My Cocker Spaniel

Heat Intolerance in Short Muzzled Dogs

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 10:28:00 -0400

You may have heard recent reports that short nosed dogs are more likely to die in airports. Why? First, air travel for pets may be hazardous in itself. Approximately 5,000 animals are lost, injured or die each year because of dangerous conditions in aircraft cargo holds. Many cargo holds lack climate controls exposing pets to dangerously high temperatures. Dogs cool themselves by panting however extremely high temperatures can overcome this self preservation mechanism. Short nosed dogs are at even greater risk in these conditions because of their physical characteristics and here's why.

Think of your dog's nose as your car's radiator. When your car's engine begins to overheat it circulates this heat into the radiator where it escapes. Your dog's

Owning pets for all the wrong reasons

Mon, 17 May 2010 04:21:00 -0400

The disgrace of our homeless and neglected pet situation has to do with our reasons for wanting one. What�s your reason for wanting a pet? Hopefully, you want an addition to your family. Maybe you're looking for a trusted companion. Sadly, most people don't give much thought to wanting a pet. Wanting to appease a whiny child is not the right reason for wanting a pet. A puppy's bond with its first owner is crucial and determines it fate. There's a reason nature has made puppies and babies so irresistibly cute. It's actually a survival mechanism. The behavior and appearance of puppies and babies bring about our instinctual need to care for them. I'm sure most of you will agree there's no stronger bond than that between a mother and child. If a puppy isn't able to form a strong family

Quantifying the Human-Animal Bond

Mon, 17 May 2010 04:13:00 -0400

Author: Beckykimes

Copyright (c) 2009 Rebecca Kimes

The relationship between humans and animals is as complex and diverse as the Earth herself. Animals have long shared a deep and meaningful bond with humankind from being a food source to serving as a trusted friend and Soul companion.

According to a Gallup lifestyle poll 6 out of every 10 Americans share their lives and home with some kind of animal companion and it is estimated that Americans spend over 36 billion dollars per year on pet care.

The reasons for having an animal companion vary widely. Some people love animals for their