The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too

Friday, July 30, 2021

My Pet Alpaca: We Bring Alpacas Right To Your Door


Earlier this summer, Andrea Diaz, who lives in Vienna, Virginia started a new business, My Pet Alpaca. As WTOP first reported, anyone who wants a visit from Pisco and Chewy can reserve a spot online. An hour-long rendezvous with the fluffy duo is $60, and half an hour goes for $40. (Prices can vary based on location.) Think the livestock equivalent of Uber Eats or Amazon Prime: a dose of cute delivered directly to your door.

If you’re going to have Pisco and Chewy over for a socially-distant gathering, you’d do well to make it a pool party: The baby alpacas appreciate a cool place to take a dip.

“They absolutely love water,” their owner, Andrea Diaz tells DCist in between transporting her pets to homes around Washington. “As soon as they see a pool, they immediately go in. It’s like a reflex by now.”

Diaz grew up in Peru, where alpacas are treasured animals commonly adopted as pets. They’re gentle and curious, she says, and love to socialize. “My mom thought it would be hilarious to bring a bunch of llamas and alpacas to our backyard, and they were so cute,” Diaz recalls. “The babies started coming inside the house just like our dogs. And they started behaving a little bit like them. They were super sharp, and they loved people, so that’s when we understood they could be treated as pets.”

She moved to the U.S. about six years ago and decided to carry on her mom’s tradition and keep alpacas as pets. Pisco, who’s white, and Chewy, who’s brown, are both a year old. (Chewy is short for a more regal title: Chewpacca the Alpaca.) They’re about as tall as Great Danes, but much leaner; alpacas are notedly smaller than llamas. Pisco weighs 55 pounds; Chewy, 45.

Prior to the pandemic, Diaz — who’s a bartender at Inca Social, a Peruvian restaurant in Vienna — says she often took her pets to work to mingle with guests on the patio. The frequent socialization helped them become remarkably friendly animals, good with admirers of all ages. When quarantine began, Diaz realize that perhaps Chewy and Pisco could brighten other people’s days — particularly children who were struggling to understand why the world changed overnight. She thought it would be fun to join birthday parades, but knew that the alpacas’ soft feet would make walking long distances difficult. So she decided to put her idea on wheels.

Since then, Diaz has been working in overdrive to keep up with demand for alpaca visits. She bought a van and uses it to transport Pisco and Chewy around town; they eagerly load in every day. “When I take them out in the morning, the first thing I do is brush them. And I really have to stop them from trying to jump straight into the van,” she says.

She conducts visits wherever customers in the Washington region prefer: inside or outside their homes, or at public spots like parks. While D.C. residents aren’t permitted to keep alpacas as pets, Diaz has permits to bring them in for visits: “Anywhere that they allow dogs, we can be,” Diaz says, so long as there’s shade and access to water.

Prospective hosts should know that Pisco always looks mad; it’s nothing personal. His family refers to him as the grumpy baby — in jest, of course. He can’t help the way his fur grows around his eyes. Goofy facial expressions aside, Pisco is “very interested in everything, and very social.” He’s big on saying hello to those in his vicinity and is always hyper-aware of his surroundings.

Chewy, meanwhile, tends to look scared. He’s not — again, blame the eyebrows — but he is rather oblivious. “He’s a special boy, lost in his own world at all times,” Diaz says. “He pretty much munches on grass and doesn’t realize anything is going on around him.”

Both alpacas are incredibly soft — even more so than cashmere, as their owner puts it. They’re sporting mohawks this summer, a way to keep cool that still allows for a fuzzy strip of fur to run your hands through. Chewy and Pisco both enjoy back scratches.

During visits, many customers set up small inflatable pools. Diaz also travels with a portable pet pool, just in case. The alpacas like to lay down in the water. When they tire of splashing, expect the guests of honor to amble about, snacking on clover and yellow dandelions. They also like to sniff their hosts’ hands, eager to nose out any treats that might be tucked away in the humans’ palms.

Back at home, Chewy and Pisco live inside with Diaz and her husband, with constant access to the outdoors. They have their own room and unlimited food and water, and they spend much of the day munching and napping. They’ve rejected the dog beds Diaz provided, and don’t care for “cushiony stuff” like couches or beds, preferring to snooze on the carpeted floor. They’re house-trained and generally delightful roommates.

And that’s what Diaz hopes to continue demonstrating, even post-pandemic: She wants to spread alpaca joy throughout the region, and introduce people to her lovable, charming pets.

“Sometimes we go to houses and there are kids with special needs,” she says. “Sometimes the kids are terrified and won’t touch the babies at the beginning, or they might cry. And in just an hour, by the last 15 minutes the kids are hanging from their legs and not wanting to let go. To see that change, it’s pretty awesome.”

Chick HERE, to visit the website





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Monday, July 26, 2021

People Are Just Learning That Some Owls Sleep With Their Faces Down And Here Are 26 Pics


Lately, a few owls have been going viral without putting any effort into it. All they had to do was take a nap! Yes, they did it face down. Yes, they looked unbelievably cute and as if they just got back from a night of heavy drinking at the same time. And yes, probably 99% of people wouldn't even have known about it if it wasn't for the internet... OK, maybe their popularity is perfectly reasonable; maybe I'm just jealous of it.

Journalist Mark Rees is responsible for arguably the most successful sleeping owl PR campaign. A pic he tweeted has received over 119K likes, catapulting the series to Internet stardom on all sorts of platforms including Twitter, Facebook, Imgur, and, of course, Reddit. Continue scrolling and check out the irresistible birds that everyone is obsessing over for yourself. Chances are, you'll release at least a dozen "w" worth of "aww".

To read more on this story, click here: People Are Just Learning That Some Owls Sleep With Their Faces Down And Here Are 26 Pics


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Saturday, March 6, 2021

7 Crucial Things to Consider Before Giving CBD Oil to Dogs


If you follow natural health, you’ve likely heard of the exploding popularity of CBD oil for dogs. However, with its popularity comes a plethora of low quality sellers looking to make a quick buck. We put together this buying guide to help you choose a product that will make the most impact on your dog’s health.

To read more on this story, click here: 7 Crucial Things to Consider Before Giving CBD Oil to Dogs



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'Massive' Goldfish Weighing 9 Pounds Found in South Carolina Lake


A goldfish weighing nine pounds came under the spotlight Monday after being discovered during a fish population survey at a lake in South Carolina, park officials said.

Ty Houck, an official with Greenville County Parks, said the “massive” fish was found swimming on Nov. 16 in a 12-acre body of water in Oak Grove Lake Park in the county of Greenville.

Greenville Rec, which oversees the park where the fish was discovered, posted a photo of the golden spectacle on Facebook on Monday.

To read more on this story, click here: 'Massive' Goldfish Weighing 9 Pounds Found in South Carolina Lake 


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Bored Puppy Keeps Himself Occupied Entertaining Other Passengers On Flight


It’s almost safe to say that long flights are boring and most people (if not all) hate it, wouldn’t you agree? Not to mention the flight nightmares a lot of people have been sharing online.

There’ll be some inevitable circumstances that you’ll come across during a flight and the only thing that you can do is to ignore them. But how often do you see a dog on a flight?

Pretty much all airlines require pets to fly below deck with all of the luggage. It’s rare to see a dog enjoying a flight together with human passengers. And it’s exactly what this story is all about.

To read more on this story, click here: Bored Puppy Keeps Himself Occupied Entertaining Other Passengers On Flight



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26 Fascinating Pangolin Facts – Guide to the World’s Most Trafficked Animal


The pangolin is probably the most unfortunate animal you’ve ever heard of. It currently reigns supreme as the most trafficked animal on the planet!

Not only is the pangolin misunderstood and used regularly in traditional medicine, most people think this beautiful mammal is a reptile!

The scaly anteater’s body parts are sold in China and Vietnam as a delicacy, or are used for their mythical healing properties.

To read more on this story, click here: 26 Fascinating Pangolin Facts – Guide to the World’s Most Trafficked Animal


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Two Gorillas Test Positive For Covid At Zoo In San Diego


Two captive gorillas at the San Diego Zoo have tested positive for Covid-19 after falling ill, and a third gorilla appears also to be symptomatic, California's governor said on Monday.

The cases are believed to be the first known cases among such primates in the world.

The park's executive director, Lisa Peterson, told the Associated Press on Monday that eight gorillas that live together at the park are believed to have the virus and several have been coughing.

To read more on this story, click here: Two Gorillas Test Positive For Covid At Zoo In San Diego 




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How to Care for Hyacinth Macaws (Blue Parrots)


The beautiful, cobalt-blue hyacinth macaw is the largest of all parrots. It is a rare and threatened species that should be kept only by a very dedicated owner who can provide for needs that are as large as the bird itself. This is a bird that is more common in zoos than it is in private homes—and for good reason. It is a rare owner who has the time, patience, and financial resources to care for a unique and sensitive bird that is nearly as large as a bald eagle.

To read more on this story, click here: How to Care for Hyacinth Macaws (Blue Parrots)


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All the Essentials Your Cat Actually Needs, According to Vets


(CNN) —  

Crazy about a cat? Smitten with a kitten? Congratulations on the new addition to the family. “Cats are unique creatures,” says Chris Menges, a veterinarian in Austin, Texas, working in digital pet care delivery. “Yes, they can be more aloof than dogs, but interacting and communicating with your cat can provide one of the deepest human-animal bonds that is seen.”

Job one of cat parenthood is finding the right veterinarian. “The saying ‘You have nothing without your health’ is applicable not just to us but to our pets as well,” notes veterinarian Rachel Barrack of Animal Acupuncture in New York City. “You need a veterinarian who you feel comfortable discussing your concerns with.”

To read more on this story, click here: All the Essentials Your Cat Actually Needs, According to Vets


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Top-Selling Flea & Tick Collar Linked To Several Pet Deaths, Illnesses


Because fleas and ticks prove more than a minor nuisance to our dogs, there are many products out there aimed at keeping them away. However, some flea and tick collars that release pesticides onto your pet can actually be dangerous themselves.

The pesticide used in Seresto collars is supposed to kill fleas, ticks, and other pests while being safe for dogs and cats to wear. They’re designed to work for eight months, releasing small amounts of pesticide at a time. Seresto collars may be a top-seller on Amazon, but there have been several injuries and even pet deaths linked to them.

To read more on this story, click here: Top-Selling Flea & Tick Collar Linked To Several Pet Deaths, Illnesses


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Father-Of-Two Spots of One of Only 50 Albino British Squirrels Outside His Edinburgh Flat


  • Richard Waugh, 51, spotted the albino squirrel outside his flat in Edinburgh
  • The UK has around 50 albino squirrels with white hair and red or pink eyes
  • The odds of a squirrel being born white are thought to be about one in 100,000

A father captured extraordinary pictures of an albino squirrel posing for pictures outside his house – where it has become a regular visitor.

Richard Waugh, 51, was thrilled when he spotted the incredibly rare squirrel scampering around outside his flat in Edinburgh.

Software developer Richard said he sees the ultra-rare critter – which he has named Lexy – a couple of times a week and sometimes scatter nuts out for her.

To read more on this story, click here: Father-of-two spots of one of only 50 albino British squirrels outside his Edinburgh flat


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The Humane Rescue Alliance Monthly Outdoor Adoption Events! (Washington, DC)



Looking to adopt, but can’t do it today? The Humane Rescue Alliance, 1022 M Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003-3616. You can join them on the first Saturday of every month for an outdoor adoption event at their M Street location. PLEASE SHARE!

Todays Event:





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Friday, March 5, 2021

Cats Are too Socially Inept To Be Loyal


Cats may be too socially clueless to understand when someone is not being nice to their owners.

In the cat world, there's a saying that you should keep your humans' friends close and your humans' enemies … just as close. That's the takeaway of a new study that shows that cats, unlike dogs, will gladly accept food from people who are not nice to their owners. 

While dog lovers may rejoice at the chance for another study suggesting dogs are more loyal than cats, the conclusion is not that simple. It might not be that cats are disloyal; rather, they may be too socially clueless to understand when someone is not being nice to their owners, according to the new study, which was published in the February issue of the journal Animal Behavior and Cognition.

To read more on this story, click here: Cats Are too Socially Inept To Be Loyal


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Navy SEAL Remembers Dog Who Bravely Served And Died In Battle


There is no loyalty like that of military working dogs have with their handlers. These dogs have no fear and are so attached to their handlers, so dedicated to their mission and both have absolute confidence in each other.

Tyson, a Belgian Malinois, was one of the best of them. He was attached to a Navy SEAL Team and served his team with uncommon distinction, skill and utter faithfulness. Sadly, Tyson was killed in action recently and the loss to his handler and to the team is a heavy one indeed.

To read more on this story, click here: Navy SEAL Remembers Dog Who Bravely Served And Died In Battle


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