The Pros and Cons of Pet Ownership – Are You Really Ready for Pet Ownership?

I have always had a pet in my life. Even as a small child, I had pets. Some my parents would let me keep…and others that belonged to neighbors, that I had to return! I have had dogs, cats, birds, and fish.

As a pet owner, I feel that I can speak freely on my experiences with pet ownership. I had two Shih Tzu’s, Sugar and Domino for twelve years each. I got each of them when they were only months old. They have both crossed over the “Rainbow Bridge”.  Sugar in 2008, and Domino crossed on February 25, 2011.

I believe there is a health benefit to having pets. It is said that they can lower your stress level, and blood pressure. We have all had one of those days when we are not feeling well. One day I had a headache, and was lying on the sofa and fell asleep, only to wake up to warm bodies on me. They had both jumped up on the sofa and cuddled up with me, Domino on my feet and Sugar on my back…it was so cute, I actually forgot about my headache!

Then there are the days when I would arrive home from a stressful day a work, only to be greeted by the sound two yapping little dogs ready to go outside!  Once in the backyard running, and playing with them made the stress of the day slowly fade away.

The Pros:

• A pet is a wonderful addition to a family. I say “addition”, because eventually they become a part of your family.
• They are cute, playful and can make you laugh.
• Dogs are great for protecting you and your home.
•  If you get one from a shelter you are saving a life.

The Cons:

• Pets are not toys.
• Require commitment
• They can be expensive
• Hard work
• Require attention and maintenance

Pets Are Not Toys:
Have you ever noticed people’s reaction to pets in a pet shop. You’ll hear “Awww, look at this one…so cute!” or “I want one”. You may also have noticed someone in the street with a well-groomed dog, and think “that is a cute dog, I sure would like to have one like that”. The truth of the matter is that they are all cute…but require commitment, maintenance and can be expensive!

Pets are not toys, and you should never ever give one as a gift. Pets given as gifts usually end up on the streets or in the animal shelter.  Why? Because the person giving the gift thought it was cute, and would make the recipient happy. The recipient accepting the pet also thought it was cute…until it came time to care for it.

Pets Require Commitment:
Some dogs and cats can live up to 15 years and some longer. Are you committed to taking care of a living-breathing animal for 15 years? There are some birds, especially exotic ones that can live over 50 years.

They Can Be Expensive:
Pets can be expensive! Be mindful of your income before deciding to get a pet. I am not referring to pet food unless you have big pets such as several big dogs or horses!  I am referring to Vet bills, unexpected medical expenses, grooming and boarding.

I will refer to my expenses for my dogs. When they were puppies my grooming bill was $50 per dog approximately every 6 weeks, plus $10 tip ($110 every 6 weeks). They saw the Vet once a year for all of their shots, which was approximately $65 per dog. Unless they got sick…which my did several times. The office visit was $35 plus additional if they needed medication. Did you know that some pet medications could cost as much as human medications?

If you take your pet to an animal hospital they are very expensive. I paid $65 for an emergency visit, this was just for walking in! Then you have your Vet charges and medications. I also paid to have them spayed and neutered.

As my dogs turned in to adults, the grooming charges went up to $65 per dog. Thank God, the yearly visit to the Vet bill remained the same, however, they now needed to be on medication for heartworms, flea and ticks. A six-month package of each would run me approximately $35 - $50 depending. Since the packages contained only six doses, that would only last me 3 months because I had two dogs. I estimated it at being approximately $80 for both treatments every 3 months.

As pets get older, they can start experiencing health problems. Sugar was diagnosed with heart problems in August 2008. She was put on daily medications. In October she was rushed to the animal hospital on three occasions. A few days before she passed she was put on oxygen at $25 an hour. She stayed there for 4 hours ($100).

On the day that Sugar passed, I rushed her to the animal hospital where they began to work on her. They called me to let me know that she had passed, and let me know that I had a balance of  $650 due. I chose to have her cremated and put in an urn for an additional $500.

Domino got sick shortly after Sugar passed, and started chewing on his leg, which required a Vet visit and medication.

Now without Sugar, I only had Domino to worry about. Everything was okay for about two more years. Domino got sick in December 2010, right after Christmas. I took him to his regular Vet, and then there where three more visits to the animal hospital, two in the middle of the night. He had test done, x-rays and was put on medication. Domino had a tumor and past at home on February 25, 2011. I also had him cremated, and he now sits in my curio cabinet next to Sugar.

Hard Work
Did I say hard work? When you get a new puppy or kitten, it requires constant attention, and you will be cleaning up after them. You must pet proof your house! Just as you would for a child. You must take time to train them. This means getting your kitten use to the litter box. Did you know that young kittens have to go several times a day…so yes, you have to take them to the box…several times a day. I had them sectioned off in room outside of my kitchen with a folding gate while I was away. He told me to never give them full run of the house even when I was at home until they became adults. This stops them from getting into things and chewing in other parts of the house. The room was big enough for me to put their feeding bowls and water on one side, and their beds and puppy pads in other areas.

I took them out in the mornings, evenings and at night. I am so glad I have a fenced in backyard. Some people have to walk their dogs!  Taking them out three times a day was cute at first, but after awhile, you realize that you have got to stop in the middle of that good movie, or get up a little earlier for work to take them out. Oh yeah, my husband was on yard patrol with his pooper-scooper!

Sometimes, I would come home and they had been playing in their food, and missed the puppy pad!  Then there was the time when I came home and one had diarrhea and the other was spitting up. Oh, well that comes with the luxury of having pets. I would just clean it up. I can’t tell you how many times that I would be sitting at the dinner table and one would decide to throw their dinner back up!  I would have to run and get the cleaning supplies, and then clean them up. You should always clean up their messes immediately, this eliminates staining and odor. I had to make sure that I kept everything away from them, if I dropped anything they would both come running. Pets will eat anything off of the floor. When Sugar was teething, I bought her teething rings…she still chewed up my coffee table leg. Domino took out my Christmas lights! I am sure that some of you have had your experiences with cleaning up after pets.

Require Attention and Maintenance:
I don’t care what type of pet you have…it requires attention and maintenance. Dogs, Cats, Rabbits, hamster…etc. require play periods and some belly rubs and hugs. Dogs especially love human touch.

When you walk your dog the responsible thing to do as a pet parent is to carry a bag to pick up after them. If you have a pet in a cage…you must clean its cage. Birds will throw food all over the place, go in their water, which must be changed every day.

I currently have a 45 gallon fish aquarium that I maintain. I have approximately 60 tropical fish. I change 15% of their water, clean the sand, filter and the glass. I carry buckets of clean water to refill the tank. I do this, every Saturday…whether I want to or not!

I chose my dogs and my fish, they did not choose me. In doing so, I made a commitment to care for them and help them live happy lives.

Before you choose to become a Pet Owner, please consider some of the things that I have mentioned. If your lifestyle does not give you the time to take care of a pet…don’t get one until you have the time to commit. Also, please don’t buy an animal. A lot of pet shops get their dogs from puppy mills. Consider adoption. Check with you local animal shelter, they always have wonderful animals just looking for a forever home.

My intentions are not to discourage you from getting a pet, but only to let you know the requirements behind those cute little faces. Please take time to think before rushing out to get a pet, don’t buy on impulse, check your finances…and your heart. Are you ready for the commitment?

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If Your Dog Smells Bad - It Could Be Their Anal Glands

This is the most common cause of doggie odor that won't go away. Anal sacs are two small scent-sacs in the area of the anus. These are a type of "marking" glands. When a dog has a bowel movement, these sacs are normally squeeze, and a very smelly, oily secretion is released with the feces.

If these sacs become infected or impacted, problems result. This can be a very painful situation when they become infected. If a dog is scared or overly excited, these glands can secrete the smelly, oily substance on the surrounding fur, causing bad odor.

If you choose to do so, your veterinarian can show you how to check and even empty the anal sacs at home to prevent problems with odor. Always consult with your veterinarian if your notice an odd odor or anything "not quite right" with your pet. An ounce of prevention is definitely better than a pound of cure.

                                               Diagram showing location a of dog's anal sacs

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New York Birding Photographer Gus Keri Spotted a Rare Mandarin Duck at the Central Park Pond

On Wednesday afternoon, New York birder and birding photographer Gus Keri spotted a rare duck for these parts at the Central Park Pond. The male Mandarin duck is a striking bird, and while there are isolated populations in the United States (in California and North Carolina) they are most often found in East Asia. In fact, if you see one in the U.S., it's likely either escaped from captivity, or is from one of the few feral populations in the aforementioned states (the result of ducks escaping captivity and reproducing in the wild). So naturally, the one in Central Park caught the eye of a few passerby yesterday, and Keri captured it all on video:



David Barrett, who runs the Manhattan Bird Alert Twitter account and posted Keri's video, further explained that the duck is not of wild origin, telling Gothamist "it is an East Asian species that does not naturally migrate anywhere near here." He also noted the band on the leg, "further indicating that it came from some sort of captivity, either a zoo or a private collection... or a person put it there, as owners of exotic pets sometimes do in the park."

Paul Sweet, Collection Manager in the Department of Ornithology at the American Museum of Natural History, also confirmed with us that the bird is not from around here—"This is not native to North America. It’s native range is in East Asia. It has probably escaped from a private collection or zoo. You can see from the band on its right leg that it is a captive bird."

The most likely scenario would be that the Central Park Zoo's male Mandarin duck escaped, given the Zoo is just blocks from where this guy was spotted. However, Max Pulsinelli (Executive Director of Communications for WCS, including Central Park Zoo) told us this morning that it wasn't theirs. "We are aware of this duck," Pulsinelli told us. "We observed the band on it’s leg which is used for identification and can confirm that it is not from the Zoo."

We've reached out to the Parks Department and they've alerted the rangers; we'll update here if we find out any more information. For now, you may want to swing by the Central Park Pond for a rare duck sighting.

Update: The Parks Dept.'s Crystal Howard told Gothamist just after 5 p.m. on Thursday, "Duck watch is on! Our Urban Park Rangers attempted today to find and rescue the non-native Mandarin duck identified to be in Central Park—to no avail, yet." She also asks that, "If parkgoers see a tame, abandoned pet, alert an Urban Park Ranger or bring the animal to Animal Care & Control."

However, if the animal appears injured, "the best thing to do is leave the animal where it is and locate an Urban Park Ranger in the park. Tell the ranger what kind of animal it is (e.g. bird, dog, raccoon), the size and color of the animal, and its observed condition (is it dead, acting disoriented, bleeding, or just walking around?). The more information you can provide, the better."


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All About Keeping Hamsters as Pets

Are you thinking about getting a pet hamster for you or a child? Be prepared with knowing how to choose a hamster, what supplies you need, and how to feed and care for your new pet. Before you go to the pet store, learn how to provide a good home for a happy and healthy hamster.

Choosing a Pet Hamster

Hamsters are popular pets for children. They are small rodents that typically live about two years and are usually best if housed alone. Hamsters come in a variety of colors and breeds. Different breeds are known for distinctive traits. Learn about the choices before picking one out to take home:

Chinese Hamsters: These small hamsters are not as common as other kinds of hamsters. Many people often mistake them for dwarf hamsters.

Dwarf Hamsters: There are several varieties of dwarf hamsters, such as Roborovskis and Russians, and they're similar to Chinese hamsters.

Syrian Hamsters: Syrian hamsters come in several color variations and go by different names, such as goldens and teddy bears.

Make Sure the Hamster You Choose Is Healthy

Not every hamster in the pet store is of optimal health. Moving from supplier to store to a new home can be a stressful period for baby hamsters, and they will often get sick from it. Learn how to choose a healthy hamster and what to watch for after you take it home.

Young hamsters are best for taming since they will most likely be friendlier from the get-go. Choose an active hamster and one that doesn't look like he has a wet rear end or watery eyes. If a cage seems to have a few sick hamsters, it is probably best to avoid buying any hamster from that group since ​hamster diseases are very contagious.

To read more on this story, click here: All About Keeping Hamsters as Pets

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Why Does My Cat Kick Litter Out of Her Box?

Does your cat sometimes fling litter out of her box like party confetti? If so, there are usually some very simple reasons why.

Let’s consider normal feline elimination behavior. When cats eliminate in the litterbox, they typically follow a certain behavior pattern. First, they may inspect the litter material. Next, they may dig a shallow depression. Then, they eliminate. Afterward, some cats may try tocover their deposits. This is when they tend to get enthusiastic about the job and throw litter all around the box — and sometimes even outside the box.

If the sides of the litterbox are low, it is common sense that litter material may get “kicked” out of the container. The standard litterboxes we provide for our cats do not always take into account the full extent of a cat’s behavior when eliminating. 

Think Outside the Box

Wild cats exhibit the same behaviors as pet cats, but they do not have to deal with the constraints of alitterbox. I used to study feral cat behavior and observed numerous cats as they went about their business eliminating on a dairy farm. On the farm, where the cats were exposed to many “litter” substrates, they tended to dig in the finer substrates, such as sand and dirt, but they did not do this in grass or gravel. They were also able to fully extend their legs to rake the desired substrate, which they are usually unable to do in commercial litterboxes. Cats tend to spend more time manipulating the substrate they prefer. 

Size and Height Matters

If your cat always kicks litter out of his litterbox, consider getting one with higher sides. Or you can make your cat a larger litterbox by using a large plastic storage box with high sides (the ones I use are about 12 inches high) and cutting an opening in one side to allow easy access. This is also a good option for a cat who has  joint problems or other mobility issues — just make sure there are no sharp cut edges that could cause injury.

Some cats may also need a transition period, so leave the old box next to the new for one to two weeks, until you see the cat using the new box more frequently. Then you can remove the old box. You should also try to pick a box that is at least one and a half times the length of your cat from the tip of her nose to the base of her tail. Most traditional litterboxes are much smaller, so it’s no wonder if your cat is tossing some litter over the side.

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Is My Dog Fighting or Playing?: How to Tell the Difference

We’re all familiar with the classic doggie play bow, the unmistakable invitation to play that dogs use with other dogs and humans alike, and even other species. When I first adopted her, my young Rottweiler play bowed to one of my chickens (the hen was very confused and clucked nervously), and she still play bows with my sheep frequently. But what about some of the other behaviors we see when dogs are playing with one another, like bared teeth, growling and nipping?

We’re all familiar with the classic doggie play bow, the unmistakable invitation to play that dogs use with other dogs and humans alike, and even other species. When I first adopted her, my young Rottweiler play bowed to one of my chickens (the hen was very confused and clucked nervously), and she still play bows with my sheep frequently. But what about some of the other behaviors we see when dogs are playing with one another, like bared teeth, growling and nipping?

To read more on this story, click here: Is My Dog Fighting or Playing?: How to Tell the Difference

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Talkative Goat With Human Like Voice

Dog goes woof, cat goes meow... and this little goat says 'what, what?'

Dusty Belew from Tennessee recorded his talkative kid in action, bleating out the phrase in a human-like voice.

Instead of the standard 'baaa', the young animal repeats the word 'what' over and over.

When Mr. Belew instructs the kid to say it 'louder', the volume increases.

Then at the end of the recording the goat even bleats out a 'bye.'

His video has scored more than 4,000 hits on YouTube.





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Feline Disease and Medical Conditions

No one likes to think about their cat getting sick or contracting a disease, but unfortunately there are many diseases your cat could contract. It is important for you to be informed, understand what signs and symptoms to look for, and most importantly how you can prevent your cat from contracting certain avoidable diseases.

We’ve compiled information regarding some of the most common feline diseases. You can learn about prevention, signs and symptoms, how your cat could contract this disease, and treatment options.

To read more on this story, click here: Feline Disease and Medical Conditions


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This Dog-Friendly Restaurant Wants to Pay You $100 an Hour to Play with Dogs

Dreams do come true.

This time is it MUTTS Canine Cantina that is turning fantasy into reality.

The Texas-based bar and restaurant, which has two locations, is all about dining out with your dog in a way that is fun for both of you. With a membership to MUTTS, dog moms and dads can drop their canines off at the off-leash dog park attached to the restaurant while they get a meal or drink and watch from the patio. Owners can also join their dogs in the park or have their pooches sit with them for a bite.

To keep their canine and human customers happy, MUTTS is looking for their first ever “puptern” for its Dallas-Fort Worth location. The title should be enough to get dog lovers squealing.

The sole duty of the soon-to-be puptern is to play with dogs all day. That’s it.

Not only is MUTTS offering a fall internship with serious puppy perks, the restaurant is planning to pay handsomely for this pleasure. MUTTS’ puptern will be paid $100 an hour to greet members, offer to play with their dogs while they dine and then play with said dogs.

How is this real life?

To read more on this story, click here: This Dog-Friendly Restaurant Wants to Pay You $100 an Hour to Play with Dogs

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Top 10 Animals That Do Not Make Good Pets

Pet Primates
The worst kinds of animals to keep as pets are the ones that endanger human lives and that cannot survive outside of the wild, but that doesn't stop some people. Check out some of the worst kinds of animals to keep as pets and why there are better options.

Lemurs, capuchins, chimpanzees, and baboons all fall into the primate category. They are cute and “childlike” but are not a substitute for human babies. Sure, they are often treated like babies by their owners putting them in diapers and strollers but they also act like babies, permanently, with all the messes and screaming included.

The biggest problem with pet monkeys is that they may go on a rampage without warning since they have no moral conscience. They may also bite their owners which is something the health department doesn't like. This is especially scary given the fact that they can transmit diseases like Hepatitis A and HIV-1, the virus that causes AIDS.

To read more on this story, click here: Top 10 Animals That Do Not Make Good Pets


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Your First Thought….What a Cute Kitten!: This is Not a Kitten, This is an Adult Sand Cat

Don’t be fooled by the off the scale cuteness. This is not a kitten. This is an adult Sand Cat – or Felis margarita, a little known species of desert cat. In the wild it lives in areas that are too hot and dry for any other cat- the deserts of Africa and Asia, including the Sahara. It is the only desert species of cat known to us. As such, this cat is one tough cookie.

It also lives in the Arabian desert and those of Iran and Pakistan, yet despite being so widespread it was not described by a European until 1858.

To an extent the sand cat could be mistaken for a domestic cat but there are differences, noticeably the very broad head. Additionally the ears are much wider apart than they are in the domestic cat – a feature which means that the sand cat can flatten them horizontally when hunting. They are a little larger, growing up to ten centimeters longer in length than the domestic cat, with a span of up to sixty centimeters.

Likewise with their height – they usually grow to about six centimeters taller than the domestic cat. Their sandy yellow fur sets them further apart, as do the pale bars which can be found on their legs and backs. Perhaps what adds to their attractiveness is the white chin and underside and the pale red stripes which run over the cheeks from the eyes.

One difference from the cats that we know which is difficult to see in these pictures is the fur that the cats have between their toes. You might think that the last thing a desert living cat might need is more fur but this helps to insulate them against the piping hot sand over which they must stalk their prey. They also have fur on their footpads which makes it very difficult to hunt as the fur misshapes their tracks.

The hollow structure that encloses part of their middle and inner ear, their auditory bullae, are also larger than those of the domestic cat. This helps to enhance their hearing and with it they can pick up vibrations in the sand. Finally their mucosa (the membrane around their eyelids) is a conspicuous black which gives them a certain eyeliner look.

So desolate is their natural habitat that sometimes the sand cat can go for months without a drink of water. Instead, they survive off the water in their food, which is mostly rodents but they will also eat birds, lizards and insects. They will not live in sand dunes themselves but prefer flat or rolling terrain's, retreating to their burrows when it becomes too hot even for them.

As they mostly eat rodents, they do a lot of digging. Skulking close to the ground they use their extremely sensitive hearing to detect the sound of burrowing underneath them. When they hear something which corresponds to a meal they dig down to catch their prey.

Despite the fact they are not terribly social and only really get together for mating they do not defend territory. They have even been observed taking turns sharing burrows. One cat will leave and hunt while another stays behind and rests. When the first returns, the other will leave.

As well as their obvious enemy, us, the sand cat is not at the top of its own particular food chain. It is predated by wolves and even occasionally by snakes and large birds of prey. Yet they are fearless creatures, and are obliviously unafraid of humans when they come in to contact with us.

Hunting the sand cat is prohibited only in half the countries in its range, though it is hoped that this law will soon extend throughout its territories. It has even recently been reintroduced in to the wild in Israel where it had been previously extirpated. It remains one of the least known but beautiful cat species on the planet.

For more information on Sand Cats, visit: Sand Cat - Facts, Info & Photos

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Female Trophy Hunter Travels The World For New Species To Slaughter

Animals deserve better. They are beautiful creatures that do not deserve to be slaughtered for “fun”. One woman is killing many majestic animals around the world for the thrill.

The world is outraged at the photos of innocent animals that were hunted and killed by an American trophy hunter, Larysa Switlyk. The self proclaimed ‘hardcore huntress’ is unapologetic in her kills and continues to travel the world for new species to hunt.

After one of her recent hunting trips in Scotland, she prompted the Scottish government to review the law around animal culling. A photo of her posing with a beautiful wild goat, that she just killed, went viral in which she said, “Such a fun hunt!!”. She killed four stags, two goats and a sheep, then posted pictures of her smiling – enraging animal lovers.

She has killed a bear, moose, sheep, timber wolf and a crocodile to name just a few. Not only are the images causing outrage but the captions are just as heartless. She recently killed a beautiful peacock in New Zealand and posted a picture to her social media accounts with the caption “Shake your tail feathers. And yes … they do taste like chicken!!”

To read more on this story, click here: Female Trophy Hunter Travels The World For New Species To Slaughter

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Dancing Pit Bull - Woman Reveals The True Nature Of Pit Bulls, That Wasn't Expected! See Video!

Pit Bulls often get a bad reputation, but this video is proof that it is dog owners who cause some animals to be aggressive and dangerous. This video was such a great surprise for me! When I think of the traditional Bollywood-style dancing I’ve seen in films, it definitely isn’t a dog who comes to mind. I couldn’t believe my eyes once the music came on and these two started moving!

The dog’s owner is a trained choreographer who shows us that with a little love (and presumably a lot of practice!), even a Pit Bull can be the most graceful dancer. My favorite moments happen after about 0:59… just take a look at what a great dance partner that dog is! I hope these two keep showing off their moves, because they are both amazing talents. What a show!

Pit Bulls are just like any other breed. They love to learn, they love to love. Please share this amazing video if you love the breed as much as we do!

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Do Dogs Need Sunglasses?

No, not really. But that doesn't mean you should put away the shades for good.

Humans wear sunglasses to reduce ultraviolet exposure, which can lead to age-related cataracts to our eyes. Dogs, on the other hand, have a shorter life span and therefore don't develop UV light damage in their eyes.

Dogs still get cataracts, or blurry, clouded vision, but they're either inherited, caused by diabetes, or develop because of continued lens growth during old age, says Robert English, an animal eye care veterinarian. “Because of their deeper set eyes, in most breeds at least, and their heavier brow, their eyes are more shaded by their brows and have less of a direct angle to the sun than our eyes,” English says.

But sunglasses may still help old pups or ones with certain eye diseases. In this case, English recommends Doggles, or dog goggles designed for your canine companion. “Older dogs with early age-related cataracts arguably probably have slightly better vision outside on a sunny day if they wear polarized Doggles."

Denise Lindley, a veterinary ophthalmologist, said dogs with Pannus, a disease of the cornea, also could benefit from Doggles because of the decreased UV exposure. “A typical case would be a dog in Colorado that hikes a lot with its owner,” Lindley says.

Take note: Doggle protection only goes so far. Veterinarian James Hagedorn says dog sunglasses do not provide protection against debris, so they won't help if your dog is hanging her head out the car window.

If you do want to go down the Doggles route, you can purchase a pair from a variety of retailers, including Petco. DoggieShades, another canine sunglasses retailer, offers $15 sunglasses with an adjustable strap for your dog.

Bottom line: dogs don't need sunglasses, but if you want to protect your old dog’s eyes or you want your dog to make a fashion statement at the park, there's no harm letting her sport a pair of sunglasses.


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A Child's Heartwarming Response to, "Why Do Dogs Leave Earth First?"

I did not write this story, but sometimes out of the mouths of babes comes the most intelligent explanations to life. Please read...

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Judge Sick Of Seeing Animals Get Hurt, So He Decides To Take Drastic Measures

His policy was always about getting even. He knew from the moment he met them he needed to make these criminals pay, but what the courtroom never expected was the original and humiliating sentencings the judge actually offered. One case, in particular, had the judge so furious, he had no other choice but to take his proceedings to the next level.

Michael Cicconetti is a well known municipal court judge from Painesville, Ohio. His unusual sentencings started in the mid 90's when he had had enough of first-time criminals getting away with almost no reprimand and not learning their lesson. He had to do something. The judge presides over more than 40 cases daily, and sadly, sees a lot of animal abuse and neglect cases. Being an animal advocate himself he is no stranger to giving out 'personal sentencings' when it comes to these types of crimes. Nonetheless, his creativity doesn't just stop there.

Judge Cicconetti had grown up surrounded by animals, his family pet was his loving childhood companion; “He was the best pet a kid could ever ask for,” the judge said in an interview. He had always been an animal lover from very young and now, is the proud dad to a 10-year-old Bernese Mountain dog named Kasey. After years of seeing different criminals come and go from his courtroom, he decided he had had enough. He needed to teach them a lesson.

To read more on this story, click here: Judge Sick Of Seeing Animals Get Hurt, So He Decides To Take Drastic Measures

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'Gay' Penguins Manage to Successfully Hatch Baby Chick and Are Taking Turns to Look After It

At the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium in Australia, caretakers noticed that two male gentoo penguins, Sphen and Magic, had become inseparable. During breeding season, the pair were constantly seen swimming together and waddling around together. Then they began presenting each other with pebbles, a clear sign of romantic interest. (For penguins, pebbles are like diamonds, demonstrating they wish to become a couple.)

The aquarium quickly noticed Sphen and Magic had formed a serious bond. "They recognized each other’s signature calls and songs," said Penguin Department Supervisor Tish Hannan. "Only bonded penguins will be able to successfully find their partner using their calls when they are separated." When the couple constructed a nest out of stones, caretakers provided them with a dummy egg to practice incubating.

To read more on this story, click here: 'Gay' Penguins Manage to Successfully Hatch Baby Chick and Are Taking Turns to Look After It

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‘Maine Coon Kitten’ That Has A Human-Like Face Is All Over The Internet

The internet is obsessed with cats. Literally. Cat memes are littered across the internet with a populace that's quite astounding. It's no wonder why this Maine Coon kitten has drawn so much attention.

Tatiana Rastorgueva, the owner of a 2 month old Maine Coon kitten (whom she named Valkyrie) merely had to upload a picture on Instagram of her new fur ball before she went viral. Valkyrie, as it turns out, doesn't quite look like your everyday, average Maine Coon kitten.

Tatiana took notice of her kitten's minor abnormalities and wanted all her friends to see. She didn't expect that her kitten's human-like face would be an internet sensation.

Now, "human-like" can mean so many different things. Usually, when animals are personified as human, they have some specific attributes. Sometimes animals make noises that sound like us talking, or they "smile" like us, or protect us. So, even though Valkyrie undoubtedly looks human, it's a toss up for what makes her so human-like to so many people.

In the pictures, which you can check out here, people have noted that the look in her eyes as she puts on a comforting, surreal expression is what makes her so human like. Others have pointed out that the structure of her bones along her face are truly resembling that of a human face.

Valkyrie, it seems, just has the "it" or "wow" factor that draws so many different people in!

To read more on this story, click here: ‘Maine Coon Kitten’ That Has A Human-Like Face Is All Over The Internet

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This Giant Cat Couch is For Both Cats and Humans

Couch or gigantic plush toy?

If you love cats and have ample space in your apartment, then you’ll love this giant cat couch. It was created back in 2010 by Unfold, a design studio based in Antwerp, Belgium, as part of a five-piece feline-centric art installation. It’s actually described as a sculpture and it’s called Felix Domesticus

It’s awesome for so many reasons, I don’t know where to start. For one, it looks mighty cushy and comfortable. Because of its size and how it’s built, I’m sure up to a dozen people can lounge on it comfortably. The legs add a modular feel in the sense that you can use them as a pillow or as a hand rest of sorts.

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New Growing Trend Across the U.S. - Freeze Drying Pets

Growing up on the family farm, Anthony Eddy learned early on not to get too attached to animals, including household pets.

His devoted customers are a different story. Pet lovers across the country count on the Saline County, Missouri, taxidermist to faithfully preserve Brutus, Fluffy and other beloved companions for posterity.

Even if it means shelling out thousands of dollars and waiting more than a year for the pets' return.

"They're very distraught, because their child has died. For most people, this animal is their life," said Lessie 'Les' Thurman Calvert, Eddy's office manager.

"Some are kind of eccentric. But most of them are just like you and me. They don't want to bury or cremate them. They can't stand the thought. ... It helps them feel better about the loss."

The front showroom of Eddy's Wildlife Studio in downtown Slater is a testament to pet owners' perseverance.

Lifelike dogs and cats of all sizes are scattered along the floor, from a perky-looking Brittany spaniel to a regal Persian cat, a lone iguana and the stray cockatiel or two.

Departed pets of all persuasions spend up to one year in hulking, freeze-dry metal drums before they are painstakingly preserved and returned to their owners.

Eddy said his business is one of the few in the country to specialize in pet taxidermy and has a two-month waiting list.

A former high school chemistry and biology teacher, hog farmer and Air Force veteran, Eddy started out in traditional taxidermy, stuffing great horned owls and pheasants with the help of a local veterinarian.

He originally used the freeze-dry technique to preserve mounted turkey heads for hunters before realizing in the mid-1990s it could also work with pets.

Eddy, 64, compares his line of work to the mortician's trade. He'll share broad details about the process with customers but likes to keep some mystery to the process and steer clear of the gross-out factor.

He's quick to embrace the artistry of his craft, especially when it comes to the primping and prepping required once the internal organs and body fat are removed and the carcass is fully dry.

Depending on the customer's preference, pets can be posed with a skyward gaze, an extended paw or with eyes closed, seemingly asleep.

"You just have a knack for it," he said. "It's like an artist painting a picture".

The degree of difficulty - and the scrutiny of demanding pet owners who can immediately detect flaws or imperfections in their loved ones - keep many traditional taxidermists from the domestic animal sector, said Steve Wolk, president of the National Taxidermists Association.

"No matter how perfect your pet comes out, there can still be something wrong," said Wolk, who owns Little Creek Taxidermy in Festus, Mo. "When you go deer hunting, you don't know what that deer looks like. Everybody knows exactly what their pets look like".

Debbie Rosa, a 59-year-old teacher who splits her time between southern Maine and Port Charlotte, Fla., had her 17-year-old fox terrier, Lexi, preserved by Eddy when the dog died just before Christmas 2005. She said the choice was an easy one.

"I could stare at an urn, or I could stare at the ground in the cemetery, or I could hold and pet her," Rosa said. "Her spirit is in heaven, but her body is here on Earth".

Eddy and Calvert estimate they receive two to three pets each week, every week. The studio charges $850 for pets under 10 pounds and $40 for each additional pound.

Allen McConnell, a psychology professor at Miami University in Ohio who studies pet owners' behavior, said those who opt for animal preservation can be motivated by grief, a need for belonging and anthropomorphism - the act of ascribing human attributes to animals or even inanimate objects.

"It's very common for people to memorialize important members of their family," he said. "We often visit relatives in family gravesites on birthdays. ... It's part of an extended connection that people have".

Eddy said he is no longer surprised by unusual requests from customers.
It seems that as long as humans embrace animals as four-legged friends, those bonds will continue past the pet's expiration date.

"It runs the whole gamut," he said, mentioning turtles, guinea pigs, snakes and more. "If you've got a pet of some kind, somebody's going to want you to preserve it".

Preserving: Joe Pycke prepares a deceased cat before placing it in a freeze dryer at Anthony Eddy's Wildlife Studio

Posterity: Animal lovers from across the country call on Anthony Eddy and his team to faithfully preserve their beloved departed pets

Full house: Receptionist Lessie Calvert sits behind her desk surrounded by freeze-dried animals

Frozen: Pycke pulls a cat out of a freeze dryer, an essential step in the preservation process

Resting: A freeze-dried squirrel and dog wait for their loved ones to take them home

A freeze-dried dog is displayed on a table at Anthony Eddy's Wildlife Studio in Slater.


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