There are only two sides to a fence and when it comes to squirrels, you are on one side or the other. Love them or hate them, squirrels are here to stay.
So, you want a dog...well, the kids do anyway. How do you pick the right breed for your family? Actually, it's EASY. Click the link below and take the test. REMEMBER, even if you do NOT plan to obtain a purebred, you can still find the traits you want by looking at each dog and knowing the possible blends of breeds in each dog you look at!
Just follow this link: http://animal.discovery.com/breed-selector/dog-breeds.html
Nearly every child wants a pet and having one is a great way to teach children how to be responsible. Your child may now be ready to take on the obligation of caring for a pet and what it takes to keep it happy and healthy. The health and overall wellbeing of whatever pet your child has will depend on the time and effort it is given.
Small animals make the best option for a child’s first pet. They are relatively easy to care for, require less time and effort to maintain, they do not need too much space, and will not demand so much from a child. Older children may be responsible enough to care for pets on their own but younger children may need some supervision. Most kids will want to handle their pet. It would be ideal to choose a pet that doesn’t mind snuggling now and then.
Some small animals that would be ideal pets for children:
Rats – Many have their qualms about keeping rats as a pet mainly because people think they are dirty. Rats actually love to groom themselves and as best as rodents can, they practice excellent grooming habits. They are extremely sociable, highly intelligent, and are capable of developing strong bonds with their owners. Most of all, rats love to be handled. They are bigger than most small animals which makes them easier to carry and less fragile. The ideal housing for a rat is a wire cage for better ventilation. It should be at least 1 foot deep in length and height and 2 feet in width.
Corn snake – Some reptiles need more care and maintenance than others. Corn snakes make wonderful pets for children older than 5. For kids who are susceptible to allergies, reptiles are the best option. Corn snakes come from the southeastern part of the United States but are usually bred in captivity. They come in many patterns and vibrant colors. They usually grow as big as four to five feet. The ideal housing needed for corn snakes is a 15-20 gallon tank with a secure top made of wire mesh. A heat source is needed to create a comfortable habitat for your pet; a heat lamp or a heating pad in one side of the aquarium will do nicely. Feeding time usually requires live or frozen feed. Corn snakes are docile and will not mind being handled.
Guinea pig – These cute creatures are cute and furry, easily tamed, and love being carried around. They can develop strong bonds with their owners and require minimal care and maintenance. They are inexpensive and very gentle. They can be housed in wire cages that do not take up much space.
Beta Fish - Easy as pie to take care as Beta fish are not only beautiful to look at but SUPER EASY to maintain. Requiring only a small bowl and some food, a Beta can live for two to three years in their regularly cleaned bowl. Be sure to obtain chlorine remover for the water and some Beta food. Keep the bowl clean as a dirty bowl means less oxygen for your Beta.
Portions of this article were reprinted from Pet News Network
Here comes fall and winter. Our time to bring in the lawn furniture, mow that grass one final time and make one last trip to the groomers until spring, so many months away, right? Wrong. Do you really want to let your double-coated furry pet cruise through until spring?
Look at it this way; if you left that last mowing until spring, the grass would be so high and thick your mower would have to struggle to get through it, leaving mounds of cut grass needing to be raked up. And how about if you decided no more trips to the salon for a hair trim; or better yet, no bathing till spring. I'll bet you wouldn't make it through the first two weeks.
My point here is your pet cannot do this either. Double-coated dogs will be embedded with old undercoating and by spring the skin underneath will be dry and flaky with all kinds of sore, itchy spots from lesions to rashes. The Bichons and Doodle dog varieties will have the same skin issues but now will also be completely lock-matted to the skin. The list of issues goes on through the various breeds. And now you're also into difficult and hurtful grooming sessions and probable vet bills to solve the neglect.
In the end, keeping your loved one well groomed year-round will no doubt save you money in the long run and make for a cleaner pet that can snuggle with you on the couch "stink free" through the long winter months. Sounds like a better idea to me. Whether you use a groomer or do it yourself, please do your best to keep your beloved pet bathed and groomed. You will both be happier in the end.
Have a great winter!
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