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Informative and interesting articles and tidbits These are all word documents and will open up in microsoft word or compatible program when clicked on Plants that are poisonous to your dog Obsessive Behaviors The importance of ID Tags What's Around Your Dog's Neck
Adopting a Pet Adopting a companion animal is a journey that should be travelled VERY carefully. There are millions of unwanted and abandoned animals left behind in shelters because people weren't aware of what caring for an animal involves or because they don't assess the situation beforehand. Here are some important things to know before taking a journey that can be magical, wonderful and memorable if embarked upon with the right tools. Do Your Research Before adopting an animal of any kind, find out about the requirements of the animal you are interested in bringing into your family. What do they eat? What are their daily living habits? Their sleeping habits? Do they have any special needs for their diet? Are they suitable for people with allergies? Do they shed? There are many quizzes and sites with information on personality types and how to find the right companion animal based on what type of living situation and lifestyle you lead. Have Patience Patience is a virtue and is necessary for life with animals. Animals need lots of attention, care and companionship. While they can survive on the bare minimum of many things, neglecting a pet's needs for companionship, health, nutrition and overall well-being will diminish their quality of life and can diminish the duration of their life. If you are thinking about adopting an animal, make sure it's for the right reasons. Animals are companions NOT collectibles. Adopt a shelter animal Have a heart and adopt those animals that have been left behind by irresponsible people. Animals suffer from the shortcomings and consequences of people's neglect, carelessness and sometimes cruelty. There are so many animals waiting in shelters across the world to be rescued and find their forever home where they will be loved. To find your forever companion animal visit www.petfinder.org the largest database of shelters and shelter animals across the US. Stop Animal Overpopulation and Homeless Animals Spay or Neuter Your Companion Animal. The important and responsible choice to alter your companion animal is one of the best choices you can make towards helping stop the overpopulation of animals in shelters thereby decreasing the number of animals euthanized in shelters every year. For the top 10 reasons to Spay or Neuter your dog/cat, see the page on Doggie Health & Safety Tips.
Backyard Dogs One day, I was visiting my parents when I heard a dog barking incessantly. My mother said the poor dog barked day and night and that it was a regular thing. The people 2 houses down had a beautiful German Shepherd Dog who was left outdoors for most of the day. Not a year prior to this, they had a beautiful Chocolate Lab who was left in the yard as well for a few years and jumped up whenever someone walked by. Mysteriously she disappeared and a few months later this new dog was here. I decided it was my duty to inform and educate these people, I hoped that all they needed was the information and that they cared enough to do something about it. I sent them literature and information on dogs and what they needed to know and here's what everyone should know about keeping backyard dogs. Dogs are social pack animals. In the wild, wolves and animals belonging to the canine species live in groups and form ranks and bonds with one another for survival and companionship. Dogs need companionship in the domestic world too. They need to form a social order and interact with humans and other animals too. Leaving dogs out in the yard for long periods of time leaves dogs lonely, they become stressed and may circle or bark or jump, dig or chew. Dogs should not be left alone for long periods of time and should not be left unsupervised where anyone walking by can steal or harm your dog. They should have shade or shelter and water at all times if they are left outside for short periods. For more details click here: Backyard Dogs Teathering For instructions on how to build a proper shelter for your dog click here: Doghouse Instructions
Just a little note...
Dogs have amazing potential. My pugs are amazingly intelligent. It saddens me to see people who do not allow their dogs to reach their potential. People up and down my block who neglect their dogs, who fail to pay attention to their whereabouts and whose dogs run loose several times a week throughout the neighborhood. Whose dogs are loved so little, that their guardians neglect to give them importance in their lives by putting a collar with ID tags on them. People who collect "pets" rather than adopting homeless creatures to become family and to guard and care for them. This is why the importance of labeling an animal a "companion" not a "pet" and labeling their human a "guardian", not an "owner", is so important. Animals are not property, they are living, thinking feeling creatures, who, if brought into our homes, should be cared for as family, not as objects. Treat them as you would a family member by keeping them healthy, happy, loved and safe. Show them, and the world, that you love them. I know I do.