Health Benefits of Pet Ownership

Studies show that owning a pet can promote heart health, lower anxiety and depression, increase your activity, and even exercise your brain. What's not to love?

If you're considering adopting a puppy, kitten, or other pet – or if you already own one – then you know about the companionship and fun pets add to your life. But in addition, owning a pet can boost your health.

Pets: the physical benefits

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pets are good for cardiovascular health: Owning a pet can decrease your blood pressure and lower your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Studies have also found that pet owners are more likely than people without pets to survive after hospitalization for a heart attack, and that owning a pet lowers anxiety and decreases feelings of loneliness and depression.

Pets also help keep their owners fit, since they increase opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities. In a study conducted by the University of Missouri in Columbia, researchers encouraged dog owners to walk their dog for 10 minutes three times a week, and gradually increase to 20 minutes five times a week over the course of a year. The dog walkers lost an average of 14 pounds.

The pet-human bond

Pets can increase the opportunity for socialization — they're a natural topic of conversation and offer a chance to connect with other pet lovers. "Having a pet increases your mental acuity," says Kelly Connolly, M.S., a companion-animals specialist with the Humane Society of the United States. "Remembering to walk and feed your pet exercises your brain, and it increases your sense of responsibility, which is important to people."

The emotional bond between an owner and a dog, cat, or other pet can be as intense as those between humans, and it may offer many of the same psychological benefits. Caring for an animal offers a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Many pet owners believe their pets express a range of emotions. Dr. Stephanie LaFarge, senior director of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Counseling Services, says it is "normal and natural to project human emotions onto animals, even if you know better."

Choosing the best pet for you

"Before you get a pet, decide honestly what you want in one," says LaFarge. Some people want to have a more active lifestyle, some desire companionship, and others are looking for protection. In any case, you as the owner should work to foster a genuine relationship with your pet. Take into account what you will be able to handle, in terms of time, attention, and activity. "Regardless of your age and abilities, you will reap the benefits of a pet if you pick the right one for your lifestyle," says Connolly.

Check this out

Have some fun every day by answering a trivia question -- right or wrong, by just doing it 10 pieces of dog kibble gets donated to animal shelters. The website belongs to an 11 year girl that has a passion for helping shelter dogs. Very sweet - she was just featured on the Ellen show. So mark this website as a favorite and go in everyday and take a whirl at the question!!! I got mine wrong but I still donated 10 kibbles!!

Also - feel free to pass this on to other dog lovers you know.

http://www.freekibble.com/

A Dog's Purpose

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife
Lisa,and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.
I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on.

Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had bee n listening quietly,piped up, 'I know why.'

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.

He said, 'People are born so that they can learn how to live a good Life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?'

The Six-year-old continued, 'Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.'

Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
- When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
- Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy-ride.
- Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.
- Take naps.
- Stretch before rising.
- Run, romp, and play daily.
- Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
- Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
- On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
- On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
- When you're happy, dance around.
- Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
- Be loyal.
- Never pretend to be something you're not.
- If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
- When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
- ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

A dog story

An older, tired-looking dog wandered into my yard. I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home and was well taken care of.

He calmly came over to me, I gave him a few pats on his head. He then followed me into my house, slowly walked down the hall, curled up in the corner and fell asleep.

A little more than an hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out.

The next day he was back, greeted me in my yard, walked inside and resumed his spot in the hall and again slept for about an hour. This continued off and on for several weeks.

Curious, I pinned a note to his collar: 'I would like to find out who the owner of this wonderful sweet dog is and ask if you are aware that almost every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap.'

The next day he arrived for his nap, with a different note pinned to his collar: 'He lives in a home with six children, two under the age of 3. He's trying to catch up on his sleep. Can I come with him tomorrow?'

Dog products

Like the way we take a Spa, our pet dogs do need them sometimes. You need to use Spa products, Shampoos and conditioners, etc for your pet dogs. This will keep them hale and healthy. They will also look fresh like the way we do. You can purchase dog products from happytailsspa.com website. Dogs do get itchy skin. If you notice they would keep licking at they itchy area or keep scratching them with their paws. Do check out the dog itchy skin products available in the website. Now, talking of dog shampoo, you can get lot of shampoo brands. This website lists many of them. You can pick shampoos based on your pet's needs like itchiness, allergy based skin, etc. The other products you can find in the website cater to reducing dog odor, tear strain control, collections and gifts, etc.

You need to register with the website if you are a new customer. Once you are registered you can start shopping online by adding items to your shopping cart. It is all about the canine world products. They also have product for pet cats. So what are you waiting for? Just visit the website and order the right products for your pet.

St. Bernard

One of my favorite breed of dogs is St.Bernard breed. The St. Bernard Dog is a very large breed of dog originally bred for rescue and as a working dog. Their life span ranges from 8 to 11 years. St. Bernards are gentle, friendly, and generally fond of children. You need to properly train them considering their huge size.

An independent house with a lawn is so preferable to have this huge pet. They secure your home from any mishap. I just love this breed of dogs.

Dogs and Babies

Please save this for the next time you hear someone say they have to get rid of their pet when they have a baby.


Peek-a-boo!


To sleep, perhaps to dream.....


Boy! That sun feels good!


Now, you're pushing things a bit!


Of *course* I love you!


What the heck??


When you can crawl, we'll really have some fun!


This dog is thinking............. 'Oh Oh why so warm all of a sudden?' :)


Another day, another dollar!


Oh! c'mon....that tickles!

Its a dog and not a towel

The Shar Pei - wrinkled dog

Why God made pets?

They help out around the house...


They protect our children ...


They look out for the smaller ones ...


They show us how to relax .


They "converse" with each other.


They help you when you're down.


They are great at decorating for the Holiday.


They have "great" expectations.


They are Patriotic.


They are happy to "test" the water ...


They love their "teddies".


AND - They know when we need a good LAUGH!

It is done by moving the corners of the mouth upward.

LET ME SHOW YOU HOW..............

If dog was a teacher...

If a dog was the teacher you would learn stuff like:

1. When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
2. Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
3. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
4. When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.
5. Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
6. Take naps.
7. Stretch before rising.
8. Run, romp, and play daily.
9. Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
10. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
11. On warm days, stop to lie on your back in the grass.
12. On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
13. When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
14. No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout..! run right back and make friends.
15. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
16. Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.
17. Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not.
18. If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
19. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

GREAT INSIGHTS INTO DOGS

The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead
of his tongue.
-Anonymous

Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you
are wonderful.
-Ann Landers

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.
-Will Rogers

There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.
-Ben Williams

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.
-Josh Billings

The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.
-Andy Rooney

We give dogs the time we can spare, space we can spare and love we
can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It's the best deal
man has ever made.
-M. Acklam

I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult.
-Rita Rudner

A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three
times before lying down.
-Robert Benchley

Anybody who doesn't know what soap tastes like never washed a dog.
-Franklin P. Jones

If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I
have known will go to heaven, and very, very few persons.
-James Thurber

If your dog is fat, you aren't getting enough exercise.
-Unknown

My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to $3.00 a
can. That's almost $21.00 in dog money.
-Joe Weinstein

Ever consider what our dogs must think of us? I mean, here we come
back from a grocery store with the most amazing haul -- chicken, pork,
half a cow. They must think we're the greatest hunters on earth!
-Anne Tyler

Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax
and get used to the idea.
-Robert A. Heinlein

If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not
bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man.
-Mark Twain

You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a
look that says, 'Wow, you're right! I never would've thought of that!'
- Dave Barry

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.
-Roger Caras

If you think dogs can't count, try putting three dog biscuits in your
pocket and then give him only two of them.
-Phil Pastoret

My goal in life is to be as good of a person as my dog already thinks I am.

Food turning to poison for dogs

Some seemingly innocuous foods can be lethal for dogs.

1. Alcohol
2. Onions
3. Grapes
4. Chocolate
5. Coffee
6. Garlic
7. Yeast
8. Macadamia Nuts

To read more elaborately, visit this site. It gives more information on each of the food items above. Let us ensure that we feed the right food for our pet dogs.

Instructions for properly hugging a baby

ATTENTION ALL DOGS!!! THE FOLLOWING ARE IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR EVERY DOG TO KNOW Instructions for properly hugging a baby.

1. First, spy a baby.

2. Second, be sure that the object you spied was indeed a baby by employing classic sniffing techniques. If you smell baby powder and the wonderful aroma of wet diapers this is indeed
a baby.
3. Next you will need to flatten the baby before actually beginning the hugging process.
Note: The added slobber should help in future steps by making the 'paw slide' easier

4. The 'paw slide' Simply slide paws around baby and prepare for possible close-up.
5. Finally, if a camera is present, you will need to execute the difficult and patented 'hug, smile, and lean' so as to achieve the best photo quality.
Dogs, if this is properly done, it will secure you a warm, dry, climate-controlled environment for the rest of your life.

Shar-pei, the wrinkled dog

Most of us must have seen in advertisements, this dog breed that has wrinkles all over the body and absolutely cuddly. This breed is called Shar-pei giving it a meaning "sand skin" and the origin of this dog is from China. As these dogs mature, the wrinkles disappear as they "grow into their skin". This is the traditional Shar-pei. The other variety of Shar-pei is the one that has wrinkles even when they are grown up.

Oh this means that I love the latter one :)

For all the dog lovers in the world

I got this from one of my friends who is also a die hard dog lover.

THE MEANING OF LIFE

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's Owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, Were all very attached to Belker and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family. We couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home. As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for the four-year old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.

Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why." Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life ---like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?" The four-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

Author Unknown

miniature dogs

Miniature dogs are small size dogs a.k.a pocket dogs and these are pet dogs as well. It is very difficult to maintain these dogs due to their very small size. Vets find it difficult to treat miniature dogs than the bigger dogs. Also, these miniatures naturally have low blood sugar level. Few examples of miniature dogs are Lhasa Apso, Maltese, chihua hua, pug, etc.

Dog leash

Based on the size of the dog, we can use different dog leashes that are available in the shops. For miniature or small dogs, a normal rope leash will do. For tall dogs that need more control, auto dog leash or retractable dog leash will be of great help. Retractable dog leash is like a long rope in a closed box and the leash can be released or held by the buttons in the closed box. Instead of running behind the dog, you can control the dog's speed during your walks with your pet. Find below a sample picture of retractable dog leash.

Like twins, for two doggies you also have twin or coupler leash whose one end is connected to the dog and the other end is connected to a single rope and the other end of this single rope can be with you. You also have another type of leash that holds the dog from its back. I use that for my Labrador retriever. It gives full control over my lab. It may not be suitable for small dogs.

Labrador retrievers

Labrador retrievers in short called as Lab are beautiful dogs with pleasing personality traits. They are loving docile dogs that comes in three colors: fawn, black and chocolate labs. Mine is a chocolate Labrador and I am excited to write this particular post :). Labs love long walks and we need to give him enough exercise to stay healthier. If not taken proper care, they will bloat heavily because they are food lovers. Their life expectancy is about 10 to 12 years.

Labradors shed a lot of hair daily. So proper and regular grooming with the brush is highly important. One of the best companions to have around and they can be had in the apartments too like mine. The only thing then required is 3-4 times walk daily. If you are in a separate home then the lawn would be more than sufficient for these dogs. I simply adore them as they are too loyal, friendly and faithful and yes obedient to their masters. Otherwise for others they tend to disobey a lot.

I have posted my lab's 'Mac' picture here :)

Dachshund Dogs

There are several hundreds of dog breeds in this world. To know more on dog breeds you can visit dogchannel.com. Dachshund puppies are cute little pets and when they grow as Dachshund dogs they still look smaller as these are miniature dogs that are short legged. They originate from Germany and the Dachshund dogs life expectancy ranges from 12 to 14 years. You can find three varieties of Dachshund dogs: one is smooth-coated, the second one is longhaired and the last one is wirehaired. The height of these dogs range from 5 to 9 inches depending on whether the dog is miniature type or standard type. Dachshund dogs enjoy long walks and it provides to be a great exercise for these breeds.

This website also gives information on Dachshund puppies for sale. Also you can find information on Dachshund breeders, breed rescue for the Dachshund puppy, selecting a breed, etc. Dachshund puppies also need to be trained to ensure that they are disciplined and obedient. As the puppy gets older you can teach him simple instructions like sit, stay, down, etc. Whether your dog is a pet or a show dog, it needs to be well trained so that it exhibits a well mannered behavior. As you train him, you need to feed him with biscuits after every instruction so that he quickly follows what you say. Do not forget to check out the information on Dachshund training and Dachshund puppy care. The website also has a gallery of Dachshund puppy pictures which you can cherish watching.

Dachshund dogs too need a good grooming based on the type of Dachshund dog you have. Longhaired Dachshunds need to be groomed about three times a week, but the shorthair and the wirecoat can get by with weekly brushing. This will make the dog look shining and beautiful.

Train your dog to sit

"Sit" can sometimes be taught using a physical method. hold some biscuits in the hand and show it to him. The pup will be interested in the hand and will watch it. Move the hand back over the pups' head, while it watching the hand. This act probably causes him to sit. When he does so, say sit. if the put is not responding to it, follow physical methods. Attach the lead to the pup's collar and use it to keep him close. Push down gently in the dog's hind quarters and pull up slightly on the lead, saying 'sit/ In both the methods the final step is to practice the puppy when he does it.

Pug dogs

Pet lovers generally love all kinds of dogs. There is a nice site for Pugs. To know more about pugs you can visit this website. Pug dogs are wonderful companions and the Pug dogs life expectancy ranges from 12 to 14 years. To maintain Pug dogs, you need to brush them daily so that they shed less hair and also this will enable them to look shining and healthy. In this website you will also find useful information on Pug puppies for sale. The website also helps you in providing information on Pug training. You can also find a gallery of Pug puppy pictures in this website that details on Pug puppy care. Do not forget to check their pug adoption page in the website where you can search for pets based on gender, species, breed, etc.

The website gives you advice from experts regarding Pug Trainers, Pug Veterinarian, Pug Breeder and Pug Grooming. As a pet Pugs do not wish to obey and take orders from the master. So to have the pleasure of Pugs obeying you and being very disciplined, it is important that you hire pug trainers to train your pug dogs. Those information are present in the website. Just visit this website and get the best of information for your Pug Pet dogs.

Train your dog to stay

Use a different tone of voice for the stay command. Make the pup to sit at your side and put your right hand directly in front of his face with your palm facing the pup. Say 'stay' while quickly moving around to stand in front of the puppy. Keep a firm grip on the choke chain in case your pup would rather go than stay. If he gets up say 'No, sit, stay', while putting him back in position for five to ten seconds.

Stand in front of him for a few seconds and return to his side. Gradually increase the time you require the pup to 'stay' when he is 'staying' constantly without physical help from you, start to increase your distance from the pup. Continue to use hand signal along with the verbal command. Repeat and give your put ample time to learn thoroughly. Praise and reward every successful action. These basic commands will keep the pup more reliable and friendly.

Choke Chain

During training, your pup should wear a correctly positioned choke chain (Choker or choke chain). With this a short, quick tug with the lead will teach him that he is doing wrong. As the dog grows, you can buy different kinds of leash which I have explained in a separate category. You can buy them based on your needs.

Collar and Leash

Get your puppy accustomed to collar and leash. Start with a narrow, soft collar at first and allow it to wear constantly. Attach a light lead and allow it to drag for few days. Then by gently holding it walk along the put so that it can't feel the lead too much.

Cutting toe Nails

We take most of our pet dogs for walking on roads. This will not only keep the dogs fit and healthy but also ensures that their nails are properly maintained. I mean to say that when their nails rub on rough surfaces they automatically gets trimmed and does not grow long. In this case, you need not take extra care to cut their nails. However, in some cases we have dogs that always walks in the garden or smooth flooring surfaces, etc. These dogs need to have their nails cut on a regular basis.

One way is to take the dog to the vet on a monthly basis and have it cut or bring the vet home and have it done. The other way is to buy the nail cutter that are being sold especially for pets. You can use them to cut your dogs nails. Now what is the length up to which you can cut? Just ensure you leave few centimeters from the toes and then cut the nails. If you cut more then the dog will start bleeding on the nails and it will be very painful for him. So its always okay to leave the nail little longer rather than hurting the pet. In this case you can check the nail growth on a weekly basis and have it cut.

Teaching his name

First teach your puppy his name by calling him with that name frequently. He will soon understand that when you or anyone else says his name you mean him. The dog's name should be of double sounding in nature like "Tiger", "Rambo", etc. But I have named my lab as "Mac" and we love calling him that way and so does he.

Feeding dogs

Feed the dog daily. Do not skip their meals. For adult dogs, feed them with Pedigree. I feed my dog with rice, ghee and egg mix. He eats them happily. I feed him twice a day. In the morning when he wakes up, I feed him milk. Also in the evening, I feed him with little milk. This way he does not eat too much nor does he starve.

All of us need healthy pets. So we must ensure that our dog eats well and to the right amount. For puppies, its best to keep feeding milk for initial few months. Puppies are like babies. They cannot chew and swallow solid food. So feed them with milk until they grow up.

Training your pet

Every dog owner has a responsibility to train his pet to be a well behaved and disciplined member of the community.

Training your puppy to come, sit, lie down and stay down is most important both for the safety of your dog and for harmonious relations with your family, friends and outside the home. A disobedient uncontrollable dog is a nuisance and can be a menace for you and your family.

Generally professional training should be started around 4 to 5 months of your pet's age. But your puppy can be trained from the first month of age onwards.

Train the pet to heel

Start the dog in the 'sit' position on your left side. Say 'heel' and start walking, starting with your left foot. A gentle tug in the lead will get your puppy started with you. If your pup goes too fast and far, or lags behind, give him a quick tug to bring him to your side. Keep walking on the speed and directions by giving your pup corrective tugs, whenever he leaves the heel position.

Name your pet

Name your pet with you favorite name and always call him by his name. Right from the puppy times, if you start calling him by his name he will get used to it soon. Treat him with all love and care that he deserves.

Train the pet to Sit Down

Kneel besides the seated puppy, by holding its collar with one hand and place a treat by its noise. Slid his front paws forward while pressing gently in his shoulders until hi is in his down position. Say 'down' when he is in down position and keep him with your hand on his shoulder for few minutes. Repeat the command 'down' once again. Praise him and he will soon know that you want him to do.

Vaccination for dogs

Anti rabies vaccine needs to be given once a year for dogs. Apart from this, DHLP injection needs to be given once a year. DHLP injection stands for Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirosis. This is a four-in-one injection which protects your dog from various illnesses.

Besides these two injections, deworming needs to be done once in 2 months to ensure that the intestine is free of worms. I am mentioning the vaccination schedule of my dog in detail below. you can use the same for your pet too.

1. Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirosis (DHLP)

Primary : 6 weeks
Booster : 12 weeks
Re vaccination : Every year

2. Corona virus vaccine

Primary : 8 weeks
Booster : 14 weeks
Re vaccination : Every year

3. Anti Rabies Vaccine


Primary : 10 weeks
Booster : 16 weeks
Re vaccination : Every year

Important Note: Sick animals and those with severe ecto and endoparasite infestations should not be vaccinated. Do not fail to have re vaccinations carried out which are indispensable for the maintenance of immunity against rabies, distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and cornavirus.

Fluffy/hairy dogs

To take care of dogs with lot of hair on their body, Shampoo them every fortnight and groom them with dog brush daily. This way the dog hair will not form knots and the pet will look gorgeous. For dogs with less hair like Labradors you can still groom them with brush so that they shed away dead hairs from their body. This is what I do for my dog and he looks shining.

How to feed your dog?

-> Keep the food separately in a bowl meant for your pet
-> Adjust the height of the bowl by using the adjustable feeding stand
-> Always give fresh food. If your pet is not in a mood to take the food then remove and feed it afterwards
-> Avoid keeping the food in the bowl continuously, this may lead to spoilage and digestive problems
-> Provide fresh and clean water

Life span of your pets

Dogs' life span varies between 8 to 20 years, depending upon the size of your pet. In general, bigger and heavier the dogs/breeds shorter the life is, when compared to the smaller and medium sized dogs, when all of them are reared under standard management practices.

In my opinion, the life span of your dog is also determined by how healthier and happier he is with you. That is another main criteria for long life span of your pets.