PetLvr.com - [The Blog]

Pet Services Are There To Provide A Helping Hand

By Dean Cecere

If you were to sit down and make a list of all the pet services available to pet owners, it would take you an eternity. If you have an issue concerning your pet, no matter what kind of animal you have, chances are, there is someone close by to help you with a solution, so there is no need to worry yourself. Pet services, in general, can mean a lot of things to different people. There are also different services depending on the genre of pet you have. Typically, the more popular the type of pet, the more services you will find to help you with your concerns.

Most providers of pet services are pet lovers, and they are doing what they do with the inerest of the animal in mind. Unfortunately, sometimes the need for pet services arises due to a bad situation, such as a lost pet or an abused pet, and they neeed to be rescued. Animal rescue and animal shelters are among the most important of them all, and are there to help control the population of stray animals, and ultimately to save lives. It’s a shame that most of these types of pet services are non-profit organizations, because they often cannot hold on to these animals for ever. If you are looking to get a pet, this is where you will find animals that are up for adoption. Some of the animals have been abandoned, lost or abused, and they really need someone to take them in and take care of them.

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Punishment Is Not the Answer

By Lynn Lott and Jane Nelsen, and Therry Jay

Some people mistakenly think that kind and firm solutions reward their dogs for bad behavior and that the only way a dog can learn is to suffer. More often than not, the “solution” for the dog’s misbehavior is really misplaced anger or a desire to hurt the dog for hurting you. That’s what happened with Francie, who left her new puppy Cody, an American Eskimo dog (a very attached breed who needs attention), home alone for long hours while she went to work. Her little dog was bored and teething, so he entertained himself by chewing on Francie’s shoes. Little did he know that his entertainment would make his mom so angry. When Francie walked in and saw one of her $200 shoes in Cody’s mouth, she saw red. She pulled the shoe away from him and hit him with it over and over, yelling, “No, no, no! Bad dog, bad dog!” Cody slunk away with his tail between his legs and hid under a chair. Francie grabbed him and threw him outside saying, “You think about what a bad boy you’ve been.” Right!

If Francie thought her methods would stop Cody from chewing on her shoes because she “taught him a lesson,” she was soon disabused of the notion when, the next day, he chewed another pair of her best shoes. No amount of yelling and hitting seemed to get through to the little pup.

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Pros and Cons of Online Pet Shopping

By Christine Arbor

The internet has created tremendous opportunities for pet shelters and adoption agencies. While most of them are legitimate and responsible organizations, it is highly recommended to research the organization thoroughly before you consider adopting a new pet from one of them.

As the internet provides a certain amount of anonymity, it is relatively easy for unsavory breeders or suppliers to create the appearance of legitimacy. A number of stories have been printed recently in the press regarding the deceptive techniques used by animal breeders operating outside the realm of good conscience. Ensure that you are not supporting the unethical treatment of animals by supporting these unscrupulous businesses.

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Doggin’ Houston: Where To Hike With Your Dog When In The Bayou City

By Doug Gelbert

It was 1900 when Houston got its first park, the Kellem-Noble land backing against the Buffalo Bayou on the edge of town. Sam Houston Park at Bagby and Lamar streets was soon landscaped into a Victorian delight with an old mill, a stream, a rustic bridge, and walking paths. Since 1954 the park has been the home of The Heritage Society that preserves eight historic structures here in the menacing shadow of surrounding skyscrapers. The 19-acre park is a welcome spot to lounge with your dog in downtown Houston.

To stretch out and hike with your dog the call is Brazos Bend State Park, 35 minutes to the southwest. This area at a wide bend in the Brazos Biver is the site of Texas founder Stephen F. Austin’s first colonial land grant from Mexico in 1822. Five years later the land was deeded to Abner Harris and William Barrett who used the advantageous river location to ship cotton. In the years before the state of Texas purchased the land cattle grazed here, pecans were harvested and private hunting parties prowled the woods and swamps. Brazos Bend State Park - one of the largest in Texas with 4,987 acres - opened in 1984.

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Save Your Dog’s Life - Train Him!

By Lisa T

Common sense is the key when training your dog to come to you on command. Many of us, at some point in our dog-owning life, are guilty of swatting or scolding your dog after he gets away from you. Why? It happens most likely out of frustration, or embarrassment of looking like a crazy person trying to out-run their dog. By punishing your dog for running away, training him to come on command will be all the more difficult. Think about it, if you called him and called him, then chased him down and finally he comes, you then reward him with negativity by yelling at him or swatting him. Your dog is not stupid - do you think he will come to you again the next time, when he knows how he’ll be greeted? Take it from personal experience - dogs are all about positive reinforcement!

There will be times when your dog will get away from you unexpectedly, and knowing how to train them properly to come on command, could save their lives and your sanity. Remember, rule number one is to never ever punish your dog for coming to you, after getting away.

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The American Quarter Horse

By Michael Russell

It is thought, by some, that the foundation American Quarter Horse stock has at its roots Arabian, Turk, and Barb breeds. Others believe that the breed began with the acquisition of Chickasaw horses which were likely of Spanish extraction. Their history seems to begin around 1690, when horses exported from England were bred with native horses in America. The result of this cross was a small, stocky horse which was extremely fast in the quarter-mile sprint which the colonists loved to participate in during their off-time. Even when pitted against Thoroughbreds, this little horse came in first more often than not. Thus, the horse became known as the Quarter Horse.

In the 1800s, when the pioneers began to move west, they wanted a horse that could endure the rigors and was always willing to work. Their horse of choice was the Quarter Horse. They quickly found that the breed was excellent to use when working with cattle. Cattlemen soon preferred this animal because it seemed to know ahead of time what the cattle would do, and naturally moved to direct the herd where the cowboys wanted them to go. Even after the automobile was invented, Quarter Horses were still used almost exclusively on many ranches.

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Doggin’ Los Angeles: Where To Hike With Your Dog When In The City Of Angels

By Doug Gelbert

The seeds of one of the world’s great city parks were sown with the arrival of Colonel Griffith Jenkins Griffith from Wales in 1865 to make a fortune in California gold mines. In 1882 Griffith came to Los Angeles and purchased 4,071 acres of an original Spanish land grant, Rancho Los Felix.

In 1896 he gave more than 3,000 acres of California oaks, wild sage and manzanita to the city as a Christmas present - “a place of relaxation and rest for the masses.” Today Griffith Park, west of I-5 between Los Feliz Boulevard and Ventura Freeway, is the largest urban wilderness area in America, including 53 miles of trails, fire roads and bridle paths. Many of the trails feature views of the famous Hollywood sign - the 6-mile Mt. Hollywood Trail climbs to the top. Dog-friendly touches include a dog park adjacent to Ferraro Soccer Field and rides for dogs on the Los Angeles Live Steamers miniature train.

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Thanks to “dan27” for bringing this article to our attention … dan27 posted this HEADS UP news item over HERE in our PetLvr.com - [Community Forum].

PS: Feel free to leave news, tips, and other pet related information in our Pet Forum … you just never know - it might end up in here!

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Doggin’ Miami; Where To Hike With Your Dog When In Magic City

By Doug Gelbert

Until recently dogs were not allowed in any of Miami’s parks but here and there a park is allowing dogs in now. There are quite a few dog parks in Miami, both official and unofficial.

One is a five-acre Bark Park with paved walkways, benches, shade trees, waste dispenser stations, and specially designed drinking and spray fountains for dogs and their owners at Amelia Earhart Park. This dog-friendly oasis can be found at 401 East 65th Street in Hialeah.

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Damien, 119354

Damien is a really nice dog who was surrendered because his owners didn’t have time for him. He really likes being with people & enjoys having his big Rottie head rubbed. A real character, Damien’s been sad lately due to missing his family. We recommend an experienced home with kids 15 years+ for this big sweet fella. Consider adopting Damien! $159.00 adoption fee includes his neuter, vet exam, vaccine, pet insurance & much more!

Fiona, 117793

Fiona is a very nice longterm cat who was dropped off when her owner tired of her & her kitten. Only 2 years old, Fiona’s life had barely begun when she was dropped off here January 18- please help her to continue on her life’s journey by adopting her & giving her a second chance at a real life. Adult cats like Fiona who have been here 2 months or longer are reduced by 50%, only $48.06- this incredible fee includes her spay, vaccine, vet exam, 14-days of veterinary aftercare if required & much more!

Fees include vet exam, vaccine, pet insurance, microchip & much more!

If you would like to adopt one of these pets, please contact:

Chantal Young,
Adoption Coordinator
204.982.3558
chantaly@humanesociety.mb.ca

The Winnipeg Humane Society
5 Kent Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
R2L 1X3
Phone: (204) 982-2021
Fax: (204) 982-2047

www.winnipeghumanesociety.ca

Where every adoptable dog finds a home and cats get a second chance at life!