A Beginners Guide to Lovebirds
May 14, 2008
Lovebirds are so named from the way they sit close to each other, not because they are in love with each other. Lovebirds can and do mate for life, but it doesn’t happen every time.
Lovebirds are social birds and should be kept in pairs.
They are very active and curious birds and can even be quite aggressive at times. They can chatter all day long with a sometimes very shrill sound.
Lovebirds are native to Africa and a few nearby islands. In their native habitat, they are found usually in small flocks of 10 to 20 pairs.
Lovebirds are of the class Aves, the genus Agapornis and members of the Psittaciformes, or family of parrots.
Agapornis comes from the Greek words: Agape meaning love, and ornis meaning bird.
Lovebirds typically live from 10 to 15 years depending a great deal on the care they are given, some lovebirds have been known to live to be 20 in captivity.
There are 9 species of lovebirds, of which 8 are available as pets. They are not related to the South American parrotlets.
Sexually Dimorphic
1. Abyssinian Lovebird 2. Redfaced Lovebird 3. Madagascar Lovebird (Grayheaded)
Does Your Dog Bite? How to Protect Your Dog and Yourself from Liability
May 14, 2008
MuttShack Foundation for Animal Foster and Rescue, claim that dogs bite more than 4.7 million people every year in the United States.
The blame could be the dog’s, the owner’s, or the victim’s. But the one who invariably pays, is the owner. The owner of the dog becomes responsible for paying for the medical bills, time lost from work as well as pain and suffering. The one who suffers most, is the dog that is abandoned in a shelter or disposed of.
Dog owners should assume more than their share of the responsibility for protecting people and other animals from their dogs, and also assume the responsibility to protect their dogs from people. Kids will run up to a dog screaming in delight and frighten the dog. A dog in his excitement to greet someone may jump up and scratch him or her. A passer-by may approach a dog aggressively or provoke him. Neighborhood kids may let the dogs out just to have some fun.
There is no way to guarantee that your dog will never bite someone. But you can significantly reduce the risk:
Your Kids Want a Pet, You Dont Want To Pet Anything
May 13, 2008
"Mom, can we get a puppy?" Who hasn’t heard that line before? The kids think it’s time for an addition to the family, but you know you don’t have time for a family pet.
We’ve got the perfect solution to make everyone happy!! Hermit Crabs!!
Now before you start to panic because you just heard the word "crab", just listen! They’re not that bad. Trust me, I’ve had a few and after a while they were definitely part of our family.
Let me tell you why you should be convincing your kids to get a hermit crab:
1. They don’t bark, chirp or meow 2. They won’t pee on your carpeting 3. You don’t have to train them 4. They won’t climb up your screens or run away 5. They’re very easy to care for 6. Your kids will love them more than a puppy!!
Hermit crabs do not need attention every day or even need to be feed everyday?.that’s the best reason already! Hermit crabs live in smaller cages and stay in side of a shell. They eat hermit crab pellets and drink water from a sponge.
No, No, No! Drop It, Drop It! Give It To Me Now!
May 12, 2008
Puppies can be so exasperating! They know what we want, and what we don’t want, yet they continue to push our buttons. Wait a minute! Maybe we can rewire our buttons and bring them out of reach of Puppy! Use the following tips to help prevent Puppy Theft and other hiccups in Puppy’s road to adulthood.
SUPERVISE, SUPERVISE, SUPERVISE.
The more that you can supervise rather than confine, the happier Puppy will be. Additionally, he will learn his lessons that much quicker. If you must wrap a leash around your waist to keep Puppy with you while you move about your home, do so. If all members of the family must take turns leaving the room or taking the puppy with them, do so. However, when you CANNOT keep him supervised, CONFINE him. He doesn’t care that you just left the room “for a minute.” That absence gave him a minute to fill–possibly with your favorite sandal.
SCAN THE ROOM, REMOVE THE BAIT.
Why Should I Adopt A Pet
May 11, 2008
Over the past couple of years, animal rescues have been gaining popularity and support from all sorts of pet lovers. Basically what rescues do is take in animals and adopt them out to loving homes. Local animal shelters can only provide minimal support for pets needing homes. As a result euthanasia is a unfortunate reality of overpopulated shelters. With the over population of shelters such as the SPCA, rescue organizations are many pets only and last chance at a new beginning.
All volunteer based rescues such as Boxer Rescue Ontario even go as far as fostering, transporting and placing boxers in selected homes. Organizations like this run solely on the support of their communities, operating on donations and fund-raising. Without extremely dedicated and loving volunteers, rescues such as Boxer Rescue Ontario would never exist.
Most good rescue organizations place their pets in homes that will suit both the pet and his new family. Factors such as temperament, medical history and age are all taken into consideration when placing pets in their new homes. So too should the new home match the pet.
Dogs and Children ? What Parents Need to Know to Prevent Dog Bites
May 10, 2008
Dogs and children are a perfect fit. They are what fond memories are made of and part of a joyful childhood. But sometimes tragedy does strike. What should you do to prevent an accidental attack?
The first caution for parents is to NEVER leave very young children (pre-school age - under six) left unattended with a dog. If you trust your dog then you likely do not believe that the dog will suddenly choose to attack. However, the dog is not much different than a small child itself. If a dog is unintentionally harmed or feels threatened it may bite in self-defense, just as small children may push or scratch another child when they feel threatened. Do not subject your dog or child to possible harm by leaving them alone to play. Your dog is not an adult. Always supervise dogs and children and you will be preventing a problem from occurring.
Discourage your children from hugging and kissing their dog as most bites to the face happen this way.
Westie Puppies For Sale ? 7 Important Questions To Ask Your West Highland Terrier Breeder
May 9, 2008
Let’s say you’ve made up your mind on the breed you want, which is a cute westie puppies for sale. The next step to take is finding a responsible breeder. You can do that from the parent club website or even at a Westie show. Local club Breeder Referral Officers may be able to help you find a breeder in your area. Find out if they are AKC registered or whatever association is relevant for your country.
Responsible breeders always breed to improve the health of the breed, not just to create a product for re-sale. They know their stock, study pedigrees and do extensive health screening. They will kindly answer your questions and help you with a lot of advice and useful information.
You should visit in person the facilities where the puppy or pups were raised, as this will play a role in the future health and personality of your Westie. You should also see at least one of the parents and some of the littermates.
A responsible breeder should also provide a contract with health guarantees and papers for registering your puppy. Breeders of West Highland Terriers can be found worldwide; from USA, Canada, UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. From states such as Carolina, Kentucky and Tennessee.
Scottish Terrier Rescue - For the Love of Scotties
May 9, 2008
Purebred dogs of all breeds can be found in shelters, and volunteers can be found in every state to seek them out. Scottish Terriers, West Highland White Terriers, and even breeds considered rare, all pass through shelters every year. Those who perform Scottish Terrier rescue are committed to matching homeless terriers with loving new owners.
Dog owners give up their pets for a variety of reasons, and many of them have nothing to do with the animal’s temperament or behavior. Perfectly loving, well-behaved Scottish Terriers are rescued every year because their owners have died, moved into retirement homes, or are suffering from ill health. Other dogs find their way into shelters because of allergies, divorce, or new babies.
Scottish Terrier rescue organizations do find strays, dogs with behavioral problems, and dogs who have not been housebroken. A dog that has lost its owner, for whatever reason, will probably grieve, so it is crucial that adopted terriers be matched with the very best new owner. Rescuers will want to determine that the home the terrier is destined for is loving, secure, and committed to keeping the dog permanently.
Westie Merchandise that Benefits your Dog
May 8, 2008
There are many places to find Westie merchandise, but before you make a purchase for yourself or your Westie, consider first a retailer or non-profit organization that uses sales of Westie merchandise to benefit the breed.
WestieMed, Inc. is a non-profit organization that specifically targets rescued Westies that are injured or ill. Along with donations, WestieMed uses sales of Westie merchandise to pay for medical care for these special-needs dogs while homes are found for them. Westie merchandise that can be purchased from their gift shop includes clothing, novelties, home and garden items, greeting cards, and Christmas ornaments. They also benefit from sales of Westie merchandise purchased through their affiliation with Westie Breed Store when the buyer uses the link at the WestieMed website. They can be found at http://www.westiemed.com/.
The West Highland White Terrier Club of America, Inc. also offers a small selection of Westie merchandise in their fundraising effort. Their merchandise includes limited edition collector plates with images of Westies, and a few articles of clothing. Their National Rescue Committee, which is responsible for rescuing older Westies and placing them in new homes, has a larger collection of clothing and small items of Westie merchandise for their fundraising efforts. They can be found at http://www.westieclubamerica.com/. There are also links at the site to affiliated Westie clubs that are using sales of Westie merchandise for fundraising.
West Highland White Terrier ? How To Capture the Best Pictures of Your Westies
May 7, 2008
For most West Highland White Terrier owners, the dog is a beloved member of the family. Like your children, you will want to capture pictures of your Westies from the time they are puppies until they are old-timers. Getting good pictures of Westies may require a bit of special preparation and know-how, but even the amateur photographer can get good ones at home.
Camera Angle
A common mistake amateurs make when taking pictures of their Westies is to shoot from a standing position, with the dog on the ground. Although you might get a good picture (teeth showing) or two this way, the best are shot from your Westie’s level - low down, on the floor. Alternatively, for a posed picture, you can raise your dog up on a table or chair. The aim is to capture your West Highland White Terrier from his perspective on life.
Sitting Still
Pictures do not have to be hit or miss, with the dog owner struggling to get perfect candid shots. Dogs can be trained, and posed pictures can be taken if you prepare yourself and your pet. It is best to start when West Highland White Terriers are puppies, getting them used to the equipment and the picture-taking process.
