April 30th, 2010 by Peter
One of the latest pets studies has revealed that even they can be left or right handed – Cats, dogs, parrots and even fish have been included.
Many cats were played with for weeks on end to find out that the females were mainly are ‘right-handed’ whilst toms of the pack seemed to favour the left.
Hormones have a lot to answer for as up until the dogs are spayed or neutered, bitches are right handed and dogs are left. Poor things probably wonder which way to turn when there bits are taken away from them!
The best way to see what hand your goldfish is, is to place an unfamiliar object into the tank and see which way it swims round it!
April 29th, 2010 by Peter
It looks so cool when your speeding down the country lanes and your dog has it’s head hanging out of the window doesn’t it? But you are doing them more damage than you probably realise.
Its a huge mistake allowing your dog to stick their heads out as not only is the wind harmful to their eyes but also the dust and small rocks which fly up fro the road could lead to lasting damage too. You need to think about their ears aswell as these are a lot more sensitive than ours. High speed winds could end up with a traumatised dog ear!
So before you take your pet on a ride in the car, consider its safety as well as your own and your other passengers.
April 29th, 2010 by Peter
You get in the car and you buckle up. Your kids get in the back and they buckle up. So why would you put your dog in the back seat and not buckle them up to? OK, so they may lay down on the seat or on the floor, but it only takes for them to get a little excited or restless and they’re jumping about all over the place. A disaster and crash waiting to happen.
Recent stats show that pet related accidents are increasing so making sure they are buckled up could possibly save this from happening and stop your pet from flying through your windscreen.
You can easily buy pet restrainers and barriers from pet stores to ensure they are comfortable as well as safe for those car journeys.
April 28th, 2010 by Peter
Following on from the time and cost blog below I have to agree that most people don’t realise what is actually involved in looking after a pet – my 7 year old included!
He loves dogs and would like one of his own – although my excuse has always been that a 2 bedroom house just isn’t big enough plus we couldn’t leave it on its own all day whilst we’re at school and work. These excuses didn’t wash – the persuasion still kept coming.
However, we were both out walking my one of my girl friends and her little dog – well my son loved it. He was chasing him over – throwing sticks for him etc and still kept asking if we could have one. This was until he noticed my friend using the poop scoop! he asked what she was doing, so I explained, and he then went very quiet. A few minutes later – he said Mummy – I don’t want a dog any more it’s OK! Bingo!
April 22nd, 2010 by Peter
I was at my local supermarket yesterday buying a large bag of Pedigree dog food for my pet and was waiting to pay at the checkout when a woman behind me asked if I had a dog.
What did she think I had, a whale? So, as I’m retired and have quite a bit of time on my hands, i explained to her that, I didn’t have a dog but that I was starting the new craze of a diet -the Pedigree Diet.
I told her that although last time I tried it I ended up in intensive care, it was one of the best diets I had tried and that it works by filling your pockets with Pedigree nuggets and every time you feel hungry you pop one or two of the nuggets into your mouth! As they are full of nutrients it works well – have to say by this point everyone in the queue was now listening intently!
Obviously horrified, she asked if the dog food had poisoned me and was this why I ended up in intensive care. I told her no, I had stepped off a curb to sniff an Irish Setter’s bum and a car had hit us both.
Us retired folk have far too much time on our hands to think of daft things to say!
March 31st, 2010 by Lianne
As previously mentioned owning a pet can be very expensive. You do not always realise what it takes to look after an animal in your home. I am talking about vet bills, food and toys and general living costs. It is not only the cost in money, but also the time that needs to be dedicated to your pets. Many people buy a pet and then end up not having the time to look after it properly. Before getting a pet, I would take plenty of time to gain an understanding of the impact it can have on your life, not only financially but also the amount of time spare time you have.
March 31st, 2010 by Sally
Many people are very keen to ensure they live a healthy life style, eat the right types of food and get the right amount of exercise to ensure they live long and fulfilling lives. Not everyone realises that this is just as crucial for pets. It appears that it is not only the British public which should be worried about the continued increase in obesity in recent years. Pet owners are responsible for ensuring pets in their care also follow a healthy diet and exercise regularly to ensure they have a good quality of life. Recent research suggests that vets have reported that four in ten of four legged animals are now obese. How healty is your pet?
March 26th, 2010 by Peter
After insisting she had done nothing wrong seventy year old Virgina Wetzel was sentenced to six to 12 months in jail after being convicted of 25 counts of animal cruelty yesterday including twelve flea-ridden cats, nine dogs and four decomposing, mostly skeletal cats found in September.
The City seized and sealed the womans Port Richmond house and took 21 dogs and cats which she advised she had rescued from the streets. Waste piled six feet high was also removed from the premises.
Wetzel had been arrested in 2004 for similar charges. However this time the judge has barred her from owning any animals for fifteen years and ordered she pays the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals $32,304 as they were the ones who removed the animals and helped clear the house.
March 20th, 2010 by Peter
There has been a lot of controversy regarding electric collars for cats and dogs in the news this week, following the announcement that Wales is banning the use of them.
The collars which deliver an electric shock to the animal through their neck are used by pet owners across the UK to control their pets from miss-behaving. All the user has to do is push a button on a remote control in order for the shock to be delivered.
A variety of pet welfare groups have advised the devices, which can cost upwards of £100 pounds can cause unnecessary pain for cats and dogs and they have requested the ban be extended across the rest of Britain.
March 5th, 2010 by Sally
Last month it was brought to our attention how dangerous taking the dog out for a walk can potentially be!
A Spaniel chased a seagull off a ninety metre cliff near East Sussex and landed in the sea. It was a miracle that she survived. The dog suffered from only minor injuries but had to be rescued by the Royal National Lifeboat. The dogs owners called for help after seeing their pet swim for shore and hearing it bark.
The dog had landed in an area which was just deep enough for her fall to be cushion. She walked away suffering from a partially collapsed lung along with shock.
This should be a wakeup call for all dog owners, who take their dogs on walks near cliff edges. Keep them on their leashes and out of danger.
