I have a lot of fond memories of my childhood years. My family shared great times of vacationing and of enjoying our annual winter trip to the mountains for skiing. We shared every Saturday morning's breakfast together and we even liked to play games together on Friday nights. I truly loved my growing up years and I loved being a part of my family. My absolute favorite memory of childhood, however, is not a memory of my family at all, it is my memory of my favorite German sheppard dog.
I got my German sheppard as a birthday gift on my tenth birthday, so I guess you could say that the memory is in some way connected to the family who purchased Ruffy (as I named him) for me. I loved that dog. I had been asking for one ever since I was in first grade, and I guess by the time I was turning ten my parents realized that I was serious about wanting a German sheppard and that I probably wouldn't stop asking until they gave me one. So all of my childhood dreams came true the day I turned ten and came home from school to discover a brand new German sheppard puppy waiting just for me.
My four siblings were not thrilled about the birthday gift my parents had chosen. Apparently, they had each asked for an animal in the past and had never received anything more than a small tank of fish. I felt pretty good about the fact that I was the first one to receive a German sheppard for my birthday, even though I know it was only due to my nagging that my parents finally melted and agreed. I was very generous, for the most part, about sharing my German sheppard with my brothers and sisters. We spent countless hours that summer playing with Ruffy, trying to teach him new tricks, and of course teaching him when and where to go to the bathroom.
I guess my German sheppard became my best friend in a way that no one else had. I had some trouble fitting in with the other kids at school and so I quickly became attached to my German sheppard enough that it didn't matter what anyone else thought of me because I had Ruffy to go home to at the end of a long day.
Ruffy and I spent the next thirteen years getting along great. When it was time for me to head off to college, I left my German sheppard in the care of my mother, who did a fabulous job with him. I have nothing but fond memories of my German sheppard.
2008年9月16日星期二
2008年9月4日星期四
havana brown cat~!~
The British shorthaired breed bearing this name is the brown variety of the Oriental Shorthair, while the American version is a separate breed with a distinctive body and head type.
Though originally named for the brown color, a lavender frost color is also permitted in some associations.
The Havana is a very outgoing breed that loves following its people around.
breed Traits
Rather than attempt a Siamese body style as British breeders have done, American breeders have favored a more moderate body and head type for their Havana Browns. The British Havana Brown is considerably more Siamese in conformation than North American Havanas. The American Havana Brown’s distinctive muzzle, rich color, expressive eyes, and large ears make it distinctive and exceptionally striking among the American cat breeds.
The Havana’s coat is also distinctive. Color is very important to this breed: the coat should be a rich, even shade of warm brown, tending toward red-brown or mahogany rather than black-brown. Allowance is made for ghost tabby markings in kittens and youngsters.
History
The Havana Brown is a man-made hybrid of self-brown cats outcrossed with a variety of other breeds such as black Domestic Shorthairs, chocolate point Siamese and Russion Blue cats. The breed was created in the 1950’s by a number of English breeders collaborating together using self-brown cats that existed as early as the late 1800’s. Known as Havanas in Europe, these cats were first imported to North America in the mid-1950’s. Soon after their arrival, they became known in the U.S. as Havana Browns. Modern British Havana strains are reported to have an increased Siamese cat influence compared to the North American lines. The Havana Brown is recognized by the cat Fancier’s Association (CFA), the American cat Fancier’s Association (AFCA) and The International cat Association (TICA).
Appearance
All Havana Brown cats are a rich, glistening dark brown with just a hint of red. The colour must be even from nose to tail and from tip to root. Whiskers should be brown; nose leather and paw pads are a rose colour that harmonises with the coat. Since Havanas are a shorthair breed, routine grooming is kept to a minimum.
Personality
Havanas are gentle, intelligent and remarkably adaptable. They take almost any situation in stride, and with confidence and poise set about to rule whatever roost they are given. One-room walk-up or palace – it’s all the same to them as long as they have plenty of love and attention from their human friends.
Havanas make wonderful companions if you like interactive cats. Devoted, affectionate and constantly curious, Havanas want to be where you are, preferably right in the middle of the action. They want to help you read the paper in the morning, type on the computer in the afternoon, and prepare dinner in the evening. Their playful attitudes and ability to adjust to other pets and children make them great family companions. Unlike the Siamese, they are vocally quiet.
However, like the Siamese, Havanas need human interaction and don’t do well if they are ignored or left alone for long periods. Havanas are just not happy without humans around to love. If you work all day and have an active social life at night, consider a less dependent breed.
for:htt://www.pictures-of-cat.com
2008年8月28日星期四
Choosing a Dog - Things Everyone Should Look For
When the moment arrives for selecting a dog of your own, you should have a good idea of what you are looking for. If you are primarily concerned with finding an average dog, we highly recommend your local animal shelter. Not only will you be helping to relieve the local over population of animals as well as possibly rescuing a loving little dog, you just might meet the best friend you will ever have.
No matter where you find the right dog for you, the same basic rules will apply. You will find that a very young puppy only vaguely resembles the adult dog you admired on the street or in the show ring. Older puppies, between the ages of six and twelve months or so, go through an awkward adolescent stage during which they seem hopelessly out of proportion. You will often get a better idea of what the puppy will eventually look like if you observe the adult members of his family, (when this is possible).
If you are looking for a puppy, rather than an adult dog, there are various methods of picking the best puppy from a litter. Some advise avoiding the weakest and shyest, even though the runt of the litter may turn out to be the best. Some breeders claim the mother picks out the best, so they remove the puppies from her and note which ones she brings back first. But everyone agrees that the signs of a good temperament in a very young puppy are friendliness, confidence, playfulness, and curiosity.
When you must choose a puppy from a litter you should proceed by elimination. First of all is sex, male or female, this will eliminate 1/3 to ½ the group. Then you might consider colors or markings, next a playful and happy attitude. But always bear in mind the role he will play in your life. Do you want an active playful dog, or one that is quiet and more reserved? Go with the one that most closely fits your lifestyle.
Choosing an adult dog is different. He has already achieved his full physical development and personality. He may also have acquired physical or mental quirks. When choosing an adult dog of unknown past, you must use all of your powers of observation. Like the puppy, a good temperament is the most important quality of all. Keep in mind that adult dogs are more difficult to train, as they have already been trained by someone else.
If you are looking for a show dog, temperament may be secondary to physical conformation. There tends to be considerable difference of temperament between the show lines or breeds, and the working lines of certain breeds. If you want a pet whom you can also show with some success, the best solution is to choose either one of the breeds in the sporting and working groups that have not been affected by artificial show standards.
Lastly, when making your final choice, choose from the heart and not so much by the book, and you both will be happier for it.
No matter where you find the right dog for you, the same basic rules will apply. You will find that a very young puppy only vaguely resembles the adult dog you admired on the street or in the show ring. Older puppies, between the ages of six and twelve months or so, go through an awkward adolescent stage during which they seem hopelessly out of proportion. You will often get a better idea of what the puppy will eventually look like if you observe the adult members of his family, (when this is possible).
If you are looking for a puppy, rather than an adult dog, there are various methods of picking the best puppy from a litter. Some advise avoiding the weakest and shyest, even though the runt of the litter may turn out to be the best. Some breeders claim the mother picks out the best, so they remove the puppies from her and note which ones she brings back first. But everyone agrees that the signs of a good temperament in a very young puppy are friendliness, confidence, playfulness, and curiosity.
When you must choose a puppy from a litter you should proceed by elimination. First of all is sex, male or female, this will eliminate 1/3 to ½ the group. Then you might consider colors or markings, next a playful and happy attitude. But always bear in mind the role he will play in your life. Do you want an active playful dog, or one that is quiet and more reserved? Go with the one that most closely fits your lifestyle.
Choosing an adult dog is different. He has already achieved his full physical development and personality. He may also have acquired physical or mental quirks. When choosing an adult dog of unknown past, you must use all of your powers of observation. Like the puppy, a good temperament is the most important quality of all. Keep in mind that adult dogs are more difficult to train, as they have already been trained by someone else.
If you are looking for a show dog, temperament may be secondary to physical conformation. There tends to be considerable difference of temperament between the show lines or breeds, and the working lines of certain breeds. If you want a pet whom you can also show with some success, the best solution is to choose either one of the breeds in the sporting and working groups that have not been affected by artificial show standards.
Lastly, when making your final choice, choose from the heart and not so much by the book, and you both will be happier for it.
2008年8月23日星期六
A Guide When Choosing Your Pet Insurance Company
In a time when there seems to be almost constant talk about the issues surrounding health care coverage for families in the United States, there is an insurance product that is often overlooked. Animal health cover is designed to cover the veterinary costs for the health care of the four-legged members of the family. If your family includes one or more family pets, then seeking out policy information from a reputable pet insurance company might make good economic sense.
Just as the human members of the family need and deserve adequate health care, so do your pets. Household animals and even livestock such as horses, cattle and exotic animals are all subject to any number of illnesses and accidents that threaten their health and longevity.
In fact, in the last decade or so there has been a significant increase in the incidence of cancer and other serious diseases in domestic mammals and other animals. Because of this, it is a wise choice to seek out pet insurance coverage.
Securing animal health cover coverage from a reputable and reliable company can be of enormous benefit to a family, especially families with many of them in the household. Such a pet plan can guarantee protection against financial hardship for a family if they are faced with large veterinary pet bills. The stress and anxiety that a family is put under if they cannot afford a life-saving procedure for their animal can be devastating.
In recent years, veterinarian care has expanded and there are more diseases and illnesses that can now be treated. With the expansion of care, there has also come an increase in associated costs, very similar to the rise in health care for humans.
The good news is that this shift has lead to more interest in animal health cover and an increase in pet insurance company coverage options that are now available. In addition, there are also more companies offering pet insurance, increasing the competition and thereby keeping the cost in check.
No matter which animal plan company you select to carry your pet insurance coverage, the reputable companies will strongly recommend that you take steps to try to prevent illness so that your animal can enjoy health and well-being to the greatest degree possible. The best pet insurance plans will cover wellness care, or preventative care procedures.
This would include vaccinations, health screenings and other types of routine care that should be taken care of as advised by your trusted veterinarian. Also, new kittens or puppies introduced to the family should have a visit to the vet's office for their first examination within 48 hours of bringing them into the home.
In most cases, your veterinarian will have you bring your new mammal back to the office to get booster vaccinations three to four weeks later. In addition, preventative care routines dictate that you return for annual vaccinations and booster shots for the long-term benefit of all the pets in the household.
These costs can add up to several hundreds of dollars a year, especially if there are multiple mammals in the household. Before choosing your insurance company, be sure that they offer coverage for preventative care.
Although it can be tempting to buy the cheapest pet insurance you can find, often in the long-run it is better to choose a pet insurance company that believes in the value of preventative health care for domestic and other animals. A policy that covers wellness care might cost a bit more each month, but it will ensure that you never have to worry about being able to pay for the proper care for your family pets.
Just as the human members of the family need and deserve adequate health care, so do your pets. Household animals and even livestock such as horses, cattle and exotic animals are all subject to any number of illnesses and accidents that threaten their health and longevity.
In fact, in the last decade or so there has been a significant increase in the incidence of cancer and other serious diseases in domestic mammals and other animals. Because of this, it is a wise choice to seek out pet insurance coverage.
Securing animal health cover coverage from a reputable and reliable company can be of enormous benefit to a family, especially families with many of them in the household. Such a pet plan can guarantee protection against financial hardship for a family if they are faced with large veterinary pet bills. The stress and anxiety that a family is put under if they cannot afford a life-saving procedure for their animal can be devastating.
In recent years, veterinarian care has expanded and there are more diseases and illnesses that can now be treated. With the expansion of care, there has also come an increase in associated costs, very similar to the rise in health care for humans.
The good news is that this shift has lead to more interest in animal health cover and an increase in pet insurance company coverage options that are now available. In addition, there are also more companies offering pet insurance, increasing the competition and thereby keeping the cost in check.
No matter which animal plan company you select to carry your pet insurance coverage, the reputable companies will strongly recommend that you take steps to try to prevent illness so that your animal can enjoy health and well-being to the greatest degree possible. The best pet insurance plans will cover wellness care, or preventative care procedures.
This would include vaccinations, health screenings and other types of routine care that should be taken care of as advised by your trusted veterinarian. Also, new kittens or puppies introduced to the family should have a visit to the vet's office for their first examination within 48 hours of bringing them into the home.
In most cases, your veterinarian will have you bring your new mammal back to the office to get booster vaccinations three to four weeks later. In addition, preventative care routines dictate that you return for annual vaccinations and booster shots for the long-term benefit of all the pets in the household.
These costs can add up to several hundreds of dollars a year, especially if there are multiple mammals in the household. Before choosing your insurance company, be sure that they offer coverage for preventative care.
Although it can be tempting to buy the cheapest pet insurance you can find, often in the long-run it is better to choose a pet insurance company that believes in the value of preventative health care for domestic and other animals. A policy that covers wellness care might cost a bit more each month, but it will ensure that you never have to worry about being able to pay for the proper care for your family pets.
2008年8月14日星期四
Dog Grooming - Process to Maintain a Healthy Coat
Most people wouldn't think to go a day or two without out combing their hair, let alone a week or two. Whether your dog has short or long hair, he still requires grooming to maintain a healthy, shiny coat.
It is important to comb or brush his hair, inspect his coat and bathe him as required. This will prevent his hair from tangling and becoming matted. Tangled and matted hair will be uncomfortable for your pet, and in a worse case scenario, affect his health adversely. They can create sores, making it hurt for your pet to be touched. Regular grooming will keep your pet looking good and feeling good.
In addition to preventing tangling, brushing a dog's coat is an ideal way to distribute the animal's natural oils. In doing so, it also removes loose hair, stimulates the skin, loosens dirt and dander, as well as, any other materials which may have become stuck in it. When grooming, you should also check the dog's skin for any signs of inflammation, infection, irritation or parasite infestation.
Dogs with shorter haired coats require less grooming than dogs with longer haired coats but they do require some attention. Many shorthaired dogs have a dandruff problem from frequent shedding. They require daily brushing. You should use a soft bristled brush on shorthaired dogs, or a hound glove with short wire bristles in the palm. This will remove the dead hair and dirt. Follow up with a soft cloth to wipe any remaining loose hair. If using a comb, choose a fine toothed one. Begin with the head and work your way down the dog's body to its tail and legs.
Dogs with longer hair will require more frequent grooming sessions. A short time every day to accomplish this will make the task easier. Once again, start at the head and brush or comb the direction of the dog's hair. For dogs with a thick undercoat, lift the hair and brush under the coat to remove dead hair. Wire pin or slicker brushes are ideal for longer coats, as the brush should have long firm bristles to pull the dead hair. And if using a comb after the brushing, a wide toothed comb is the better option.
As a general rule, dogs should not be bathed more than three or four times a year unless excessively dirty. More frequent bathing will remove their protective natural oils and cause a dandruff problem. Those with long silky coats may require weekly bathing. Before bathing a dog, it is important to brush its coat well to remove dead, loose hair, as well as, loosen tangles or mattes. You can use any gentle, tearless dog shampoo. If your dog has skin conditions or fleas you may need to use a special shampoo. Make sure you don't get shampoo in his eyes and to rinse thoroughly. It is important to remove all shampoo so as to not cause itching, flaking and skin problems. Then, wrap the dog in a towel and dry. You can blow dry on the lowest setting possible with the blow dryer far enough away from the dog, so it won't get burned.
Another part of the grooming process is to clip the dog's toenails. Use clippers and be careful not to cut to the quick, which is where the blood supply ends. Make sure you have some styptic powder on hand in case you do cut into the quick. This will stop the bleeding. Also, make sure you brush your dog's teeth. Use soft bristled toothbrush and dog toothpaste.
This is also a good time to inspect and clean your dog's ears. Slightly wet a cotton ball, with an ear cleaner, and wipe the folds of the skin. If you notice a foul smell or wax buildup, then you should have your veterinarian check for possible infection.
The grooming process may seem like a chore, but it can be a positive experience for both you and your pet. It is an ideal way to keep your companion healthy. The interaction that comes with this will turn this chore into an enjoyable and bonding experience for you both.
It is important to comb or brush his hair, inspect his coat and bathe him as required. This will prevent his hair from tangling and becoming matted. Tangled and matted hair will be uncomfortable for your pet, and in a worse case scenario, affect his health adversely. They can create sores, making it hurt for your pet to be touched. Regular grooming will keep your pet looking good and feeling good.
In addition to preventing tangling, brushing a dog's coat is an ideal way to distribute the animal's natural oils. In doing so, it also removes loose hair, stimulates the skin, loosens dirt and dander, as well as, any other materials which may have become stuck in it. When grooming, you should also check the dog's skin for any signs of inflammation, infection, irritation or parasite infestation.
Dogs with shorter haired coats require less grooming than dogs with longer haired coats but they do require some attention. Many shorthaired dogs have a dandruff problem from frequent shedding. They require daily brushing. You should use a soft bristled brush on shorthaired dogs, or a hound glove with short wire bristles in the palm. This will remove the dead hair and dirt. Follow up with a soft cloth to wipe any remaining loose hair. If using a comb, choose a fine toothed one. Begin with the head and work your way down the dog's body to its tail and legs.
Dogs with longer hair will require more frequent grooming sessions. A short time every day to accomplish this will make the task easier. Once again, start at the head and brush or comb the direction of the dog's hair. For dogs with a thick undercoat, lift the hair and brush under the coat to remove dead hair. Wire pin or slicker brushes are ideal for longer coats, as the brush should have long firm bristles to pull the dead hair. And if using a comb after the brushing, a wide toothed comb is the better option.
As a general rule, dogs should not be bathed more than three or four times a year unless excessively dirty. More frequent bathing will remove their protective natural oils and cause a dandruff problem. Those with long silky coats may require weekly bathing. Before bathing a dog, it is important to brush its coat well to remove dead, loose hair, as well as, loosen tangles or mattes. You can use any gentle, tearless dog shampoo. If your dog has skin conditions or fleas you may need to use a special shampoo. Make sure you don't get shampoo in his eyes and to rinse thoroughly. It is important to remove all shampoo so as to not cause itching, flaking and skin problems. Then, wrap the dog in a towel and dry. You can blow dry on the lowest setting possible with the blow dryer far enough away from the dog, so it won't get burned.
Another part of the grooming process is to clip the dog's toenails. Use clippers and be careful not to cut to the quick, which is where the blood supply ends. Make sure you have some styptic powder on hand in case you do cut into the quick. This will stop the bleeding. Also, make sure you brush your dog's teeth. Use soft bristled toothbrush and dog toothpaste.
This is also a good time to inspect and clean your dog's ears. Slightly wet a cotton ball, with an ear cleaner, and wipe the folds of the skin. If you notice a foul smell or wax buildup, then you should have your veterinarian check for possible infection.
The grooming process may seem like a chore, but it can be a positive experience for both you and your pet. It is an ideal way to keep your companion healthy. The interaction that comes with this will turn this chore into an enjoyable and bonding experience for you both.
2008年8月9日星期六
What Canine Arthritis is and how you can Help Prevent Your Dog From Getting it
Surprisingly enough to many people, it is not only we humans that can get arthritis, but rather our beloved furry friends can get it too. There is truly no cure for arthritis after it sets in, but there are certain things that we can do in order to attempt to prevent it as best we can, and this applies to our pet friends as well.
Canine Arthritis
Basically for the most part all animals can get arthritis in one form or another however one of the most common is that of canine arthritis; canine arthritis is quite simply arthritis that occurs in dogs, and it can be an incredibly sorrowful experience, as sometimes the canine arthritis can get really bad and then you have to watch your beloved pet going through pain. However if you take the proper steps, then they should be able to live an incredibly long and healthy life, free of arthritis.
For example, if you change your dog’s diet then this should help, for example you should be sure that you are providing a high-quality dog food to your dog and this means that the food should have no preservatives, food colorings, wheat, corn, or soy products, for instance, and as well, you want to find a dog food that is low fat and one which has low carbohydrates as well, if possible.
Another good idea to prevent your dog from getting canine arthritis is to provide supplements to your dog that reduces arthritic swelling and pain; for instance you can give your dog a glucosamine tablet, and this can be regularly if need be. Glucosamine is a supplement which helps the body to be able to manufacture glycosaminoglycans, which are designed to maintain proper cartilage structure.
As well, you will also want to reduce any unwanted weight in your dog if it is necessary, as extra weight on a dog will automatically put extra pressure on the dog’s joints and thus will cause more pain and swelling eventually; in order to do this, you want to start off by reducing the amount of treats that the dog receives for instance, because this will automatically decrease the fat that is in their diet overall.
As well, you want to make sure that the dog is getting an appropriate amount of exercise on a daily basis, as this – same with humans – will be a main cause to your dog being overweight.
Canine Arthritis
Basically for the most part all animals can get arthritis in one form or another however one of the most common is that of canine arthritis; canine arthritis is quite simply arthritis that occurs in dogs, and it can be an incredibly sorrowful experience, as sometimes the canine arthritis can get really bad and then you have to watch your beloved pet going through pain. However if you take the proper steps, then they should be able to live an incredibly long and healthy life, free of arthritis.
For example, if you change your dog’s diet then this should help, for example you should be sure that you are providing a high-quality dog food to your dog and this means that the food should have no preservatives, food colorings, wheat, corn, or soy products, for instance, and as well, you want to find a dog food that is low fat and one which has low carbohydrates as well, if possible.
Another good idea to prevent your dog from getting canine arthritis is to provide supplements to your dog that reduces arthritic swelling and pain; for instance you can give your dog a glucosamine tablet, and this can be regularly if need be. Glucosamine is a supplement which helps the body to be able to manufacture glycosaminoglycans, which are designed to maintain proper cartilage structure.
As well, you will also want to reduce any unwanted weight in your dog if it is necessary, as extra weight on a dog will automatically put extra pressure on the dog’s joints and thus will cause more pain and swelling eventually; in order to do this, you want to start off by reducing the amount of treats that the dog receives for instance, because this will automatically decrease the fat that is in their diet overall.
As well, you want to make sure that the dog is getting an appropriate amount of exercise on a daily basis, as this – same with humans – will be a main cause to your dog being overweight.
2008年8月3日星期日
Korats, the Good Luck Cats
The rough translation for Korat is 'Good Fortune.' Going way back into history, the earliest mention of a Korat comes in the form of a book of poems produced sometime between 1350 and 1767. Like many breeds, it has its share of folk tales and legends associated with it. One particular piece of folklore claims that if your Korat has kinks in its tale, it will bring you increased good luck. A native of Thailand, the Si-Sawat, as it is called there, is highly revered and honored, and at one time was only owned by royalty and members of the government. The Korat was slow to emigrate from its native Thailand, only reaching North America and Europe in the late 1960s. They have a particularly romantic description of the Korat, which goes as follows: "The cat has a body color like Dok Lao. The hairs are smooth, with roots like clouds and tips like silver. The eyes shine like dewdrops on the lotus leaf." In case you are wondering, Dok means flower, and Lao is an herb similar to lemongrass, with silver-tipped flowers.A gentle cat that loves to play, but abhors loud noises, probably because of its exceptional hearing capabilities, the Korat is sweet and very affectionate, making it an excellent cat to have around children. It has a keen sense of sight and smell. When you gaze upon your Korat pets, with their highly expressive faces, you could almost swear that you know exactly what is running through their minds. Korats are very observant, watching all that you do and trying to duplicate it as well. With total loyalty, love, and respect, they will have you believing, without a doubt, that they know exactly what is going through your mind. Korats will race around a mile a minute just to keep up with you and are always ready to lend a helping paw with whatever you happen to be doing. They don't necessarily want to be all over you all the time, but they do like to be involved. Curious and indeed possessive, Korats will investigate anything that comes into your home, whether it's people or things, and do not be surprised if you find that they have confiscated everything, including your friends and family. The Korat's coloring is unlike that of any other breed of cat. Silver-tipped blue, it has a shimmering effect that actually gives off an aura. The Thais call this color "rain cloud gray" topped with sea foam. They have large, luminous eyes that begin as golden-green when kittens but change to a beautiful peridot green as they reach adulthood.
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