animals away from an injured bird.<br /><br /><u>Calm the Bird</u>: Gently pick up the bird, with your hands over the wings, pressing the wings close to the bird's body. However, do not press the bird hard, just hold it firmly. You could put a towel around it and then handle it. To help it breathe comfortably, hold the bird up erect while picking it up and then place it in a cardboard box which is large enough for it to fit in comfortably. Make holes in the box for it to breathe, beforehand. Also line the insides with some soft material. Ensure that the box is well ventilated and place it in a dark corner. Keep the bird in this box for an hour or two. In the absence of any stimuli, the bird will calm down on its own. After this, take the bird out to an open space and remove the lid of the box. If the bird hasn't suffered any injury and has recovered from the trauma, it will fly off on it's own. Read more on building bird boxes.<br /><br /><u>Be Careful</u>: One word of caution though. The injured bird that you have encountered could be of a wild variety. It is best to let them be where they are. However, ensure that the place is free of any distractions. You could also cover it with a perforated box without moving it away from the place. In many states, it is illegal to treat wild birds. Be sure of the state laws before you treat any bird. If you have to pick it up, then for your own safety wear gloves while handling the bird. Read more on bird identification.<br /><br /><u>Do Not Feed the Bird</u>: Be it water or bread, never feed an injured bird. Different types of birds have their specific food habits and no, their menu definitely does not read like ours. Trying to feed them may just increase their trauma. Never give bread to birds as that may cause diarrhea. Besides the injury, it is improper handling that adds to the stress of an injured bird.<br /><br /><b>How to Treat Injured Bird?</b><br />It is advisable not to treat a bird on your own, unless you are left with no choice and are sure of what you are doing. Also check with the rules of the state. In many countries, only licensed individuals are allowed to care for specific species of birds. Nevertheless in case you are left with no choice as I mentioned earlier, here is what you can do: <ul><li>In case it seems that the bird has been injured by a cat, the wound needs to be cleaned as the greatest risk due to cat attack is contracting infection. Hydrogen peroxide works well for this purpose.</li><li>If the bird suffers from a broken wing, cut the toe-end of a sock and put the bird in it. Let its head out of the cut end. This is to minimize any movement of the injured wing. Be very careful while handling such a bird. You definitely don't want to damage its wing any further, do you?</li><li>In case the bird is bleeding, styptic powder, baking soda or cornflour is suggested by some, although, I personally don't have any experience with them. You could also place a gauze pad over the wound and press it firmly to stop the bleeding.</li></ul>But are you sure that the injury has been caused due to a cat attack? Or are you confident that you can examine the bird for a broken wing without further causing it any damage? Birds are fragile creatures and need to be handled with great care. In case you are in a situation where you are wondering 'what to do for an injured bird', ensure that you get professional help at the earliest.<br /><br />As for my dilemma about the little injured bird, thankfully, it was not seriously hurt. I just did what I have discussed in the initial paragraphs - I put it in a warm and well ventilated cardboard box, in a dark place. About an hour later, the bird flew away on its own. Thank God for that; my approach towards the injured bird treatment worked. That's how my story goes about injured bird - what to do. I used my judgment and it worked out fine. Hope it does for you too. All the best!<!-- From http://www.buzzle.com/articles/injured-bird-what-to-do.html --> <!-- google_ad_section_end -->Pets and Animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151856227948288685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359114480345461292.post-86447436153664475592009-12-29T05:05:00.000-08:002009-12-29T05:11:45.150-08:00Five Greyhound Training Mistakes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/SzoAB2fYCuI/AAAAAAAAAC8/et3MU5qPaUk/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 127px; height: 131px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/SzoAB2fYCuI/AAAAAAAAAC8/et3MU5qPaUk/s320/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420645133300796130" border="0" /></a><br />Despite the abundance of greyhound training sources found in the web or from word of mouth, many dog owners are still having difficulty training this athletic breed. These difficulties are more likely the result of misconceptions and trivial mistakes on the owner's part. However, these mistakes, if not corrected may lead to more serious problems over time.<br /><br />In order to yield successful greyhound training and have a healthy pet-owner relationship, the following training mistakes are best avoided:<br /><br />1. Unaware of the breed's personality.<br />Many people often made the mistake of bringing home a new pet without enough knowledge on what they are getting into. Though seems a minor issue, not knowing about the breed's temperament, health concern, grooming needs and training requirements are actually big factors for a happy dog-owner relationship. It is important that potential owners must assess themselves to determine if the breed is right for them and their lifestyle.<br /><br />2. Untimely training.<br />While the quote "you can't train old dogs new tricks" is claimed untrue by many dog enthusiasts, it is always best to start training a dog at an early age. Socialization should took place between three to six weeks of age for it is during this period when training has a lasting influence on your dog's ability to develop social relationship in the days to come. Failure to socialize a puppy at an early age may cause aggression which can be solved with proper socialization. However to most dogs, three weeks of age may be too early for obedience. Tricks and command training may start at eight weeks of age.<br /><br />3. Not knowing what training method works best for greyhound.<br />With so many training method suggested by other dog owners, trainers as well as advice from the web, some owners will probably feel at a loss as to what method works best for their greyhound. When choosing what to use on your pooch, it is very important to consider the breed's personality. Being a gentle and affectionate breed, punishment-based training may not be effective to this breed. Chances are, the said method may only lead to issues such as aggression or submissive behavior. Most experts recommend positive training for this method is proven effective not only to greyhound alone but to most breeds as well.<br /><br />4. Too much expectation.<br />Just like in the game of life, expecting too much from your dog may lead nowhere but to frustrations. And frustrations may lead you to give up or abandon the creature you originally think will make a perfect addition to your family. Dogs are intelligent creatures but that does not guarantee that they will be able to learn a certain command after an hour or so. It will take time and effort before Fido can finally perform commands such as sit, stay and down in a perfect manner.<br /><br />5. Owner's role.<br />Of all people, the owner has the most important role in achieving successful greyhound training. The owner must not only know what's hot and not on training but must also be consistent, determined and patient.Pets and Animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151856227948288685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359114480345461292.post-87060057119853495202009-12-28T23:45:00.000-08:002009-12-28T23:53:08.001-08:00The Dogs Of Fashion<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/Szm1SlZwW2I/AAAAAAAAAC0/GGXBuKE9k7U/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 132px; height: 155px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/Szm1SlZwW2I/AAAAAAAAAC0/GGXBuKE9k7U/s320/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420562957399513954" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" >As winter arrives in the northern parts of the world and we break out our down filled parkas, our fleece lined ski jackets, long-johns, hats and mittens - do we stop to think of our four legged friends and companions? Well, most of us don’t, which is hard to imagine seeing as he’s one of our best friends.</span></span> <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" > Most of the dogs that we keep have not been bred for a severely cold climate. They were bred for size, companionship, show and as working dogs. Only the Spitz-type dogs such as the Alaskan malamute and the Huskies were bred for cold climates. These are large dogs with heavy mass and thick coats that are able to retain and maintain their body heat.</span></span> <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" > Many of the larger short haired breeds such as the Bulldog, Boxer, Dalmatian and Great Dane appreciate a sweater in cold weather. However, most of the dogs we have as pets in our homes are from the medium to smaller dog breeds. These dogs, because of their smaller body mass and typically thinner coats, can get cold very quickly. Their extremities, being smaller, have a greater chance of being damaged by the cold than do the larger breeds. Small and toy dogs have an extremely hard time maintaining and retaining their body heat. At worst frigid air, snow or slush can cause your dog to get frost bite and at best it will certainly make her him not want to go outdoors for exercise, walks and toileting.</span></span> <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" > One of the best ways to protect your pet from the elements is to kit them out with specialty dog clothes designed to keep them warm. Like our own clothing, the materials used are designed for comfort and durability. Fleece, cotton and nylon are commonly used in the construction of doggie coats, capes, sweaters, shirts and boots. If you want keep your dog comfortable in cold weather you will need to purchase at the very least a coat or cape (to help retain body heat) and fleece lined nylon boots (to protect the feet from snow and cold). Almost any pet store will have dog apparel to suit most breeds. To find larger sized clothes (for breeds like the Greyhound) or specific brands and styles, you may have to search out an on-line store that carries these products.</span></span></div>Pets and Animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151856227948288685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359114480345461292.post-61120787198164469392009-12-28T23:28:00.000-08:002009-12-28T23:34:46.203-08:00Aggressive Puppy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/Szmw-um9y8I/AAAAAAAAACs/Ge9GkPyul3M/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 142px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/Szmw-um9y8I/AAAAAAAAACs/Ge9GkPyul3M/s320/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420558218226944962" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">This scenario is a common occurrence with almost all new puppy owners. Biting is something, that comes with birth in puppies. It's a way for them to prove their dominance and strength. Puppies do not part away with this quality of theirs, even when they leave their canine family and join ours; they come with them! Initially the biting may not be so pronounced or painful and that's why most owners ignore such a behavior. However, as puppies grow, so does their aggressive behavior, which can no longer be referred to as a playful nature. So, it is extremely important for owners to put a period to such a trait, before it takes the form of something irreversible. In short, 'Nip the evil in the bud'. So, here's what you can follow and consider while correcting the behavior of an aggressive puppy. Read more on </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">dog behavior</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">.</span> <b style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Aggressive Puppy Training</b> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> Whatever methods you chose for the 'puppy aggression', you must ensure that the other members of the family are also aware of the techniques. This would help in making the training consistent and effective. Read more on </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">dog training</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> The first step in taking care of an aggressive puppy behavior is, to know when to say a 'No'; a firm and a bold one. Whenever you feel that the puppy is trying to bite you or put his teeth on you, catch hold of his muzzle and make the puppy listen to a loud 'No', coming from you. You must hold the muzzle tight but ensure that it's not too much. This technique has to be repeated consistently whenever the puppy is showing any signs of biting or nibbling on you. This technique also works for the correction of an aggressive puppy's growling. Read more on </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">dog bites</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> Aggressive puppy biting may sometimes need more than just saying 'No'. When you sense that your puppy is turning a deaf ear to your saying 'No', then you need to confine him to his kennel or leave him alone in another room. This act will help the puppy to understand that what he is doing is undesired and unacceptable by his owner. </span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> The games you chose also matter when dealing with aggressive puppies. Play games which do not involve the puppies to struggle or make use of their strength. For example, teasing the puppy by holding a toy just out of his reach, would encourage him to lunge to get hold of it and this would only heighten his aggressiveness and frustration. So, playing light games is important for controlling the aggressive behavior in puppy. Read more on </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">dog obedience training</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">.</span> </div><div style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); text-align: left;"> Another smart method to do away with aggressive puppy biting is, to make use of a spray product (Bitter Apple, for example). Use the spray on just about anything which you suppose would be an object for your puppy to bite onto; even on your hands. When your puppy tries to put his mouth onto something, the flavor will make him instantly regret his decision. Whilst the training, cover your hands with the spray and let it dry for sometime. Thereafter, just go for a casual play with your puppy and let his natural instincts drive him to put his teeth on you (which he would if wants to bite you). The unpleasant flavor of the spray would give him an 'Unpleasant' experience and most hopefully, he would start refraining from this behavior.</div>Pets and Animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151856227948288685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359114480345461292.post-16106913140395980092009-12-25T21:39:00.000-08:002009-12-25T21:43:03.969-08:00Endangered White Tiger<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/SzWiWU6P4hI/AAAAAAAAACc/0bUCHcVhWA8/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 137px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/SzWiWU6P4hI/AAAAAAAAACc/0bUCHcVhWA8/s320/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419416231064101394" border="0" /></a><br />First a brief history on the endangered white tiger: white tigers are very rarely seen in the wild. In the last 100 years, only 12 white tigers have been spotted in the wild in India but they have long since been passed off as a myth. White tigers instill a sense of unmatched beauty and awe but common folklore portrays them as the beasts of death or bad omens. So, while they may indeed be idolized by some folks, they are brutally hunted down by others.<br /><br />This however was the fate of one such tiger, called Mohan, who was captured as a baby in the 50’s by a Maharaja and his hunting crew. Mohan was then destined to be caged and would from there on father a considerable portion of the world’s captive endangered white tiger population. Since the dramatic features and characteristics of the white tiger are the result of a recessive yet rare gene, all white tigers kept in zoos are now the descendents of Mohan or some of the other captive orange tigers whose recessive genes took over through special breeding programs. White tigers now represent a very disproportionate part of the captive tiger population, when compared to that of the natural world. The very rarity of these majestic creatures and the pressure put on the zoos from collectors to produce more and more white tigers means that the breeding pools of today go back to just a handful of closely interbred individuals.<br /><br />The white tiger controversy in the zoos is a lot do with ethics, but is even largely related to economics. Owners of these endangered white tigers say that these animals make very popular exhibits and help by increasing the zoos revenues as well as attendance. Most genetic defects tend to be recessive and are generally masked by the normal genes, but in the case of the white tiger, with the persistent inbreeding taking place, genetic problems are accumulating and are amplified resulting in high mortality rates and severe disabilities. Approximately 80% of the white tiger cubs die from serious birth defects that are closely associated with the inbreeding that is necessary to create that white coat.<br /><br />Of the few that survive, most have apparent birth defects, like retinal degeneration, strabismus (cross eyes), scoliosis of the spine, cleft palates, clubbed feet, kidney abnormalities and immune deficiency. This means that only a small percentage of these tigers are suitable as exhibits are tend to be poor performers, and so after all the efforts and expenses spent on breeding them, they are finally not even used for the purpose they were intended to be used for. Additionally, the physical problems that are related to these tigers also include mental impairments like unpredictable behavior and depression.<br /><br />For every perfectly handsome white tiger that is being exploited to earn customer/tourist cash, there are anywhere from 60 to a few hundreds of these ‘deformed’ white tigers that are not show to the public – some suffer from debilitating birth defects, some are stillborn, some suffer from blindness, cross-eyes, deafness, hip or leg deformities, and so on. Most don’t even live for long and generally die fast. So, what happens to all those deformed white tigers what survive?<br /><br />And keep in mind that selective breeding is also a very risky thing. There is no guarantee that you will get white tiger cubs every single time you breed. So that takes us back to the question – what happens to all the deformed babies? Killed, abandoned, tortured, abused – just like the puppies and kittens of those kitten and puppy mills. Some of these cubs are sold to the Chinese medicine trade.<br /><br />The plight of these deformed tigers may very well seem surreal. In light of all this, it is understandable how some people deem the deformed white tiger as just a figment of a wild imagination, or probably a tale right out of the Twilight Zone. But when you have respectable entities like the New York Times carrying stories about the plight of the endangered white tiger, there can be absolutely no doubt to all but the most insular, that the deformed white tiger is now a reality wrought by who else? – Humans!<!-- From http://www.buzzle.com/articles/endangered-white-tiger.html --> <!-- google_ad_section_end -->Pets and Animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151856227948288685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359114480345461292.post-45165418332680641632009-12-25T05:18:00.000-08:002009-12-25T05:22:46.371-08:00The Treatmentof Farm Animals<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/SzS8mqREcqI/AAAAAAAAACM/We09wN_p0Us/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 175px; height: 131px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/SzS8mqREcqI/AAAAAAAAACM/We09wN_p0Us/s320/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419163624000484002" border="0" /></a><br />At the beginning of this year, the Ward Egg Ranch in California killed approximately 30,000 of its hens that were no longer productive by throwing them into wood chippers.<br /><br />When Cypress Foods began experiencing financial difficulties at the beginning of last year, the company did not feed more than one million chickens on its farms in Florida and Georgia for more than two weeks. About 20,000 of the birds died, and more than 180,000 of them ended up being euthanized.<br /><br />Both of these cases are extreme because the cruelty involved was so severe and so many animals were affected. However, mistreatment of animals on farms tragically is not at all unusual. In fact, it is an everyday occurrence.<br /><br />So-called "broiler chickens" are selectively bred and given growth hormones so the birds will have especially large thighs and breasts. These practices do create plumper chickens and thus maximize profits, but also make birds so heavy that their bones cannot support them.<br /><br />Turkeys also are selectively bred and given growth hormones, and as a result often die before becoming 1 year old if they’re not slaughtered beforehand.<br /><br />Severe overcrowding in pens often causes pigs, which are very intelligent and social creatures, to fight amongst themselves and in some cases kill each other.<br /><br />To help ensure that pregnant sows will not be harmed, they usually are confined in gestation crates, which prevent them from not only turning around, but lying down comfortably.<br /><br />Many cows never get out of the barns in which they’re kept.<br /><br />Since few farms are adequately prepared for emergencies, many animals die during heat waves, natural disasters, power outages and so on.<br /><br />In order to address these issues — and others — Humane Farm Animal Care is soon going to begin a "Certified Humane Raised and Handled" labeling program that will identify "meat, poultry, egg or dairy products from animals raised at facilities meeting precise, objective and humane standards for farm animal treatment."<br /><br />In order to obtain permission to place the "Certified Humane" label on products, producers and processors will have to:<br /><br />*provide proper nutrition and access to fresh water at all times<br />*not use feed containing hormones or antibiotics intended to promote growth<br />*take appropriate disease prevention measures<br />offer sufficient space and shelter<br />*provide the company of other members of animals’ species<br />*comply with the American Meat Institute Standards for slaughter<br /><br />The label will significantly help to improve the lives of farm animals, especially if consumer demand for products bearing it is strong. However, more must be done.<br /><br />Many existing farm regulations were enacted before the creation of large, so-called "factory" farms, and thus do not address practices unique to such establishments. The use of gestation crates, for example, is banned within the United States only by the government of Florida.<br /><br />If farm animals are to receive humane treatment in the future, consumers, legislators and law enforcement officials all must act.Pets and Animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151856227948288685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359114480345461292.post-70217118922861988742009-12-25T05:15:00.000-08:002009-12-25T05:17:57.937-08:00How To Feed A Guard Dog<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/SzS7edLq98I/AAAAAAAAACE/5j_6aInaoNo/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 123px; height: 163px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/SzS7edLq98I/AAAAAAAAACE/5j_6aInaoNo/s320/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419162383537600450" border="0" /></a><br />Guard dogs have extremely important jobs and they can end up serving on patrol duty, in riot control, shore watch, sentry duty and warehouse duty to name but a few. They need to be trained to a high standard and they need to have a lot of stamina too. This means that a good diet is needed to keep their energy levels up.<br /><br />What You Should Feed a Guard Dog<br /><br />All guide dogs need a high level of energy to do their jobs properly. They tend to be on duty for quite a long time and that means that there is no room for a lack of energy. Anything could happen and the dog would need to be able to jump in at any time when needed. Also, they are always under some form of stress, especially in riot situations.<br /><br />You would think that a guard dog would be better suited to high caloric foods which have 1500 to 1600 calories per pound, but unfortunately not even these foods are good enough. Usually guard dogs are only fed once a day and that means that they need to eat a small amount in that sitting and it has to have an extremely high caloric intake to be sufficient enough to carry them through the day. This means that the food has to have the right nutrients as well as high energy levels too.<br /><br />One thing which many people do not like about patrol guard dogs is the fact that they tend to leave their stools everywhere and due to the food that they eat, it can be quite smelly as well as look a mess! Workers do not like to have their dinner or morning coffee having to smell the remains of dog stools! There is a way in which this problem can be controlled however and that is to stick to a food which is high in energy but low in dry food. It is the indigestible dry matter which causes the problem and if you reduce that then you should be OK. The stools will become less frequent and they will also not smell as badly as they did before.<br /><br />Overall guard dogs need high energy food which does not have much dry matter. The food should exceed 1600 calories per pound and they should be fed one meal per day. This way they will keep their maximum performance and their energy levels will be up all day.<br /><br />One last tip is to feed a guard dog out of raised dog bowls. This will reduce the amount of air ingested during feeding, which makes digestion more efficient and creates less gas.Pets and Animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151856227948288685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359114480345461292.post-64458898924800852332009-12-23T22:45:00.000-08:002009-12-23T22:51:35.670-08:00Take Care of Your Horse’s Smile<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/SzMPZjPSKpI/AAAAAAAAABc/Dt_uEYHqsF4/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 171px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/SzMPZjPSKpI/AAAAAAAAABc/Dt_uEYHqsF4/s320/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418691708287330962" border="0" /></a><br />Here are some facts about the cutting edge of equine dentistry. You may think horse dentistry is a new fad, but there is nothing new under the sun. When our livelihoods depended on equines, horse dentistry was a lively profession for practitioners in every county. Well-known in Europe in the fourteenth century, the observation of horse's teeth goes back at least two thousand years. For the past couple of centuries, Europeans have had a particularly strong interest in horse's teeth. The tools which were being made by the end of the nineteenth century would still not be out of place in a modern horse dentist's set of tools – although diamond technology has brought advances in cutting, burring and grinding tools, which uncannily grind tooth enamel while leaving softer tissues such as the inside of cheeks unscathed on contact. There are currently about 25 horse dentistry tool manufacturers in the U.S.<br /><br />So, what does an equine dentist do, and which horses could benefit from their practices? An equine dentist basically equilibrates a horse's teeth in a number of ways. Horses in the natural state do not usually require dentistry, the same as they do not require a furrier. Free-roaming horses eat a lot of hard plants with a high woody content, as well as grasses with silicates. These are abrasive substances, which wear down the incisors as the horse tears at the grass stalks. Hay-fed horses do not need to use their incisors in the same way, with the result that these do not get worn down and eventually get so long that the horse cannot close its mouth sufficiently to use the molars to grind its food.<br /><br />All horses could benefit from the services of an equine dentist, although only a small proportion receives them. Even if your vet checks your horse’s teeth every half year, the chances are very high that there are points on the outside of the upper premolars and molars which are causing either constant discomfort or digging ulcerations in the cheeks. A thorough oral examination requires the use of a full-mouth speculum and a mild sedative or relaxant.<br /><br />The most discerning owners tend to call in a specialized dentist as standard procedure, because it can improve a horse's performance dramatically and prolong active life for up to a decade. Dental work always improves the horse's digestion, and better food uptake means better performance. Over and above that, a surprising proportion of horses suffer from tooth maladies which affect the way they take the bit. A tendency to resist turning in a particular direction is, for example, a strong indication that the horse has some kind of problem on that side of its mouth. If turning is uncomfortable, the horse is going to act up. It may be simply a question of getting the bit to sit more comfortably to cause an immediate change in the behavior of the horse.<br /><br />Many horses have persistent problems which cause uneven eating, distortions of facial muscle development and a build-up of pressure, which in turn can lead to constant headaches. When the horse first experiences relief from this, typically during the first session of dental treatment, under mild sedation, the effects can be dramatic. Have you ever seen a horse smile?<br /><br />Friction can arise between dental practitioners and standard vets, who have very different approaches to dental problems. Typically, a vet is called in to file down teeth when they become long, but tends to do so in a very uniform manner, which does not take into account the natural variations in the horse's own way of grinding, or the angles of the teeth necessary for comfortable eating. Incorrect filing can radically change the angle of impact and effectively prevent the horse from eating.<br /><br />There is unfortunately no accredited certification program for equine dentistry through veterinary organizations. Ironically, only veterinary practitioners are legally empowered to practice equine dentistry, although many are not capable of the most basic form of it. Vets sometimes act in conjunction with a highly specialized and trained lay-dentist. The equine dentists themselves are a rare breed. Because of the problems they are up against in terms of training programs and chances to practice freely, they tend to be fierce animal lovers with a high commitment to their chosen profession and an almost evangelical passion to spread the word. There is a worldwide network of practitioners, who are in constant consultation for problem-solving and sharing new techniques and findings. A visit from and equine dentist can be as rewarding an experience for the owner as it is for the horse.Pets and Animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151856227948288685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359114480345461292.post-69860951587205294602009-12-23T01:47:00.000-08:002009-12-23T01:51:50.709-08:00Taking Care Of A Black Labrador Puppy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/SzHoKMpYZ5I/AAAAAAAAABU/vEt3AIw5Kx0/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 114px; height: 152px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/SzHoKMpYZ5I/AAAAAAAAABU/vEt3AIw5Kx0/s320/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418367088594544530" border="0" /></a><br />It is a joyful event when a family brings home a new puppy. Deciding what kind of dog to bring home can be extremely difficult. The Labrador retriever has been known to be a very good choice as a family dog. When considering what kind of puppy to get, a black Labrador puppy would work well with a family. These dogs also have few health problems and provide a lifetime of companionship. A black Labrador puppy is a smart choice.<br /><br /><b>Traits Of A Black Labrador Puppy</b><br /><br />The Labrador retriever is known as one of the more mellow breeds of dogs. For the owner that does not want to put up with too many problems, this is the kind of dog they will love. Labradors also have a great track with children. The owner can feel safe leaving the dog alone with children. As far as bringing home a dog that will work well in a family atmosphere a Labrador retriever would be a perfect match.<br /><br />As with all puppies, there are good things and some less desirable things. In the case of a dog like the black Labrador puppy, it will eat whatever is put in front of it. This is true for all variations and ages of this breed. Therefore, the owner must monitor what the dog is eating and make sure it does not overeat. Overeating can result in various health problems.<br /><br />These dogs are also known for their high energy. An owner must be willing to spend time outside with it and be willing to play catch with a ball or Frisbee for long periods of time. The exercise that this dog gets outside is what keeps it in shape and helps it to remain healthy. By playing the aforementioned games of catch or taking it for a walk the Labrador puppy will be healthy and feel loved. A black Labrador puppy will have an added level of energy and the owner must be ready for that.<br /><br />A black Labrador puppy is an ideal dog for people with a family. It is also a coveted dog for people who spend lots of time outdoors and for hunters. A potential owner must weigh these traits and determine if this is the right dog for them because in the long run that will ultimately decide the happiness of both the owner and the dog.Pets and Animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151856227948288685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359114480345461292.post-52738708226609281042009-12-23T01:43:00.000-08:002009-12-23T01:46:59.924-08:00German Shepherd Breeders<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/SzHnBXbdBlI/AAAAAAAAABM/MIA-6XTOlvo/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 125px; height: 144px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/SzHnBXbdBlI/AAAAAAAAABM/MIA-6XTOlvo/s320/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418365837358466642" border="0" /></a><br />The German Shepherd dog breed was registered in the herding group by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1911. Though German Shepherds are descended from sheep herding dogs, they perform many other functions today. German Shepherds are one of the most utilitarian dog breeds in the world.<br /><br />The first German Shepherd was named Hektor. A dog fancier and German cavalry captain named Max von Stephanitz saw Hektor at a dog show and found him to be an excellent example of a German sheepdog. Stephanitz, who would be the first of many German Shepherd breeders, renamed Hektor as Horand von Grafath and founded the German Shepherd Dog Club in 1899 with the intention of maintaining the inherent traits of the first German Shepherd.<br /><br />German Shepherds have been bred to retain both their intelligence and utility. Stephanitz also bred the Shepherd to retain its wolf-like appearance. The breed has many strengths including fierce loyalty, trainability, and ability to multi-task. German Shepherd breeders may specialize in training this breed in any of the above areas. It is very important that German Shepherds begin life in an environment in which they receive stimulation, attention, discipline and training. Because of their very nature, great care goes into raising German Shepherds to be smart and socialized working dogs. Reputable German Shepherd breeders raise dogs in their own kennels and encourage buyers to visit and get to know both the purebred puppy they are buying and its mother. Good breeders specialize in only one or two breeds and are affiliated with the American Kennel Club and dog rescue centers. German Shepherd breeders are involved in training and competition programs with their Shepherds.<br /><br />German Shepherd breeders will provide not only registration papers and certification of ancestry (preferably American Kennel Club certified) but also medical records showing evidence of health and immunization. These documents are necessary to determine whether a buyer is getting a purebred, healthy German Shepherd. There are many illicit breeders in the market to make money with little regard for the dogs they are breeding. These bad breeders often are puppy brokers as well, meaning they sell dogs that they may have never even seen. Worse are breeders who run puppy mills, which churn out litters but in poor conditions with little socialization.<br /><br />Sure-fire signs of bad German Shepherd breeders include the fact that they only sell puppies over the Internet, they have no physical kennel of their own or only broker puppies, they ask for a non-refundable down payment before the litter is born, they do not plan to keep one of the litter, They claim to have a kennel but will not allow a buyer to visit and they have many dogs for sale at one time. Bad breeders also cannot provide adequate registration or certification paperwork, cannot provide medical record information or refer you to only their" veterinarian, and they don't ask the buyer questions about their household. They do not care where their puppies are going. Good German Shepherd breeders have the opposite qualities of the above. Additionally, they are affiliated with other agencies and rescue centers that help promote and care for the breed. Most importantly, good breeders love the breed they raise!Pets and Animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151856227948288685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359114480345461292.post-75535393739656585362009-12-22T05:39:00.000-08:002009-12-22T05:42:41.826-08:00Feeding Birds in the Winter<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/SzDMu5ZTSzI/AAAAAAAAAA0/CGx5ui_Oajs/s1600-h/little+birds+web.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 307px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/SzDMu5ZTSzI/AAAAAAAAAA0/CGx5ui_Oajs/s320/little+birds+web.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418055457779698482" border="0" /></a><br />The impact of removing trees and hedgerows and building in the countryside has had a major impact on birds’ natural food sources and it particularly noticeable during the winter months.<br /><br />Although rowan, hawthorn and yews may look as though they are abundant with berries there isn’t enough to go round. More and more birds rely on humans to supply extra food to them during the cold weather and are venturing into more urban errors to find this food.<br /><br />There are a number of different types of food you can feed birds either putting on tables or in feeders or you can scatter some on the ground or in special trays for ground feeders.<br /><br />Seed mixes are nutrient rich and can be specially formulated for one species or you can buy more general mixes that will attract all types of bird. Niger seed is becoming more popular in the UK because it attracts goldfinches and people appreciate their colorful displays as they flock to the feeders.<br /><br />Make sure you buy your seed mix from a reputable supplier and use seed mixes for wild birds rather than caged or aviary birds.<br /><br />Animal fat such as suet is an excellent treat for birds in the winter as gives them an instant energy boost as well as allowing birds to build up a fat reserve to see them through the freezing nights.<br /><br />You can make your own fat feeders by filling old plastic containers such as yoghurt pots or drinks bottles with a mixture of suet, seeds and dried fruit or you can buy special fat balls or suet blocks from bird food suppliers.<br /><br />Do not use hooks or nets when hanging your fat feeders as they can be harmful to birds if they get caught up in them.<br /><br />Don’t throw away your kitchen scraps but put them out for birds. They will eat unsalted bacon, mild cheese, soaked dried fruit, cooked rice and nuts. In winter it is fine to put out whole nuts as there are no fledglings about who could choke on them.<br /><br />It is also important that you put out fresh supplies of water in the winter as birds’ usual sources may be frozen over . You may see birds splashing about in the water but don’t worry about them getting cold. As well as water for drinking they need it for cleaning themselves.<br /><br />Check that your bird bath’s water hasn’t frozen in the night and you can add a bird friendly disinfectant to it to prevent the spread of disease.<br /><br />Feeding birds can encourage rats so whichever food you choose to put out for birds make sure that you keep feeding areas clean. Sweep up old food and use a scraper to remove dried food and droppings from your bird table.<br /><br />By feeding birds during the winter you will not only be doing your bit for conservation but you will have the pleasure of seeing many birds visit your garden at a time of year when gardens can be quite dull.Pets and Animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151856227948288685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359114480345461292.post-7151202572353446122009-12-22T05:25:00.000-08:002009-12-22T05:28:17.162-08:00Dog eye discharge<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/SzDJUY4IOkI/AAAAAAAAAAk/nhJypf6mzfA/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 124px; height: 125px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-qIunqvFIZg/SzDJUY4IOkI/AAAAAAAAAAk/nhJypf6mzfA/s320/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418051703839144514" border="0" /></a><br />Ocular discharge in dogs may be associated with sleepers in the eye which is usually the result of the self cleaning action of the eyes to get rid of the accumulated foreign matter. However, if the dog eye discharge continues throughout the day then there may be something that you need to worry about. The abnormal eye discharge is usually a sign of eye infection or other dog health problems, especially when it is accompanied by symptoms such as yellowish-green eye mucoid like or bloody eye discharge and irritation or puffiness around the eyes. Here is a look at some of the possible causes of eye discharge in dogs.<br /><br /><u><b>Dog Eye Discharge Causes</b></u><br /><br />There are a number of canine eye diseases that may trigger off dog eye discharge. White, yellow or brown colored ocular discharge is usually an indication of some dog health problem or eye infection. The most common causes of dog eye discharge include: <ul><li>Cherry eye or the prolapse of the tear gland of the third eyelid which is caused by the weakness of the connective tissue attaching the glands to the eyelids</li><li>Allergies</li><li>Eyelid defects</li><li>Conjunctivitis or dog pink eye results in inflammation of the mucous membrane and tissues of the eyes caused by bacterial or viral infections, allergies or trauma to the eyes</li><li>Dry eyes (Keratoconjunctivitis sicca) results in insufficient tear production to keep the eyes lubricated leading to the accumulation of dirt and bacteria in the eyes which can foster infections</li><li>Glaucoma in dogs is caused by the increased pressure on the eyes that is usually the result an imbalance in the drainage and production of aqueous humor. This condition may lead to blindness in dogs</li><li>Keratitis (inflammation of the cornea)</li><li>Obstruction of tear drainage ducts</li><li> Excessive tear production</li><li> Corneal ulcer in dogs</li><li>Entropion (Inversion of the eyelids)</li><li> Blepharitis (inflammation of eyelids)</li><li>Lens luxation (displacement)</li><li> Trauma and injury to the eye</li><li>Tumors of the eyes</li><li>Infection of different parts of the eye (e.g. the eye surface, the cornea, the eyelids, the iris)</li><li>Infection of the roots of the back upper teeth</li></ul> The color should be an indication of the cause of the dog eye discharge. Yellow colored discharge is usually associated with conditions such as dry eyes while brown stained discharge may indicate clogged or obstructed tear drainage ducts. More on dog eye problems.<br /><br /><u><b>Dog Eye Discharge Treatment</b></u><br /><br />The treatment for dog eye discharge consists of a complete examination of the eyelids, cornea, conjunctiva, the front and back chambers of the eye and cytology. Based on the diagnostic tests the doctor may recommend eye drops or other cures for the eyes. To treat the dog eye discharge at home, you can use these simple dog eye discharge home remedies. More on dog eye infection home remedies.Pets and Animalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151856227948288685noreply@blogger.com1