The truth about pet store puppies is disturbing. If you’re an animal lover, the following paragraphs will be difficult to read, but simply doing just that could potentially spare a life.

It’s hard to imagine that in this country where dogs are considered valuable members of the family, have their very own telelvision and radio shows and people dress them in designer clothes and treat them like children, that a grave place called a puppy mill could still exist.

A puppy mill or puppy farm is a breeding operation with the sole purpose of making money. The animals are not screened for potential genetic health defects or even given basic medical care. There is definitely no attention paid to producing dogs that comform to breed standard for size or temperament.

A puppy mill can be a sign along the road advertising puppies, an ad in your local newspaper or they can even have a nice website, but they are almost always behind those cute puppies you’ve seen in pet shop windows.

You’d never know by looking at those puppies the deplorable conditions from which they came. You’ll see how excited they get when you approach their cage. You might even slip your hand through the bars despite the posted warning not to and entertain the thought of bringing home the one who seemed most eager, but it’s what you won’t see that would leave you gasping.

For that puppy’s mother, life (if you can call it that) is a desperate struggle. Her body is used up from years of overbreeding and because of this, she will probably never see her sixth birthday. She has never been shown love or compassion and probably has no idea what it would feel like to run in the grass.

Her life is not like that of a normal dog at all. She only exists for the purpose of breeding and has lived her entire life in the same small cage where she eats and sleeps and where she’s probably given birth to several litters.

But that doesn’t matter to the owner of the puppy mill. He only sees dollar signs when he looks into her dark, sad eyes. In another six months he’ll breed her once again for the sake of filling his wallet and the puppies will be shipped around the country to various pet stores and puppy brokers and the morbid cycle will continue.

When she’s no longer able to breed, she’ll finally be put her out of her misery- if she’s lucky enough. The sad truth is that she will probably still be worth a few dollars to a testing facility: A laboratory that uses dogs for the sake of testing new products.

There is no hope of ever stopping this morbid cycle of abuse as long as we keep buying puppies from pet stores.

Don’t be fooled by AKC papers. Although the AKC doesn’t condone puppy mills, almost anyone can register a new litter providing both parents are registered purebreds.

Please help put an end to this torture. Join the fight to eliminate puppy mills by refusing to purchase a puppy from anyone other than a reputable breeder. There are also millions of animals around the world in need of adoption. You might be surprised to know that one in four dogs rescued by the ASPCA, Humane Society and similar shelters is a purebred.

Please refer this article to a fellow animal lover or anyone who might someday be in the market for a purebred puppy.

My name is Brooke Faulder. I’ve made it my business, my passion and my mission in life to put an end to the exploitation of animals. Learn more about the plight of small breed dogs by reading through the pages of http://www.small-breed-dogs.com.

Remember, your Veterinarians primary goal is to help you and your dog. If you do not honestly believe this to be the Doctors goal, time to find another Veterinarian for your dog! This guide will assist in that search.

Is The Veterinarian A Member Of Any Professional Organization?

I always seek out the “AAHA” logo. When you enter the office do you see one? AAHA is the abbreviated version for American Animal Hospital Association. Only those adhering to stringent voluntary requirements and inspections are allowed to display the AAHA logo. Veterinarians who are serious about quality service invest the necessary money and energy to pass. Only 15 percent of animal hospitals qualify. If you see this logo you’ve found quality.

Logo Visible ___ yes ___ no.

Any other Organizations or Club involvement? ___ yes ___ no.

If yes explain ___________________________________________________

Get Free Second Opinions

Consider a practice with at least three Veterinarians. Why?

Anything that is not clear-cut warrants a consultation at a good hospital. Receive one opinion, get two second opinions for free.

Three or more Veterinarians available? ___ yes ___no.

1) Doctor’s Name

__________________________________

Contact Number

Day’s (___)___-____

Evening’s (___)___-____

2) Doctor’s Name

__________________________________

Contact Number

Day’s (___)___-____

Evening’s (___)___-____

3) Doctor’s Name

__________________________________

Contact Number

Day’s (___)___-____

Evening’s (___)___-____

Choose A Clinic With Accessability

Love those “By appointment only” signs. This is a red flag!

Ok be considerate: When a problem crops up, and you need to take your pet in right away, better to call ahead. But your pet should have the opportunity to be seen when a problem arises.

Keep these following points in mind while observing the Veterinarian’s practice.

Make sure the Veterinarians you have chosen has experience with you specific dog!

Make sure you have confidence in her and trust that you can ask her questions freely.

Document all medical information and keep it safely hidden as some healthy dogs can live up to 16 years and within that time you may change location or Veterinarians they will need this information to continue quality service.

Always Demand The Best For Your Dog.

Services you want. Look for a broad range of services such as cancer treatment, dental care, illness, and injury. Hell see if they offer behavior management too, your Chihuahua can benefit from full service operations. Try to find most of what you may need under one roof.

Save The Location And Contact Information Of Your Veterinarian.

Location ________________________________________________

Contact Information

Phone (___)___-____

Fax (___)___-____

Hours of operation

Open ____ a.m.

Lunch ____ a.m/p.m.

Close ____ p.m.

Location ________________________________________________

Contact Information

Phone (___)___-____

Fax (___)___-____

Hours of operation

Open ____ a.m.

Lunch ____ a.m/p.m.

Close ____ p.m.

Christopher D Herron and his notepad are huge fans of dogs and has taken it to the next level by sharing his hands on research with other so that they too can have healthy and active relationships with thier dog. Visit Christopher and his notepad at http://thegrazingcanine.blogspot.com/. Enjoy.

Pomeranians first became popular in England in the late 19th century thanks to Queen Victoria who took a great liking to the breed. However, Poms were actually developed from sled dogs in the once Prussian region of Pomerania, where the breed received their name.

The Pomeranian is full of energy and is incredibly clever. He loves to learn and work which makes him an easy dog to train. In fact, his

supreme intelligence has also made the Pom a frequent show dog champion. One of his greatest joys is barking, which has made him an ideal watchdog. Unfortunately, Poms like to yap on a regular basis, which can become annoying. For this reason, many owners take great care to teach their dog’s when it is acceptable to bark.

Poms are very proud and courageous. Even though they love to be with their owners, they are very independent. Their independent, bold and often willful nature is why the Pomeranian requires obedience training. He must know that his owner is in charge or the Pom will take charge and attempt to boss his family around. Like many of the Toy breeds, Pomeranians seem oblivious to their size.

Pomeranians can be a very temperamental breed and only accept other family pets if they have been raised with them as a puppy. Poms will not tolerate teasing and are much happier with older children than they are with younger kids. Furthermore, younger children may handle the Pomeranian roughly and unintentionally hurt the dog.

Keep in mind, the Pomeranian is a Toy dog so it is very small weighing only 3 - 7 pounds and at its highest stands only at 11 inches. Thus, it is more fragile than larger dog breeds, and it won’t hesitate to defend itself if it feels threatened.

Due to the fact that Poms are so small, they make ideal apartment dogs and are perfect city companions. They are exceptionally active indoors and only require short walks. This also makes them an excellent companion for seniors.

On average, a Pomeranian is a healthy dog and will live anywhere from 12 - 16 years. They are not prone to any major health defects, but the common issues that seem to affect this breed include early tooth loss, eye infections and skin and heart problems.

A Pomeranian is a fantastic and devoted companion. He travels well and likes to keep busy. His love is unconditional and he will return it ten fold to anyone who shares their love with him.

Richard Cussons cares about all dogs and the Pomeranian dog is no exception. You can find out more about Pomeranians at http://www.pomeraniansavvy.com/.

Surveys done over the last several years show that there are 7 million horses in the United States today. And according to American Horse Council figures, the horse industry supports more than 1.4 million full-time jobs. There are a variety of careers in the horse industry, from hands-on jobs like large-animal veterinarian to jobs that support the industry, like feed and supplement distributor. There are jobs in breeding, showing, health, education, product manufacturing, research, recreation, and service industries to name just a few that come to mind. And one of these areas is most likely just right for you!

So, how do you find a job in the horse industry that is right for you? Well, before you start randomly sending out resumes to every horse-related employer you know of, you need to spend some time considering the type of career you want. In many cases, you’ll have to come up with a plan that will lead you to that career. As wonderful as it is that you want to be a large animal veterinary technician, no one is going to hire you without the right credentials. In other words, like most worthwhile pursuits in life, you are going to have to spend a little time and effort to reach your goals.

So, are you ready? Answer these few simple questions and you’ll be on your way to finding an equine career that is right for you:

* What do I want out of a horse career? Do you want daily contact with horses, or are you interested in working in a supporting field without daily contact? There are pros and cons to both. A supporting role may offer you a higher income, regular hours, more job stability, and better benefits, but a hands-on career gives you flexibility and the ability to work around your favorite animals every day. What is more important to you? Think very seriously about your own interests, abilities, and personality. It won’t hurt to spend a few minutes writing down why you want to work with horses.

* What experience and education do I currently have? There is no teacher like experience, but is it more important than education in the horse industry? That depends on the job. For those seeking skilled hands-on positions like trainers, barn managers, and riding instructors, the more time you’ve spent around horses the better. Other choices, such as equine vet, writer, public relations expert, or lawyer require a college education and additional training.

* What experience and education am I willing to get to achieve my career goals? If you require experience and education to break into a career in the horse industry, you need to have a good understanding of how much time and money it is going to cost to reach your goals. Do you have the time and money to spare, and are you willing to do so?

* What income do I need? Most people work in the horse industry because their love of horses supercedes their love of money. Many hands-on jobs provide minimal pay and benefits just for the pleasure of being around horses. Salaries improve with higher-level hands on jobs, and support jobs often pay the most and offer the best benefits. Before you make a commitment to a career, know how much money you need to live. Then do some research to find out if your career can realistically support you.

* Where should I enter the industry in order to have a good chance of meeting my goal? Whatever career track you are pursuing, enter the industry in a job that you can handle with your present skills and experience. Getting in over your head may not only prevent you from advancing, it is dangerous! Once you’ve figured out your entry level, you can work your way up as you gain experience.

Ron Petracek is the founder of Equine Internets vast 15 site classified and social network. You can view its amazing size here Http://www.equineinternet.com/network.php or to further your equine habit please visit our forum by clicking here http://www.horsechitchat.com/equineforums and start posting Need to sell a horse or tack? place a free ad here http://www.click4equine.com and always the barn door in left open on purpose.

Experience is one of the most important things to consider in choosing the right pet sitter for your pet since this will be your assurance that your pet is well taken care of while you are away. It is also best for you to choose a pet sitter who is insured because this will protect you should an accident occur while you are away from home. However, experience is not only the guarantee for you not to worry about leaving your dog with a pet sitter. You should always check references and do as much of a background check as possible before you hire because you are not only entrusting your pet to the sitter, but also your home and personal belongings.

Leaving your dogs with a stranger is a big step and requires some thinking and checking into the pet sitter’s background. It is not easy to trust people especially if you are going to leave them with your valuables and the pet you dearly love. Make sure you do as much of a background check as possible and always check references. Ask the former clients they listed as a reference about their personality and overall performance since they already have experience with their services. Don’t be afraid to ask for an appointment with the pet sitter before you entrust your pet to her. This is a great way for you to get to know the pet sitter you are looking to hire. Once you feel like that the pet sitter can be trusted, ask her how she is going to go about carrying for your dog.

The purpose of you getting a pet sitter is for your pet to have somebody to look after her when you are away. The pet sitter’s main tasks are to provide your pet with fresh water, food and plenty of attention, playtime and outdoor time. She may also turn lights on and off, collect mail and take out the trash for you if make arrangements for them to do so. Most importantly, she should be able to assure you of the safety of your dog while you are away. Make sure you discuss everything you expect of your pet sitter to avoid misunderstandings.

The number of visits of your pet sitter to your pet will depend on the kind of pet you have. If you have a dog, pet sitters usually suggest two visits per day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. For healthy cats one visit per day will do. Still these will be open to changes depending on your arrangement with your pet sitter. You should not forget to leave a contact number of the place where you are going to stay in order for your pet sitter to reach if ever there are emergencies that will arise. Lastly, inform your pet sitter of some special care you have for your pet before you leave your pet to your pet sitter.

Entrusting your pet to your pet sitter or any body else for that matter entails risk. However, be sure you take into consideration the experience, insurance, trustworthiness and personal care before hiring a pet sitter in order to minimize risk. If you do not want to entrust your pet to a personal sitter, then you may want to consider a secure boarding environment. Today’s boarding facilities offer a much improved, more securely regulated environment than before.

Find amazing savings and tons of pet information at http://www.pet-super-store.com.

Emperor Penguins live in the coldest region of any other penguin on earth. They not only survive, but reproduce and thrive where other penguins cannot. Adult Emperor Penguins travel about sixty miles into Antarctica for breeding season. Although cold temperatures are a threat to the survival of other penguins and their eggs, the Emperor Penguin has characteristics that allow them to keep warm, notwithstanding below freezing temperatures and high winds.

After searching for a mate, the female lays a single egg in the months of May or June. After laying the egg, the female will carefully pass the egg to the male to incubate until it hatches. This process is carefully executed so the egg does not have any contact with the ice where it would immediately die voiding the couple’s attempt at reproduction that year. When the male successfully receives the egg he incubates it above his feet in a flap of skin called a brood pouch. In order to stay warm in the extreme temperatures, Emperor Penguins form large groups and huddle together. They instinctively know when to move from the center of this huddle toward the outer edges to give each penguin the warmth of the middle. This process allows for them to survive the brutal temperatures in the Antarctic.

After the male has the egg, the female is free to travel to get food. She returns after about two months. After her arrival she is able to regurgitate the food for the young chick when it hatches. If the chick is born before the female returns, the male is able to produce a milky substance from his esophagus to keep his young alive. When the female returns to care for her young, the male is then free to go in search of food.

While it may seem unnatural for a species to reproduce in such extreme weather conditions, in actuality winter is the ideal season for reproduction because there is less competition for food. Emperor Penguin chicks are larger than other penguin species and an adequate diet is essential for their survival. Only in the harsh days of winter is there enough food for them. Emperor Penguins diet consists mainly of cephlapods, such as octopus and squid, but they also eat krill and fish. Their threat for survival is not only freezing in the cold temperatures, but also natural predators such as sea lions, Orca Whales and sharks. Although global warming has raised concerns for Emperor Penguins, there is thought to be an estimated 350,000 of them in the world.

Survival in Antarctica seems impossible, yet the Emperor Penguin continues to thrive in these freezing temperatures. Their physical characteristics, instincts and socialization allow for them to continue to reproduce and thrive in a climate that would otherwise be deadly.

Emma Snow has always adored wild animals. Emma provides content for Wildlife Animals http://www.wildlife-animals.com and Riding Stable http://www.riding-stable.com.

A Good Citizen

Though the requirements for therapy dog training vary from state to state, it is almost universal that the dog must be certified as a canine good citizen. In order to receive that, you have to train your dog to be focused and well behaved around distractions. Generally your local animal shelter or even a therapy dog training center will have classes available for you to learn how to turn your dog into a canine good citizen.

Classes for Therapy

Therapy dog training can start as soon as your dog has been certified as a canine good citizen. The training consists mainly of teaching your dog how to ignore things like hospital equipment and school noises that he or she may not be used to being around. They also train the dog to help with simple activities and therapy with those who need it. However, in many cases, the therapy is really just the presence of the dog. Those using the services of dogs trained in how to perform the therapy can be anything from walking them, to reading to them, to simply being around them.

Where to Go

If you are interested in therapy dog training for your four legged pal, then you should check out the internet or your local yellow pages. Whether you live in Virginia, California, or anywhere else, there is an organization in your area that will help you not only teach your dog how to become a therapy dog, but also get him out in the community and doing his part. Additionally, you can volunteer to help with everything from training to the therapy itself. Just get in contact with your local organization.

Therapy dog training can be incredibly rewarding. When you teach your dog how to react to the situations with which he will be presented, you are putting him in a situation to be more than just a pet. You and your dog together can be real additions to the community and help your fellow man.

Dean Iggo is the webmaster of http://www.dogtrainingadvisor.com providing tips and advice on dog obedience training at home, including obedience, potty training and more.

Some airlines will let your pet ride in the cabin with you for a $50 one-way fee, but it must be small enough to fit in a crate that will then fit under the seat in front of you, and your pet will count as one piece of your carry-on luggage.

And just like children, pets DO get carsick! If you are planning a long trip with your pet and he isn’t used to traveling in the car much, you might want to take him out for a bunch of rides - gradually lengthening the trip each time. Also putting the animal toward the front of the vehicle will sometimes help with a dog that does get carsick (less motion than at the back).

How many times have you driven down the street to see a car go by you that has a dog hanging out the window? Or sitting in the driver’s lap? Not only is this a probable accident waiting to happen, but the dog’s head and eyes are in danger of being injured by debris. It is always a good idea to restrain your dog when he is traveling in the car with you - either with a harness or in a crate. If you use a harness, you might consider covering the seat with a seat cover or an old blanket that you can take out and wash.

And last but not least, under no circumstances EVER leave your pet in the hot sun in the car (even with the windows down). It is akin to putting them into a 120? oven!! Have fun with your pet and enjoy your summer.

Written by Linda Bonney, owner of many dogs for the past 30+ years. My kids and I have loved pets (especially dogs) forever. Just make sure you have good dog leashes and a snappy pet t shirt to wear while traveling with your favorite pet. Visit me at http://www.bestanimallovers.com.

What do you do? What can you do?

In the first scenario, described above, where the bicyclist is being chased by a dog, you would probably start peddling faster while simultaneously kicking out at the dog in an attempt to both outrun the dog and prevent it from biting you. The second scenario has you walking down the street when you spot a large, unattended dog a few houses away. Lot’s of people go for walks carrying a base- ball bat or large stick to protect themselves just in case the dog turns out to be, shall we say, unfriendly. First, carrying a baseball bat or a large stick can be cumbersome and get heavy after awhile. Second, you have to be prepared to beat the dog (not an easy thing to do). Imagine how you will feel afterwards. So, instead, you’ll probably just turn around and walk back rather than take a chance. The last scenerio as described above, has you walking your small dog on a leash, when your confronted by a larger, strange dog. Most likely, you will pick up your beloved pet, hold it close to you and then just hope for the best. Trying to run away almost never works.

Let’s look at some other options. One is to keep the dog from coming near you in the first place. You can accomplish this with an electronic animal repellant. Using ultrasonic technology, the devise produces a discomforting but not harmful high frequency sound, audible to dogs but not to humans. One such device is the Ultrasonic Dog Chaser. It’s small and lightweight. It measures 3 & 3/4 inches by 2 & 3/16 inches by 7/8 inches. That’s roughly the size of a deck of cards. Weighing in at just 3.5 ounces with the 9-volt battery, it’s quite compact. It has a frequency range between 20,000Hz - 25,000Hz. At 135dbs, it has an effective range up to 20 feet. The device is easy to use, too. Point the animal repeller at the dog and press the button. That’s all there is to it. It’s also safe and humane. The electronic animal repeller is not the repeller of choice however, if your walking your dog.

A second option is to whip out your trusty dog repellent spray. Mace makes a safe, humane and effective dog repellent spray that’s EPA approved. It sprays 8-10 feet, but don’t spray it into the wind as the results could prove to be dis- astrous. Here’s how it works. When sprayed with a pepper spray dog repellent spray, most dogs throw themselves on the ground rubbing their eyes. The painful burning effects of the spray typically wear off within a few minutes, leaving the dog healthy and unharmed. Choose dog repellent sprays with pepper spray, also known as OC (oleoresin capsicum) spray, as it’s ingredient. Other sprays may not work on dogs that don’t respond to pain. It’s totally non-toxic.

Another option is the stun baton. A favorite among security guards, it is very effective on dogs. Just touch the dog on it’s face. It will drop to it’s knees, turn and run. Normally, however, the clicking sounds the baton makes when turned on is enough to deter the dog. Stun batons come in different lengths ranging from 300,000 volts to 500,000 volts. A stun baton is a stun gun placed into a baton. Stun guns use high voltage and low amperage to temporarily disable an attacker. It does not rely on pain for results. The energy stored in the gun is dumped into the attackers blood sugar by converting it to lactic acid. Unable to produce energy for the muscles, the body is unable to function properly. The stun gun also interrupts the tiny neurological impulses that control muscle move- ment, causing the attacker to lose their balance. All this happens very rapidly. Should the attacker be touching you, the current will not pass to your body. Of course, as a last resort, you can use the baton as a stick or baseball ball to hit the dog with.

So go ahead and take that walk down the street, or pull out your bike and ride around the block again. There’s no need to be afraid of those stray dogs any more. Have FUN!

You can find these devices in some stores and on most internet sites selling self protection products.

Janice Strickland is the Director of Marketing for PROTECH #1. PROTECH #1 carries a complete line of personal protection products. For more information and products, please visit http://www.protechtasers.com.

Stages of growth

Puppies chew when they are teething. This usually occurs sometime before the six-month stage, depending on the specific breed of dog. Some of the larger breeds may continue chewing past the six-month stage and some breeds are just known for chewing behaviors. Regardless of the breed up to six months will be problematic for most puppies. There are several steps that owners can take to minimize the damage that may occur with chewing behaviors:

? Puppy proof your home. This means removing all hanging wires, electrical cords, curtain pulls and other dangling objects. Hanging plants that touch the ground can also be temping to chew on and can also be poisonous.

? Keep chewable items in drawers or out of the puppies reach. For example, toys, shoes, remote controls, books, backpacks and briefcases, telephones and even laptop computers need to put away or kept on tables or desks well out of the puppies reach.

? Provide a wide variety of chew toys while you are gone. This means different shapes and sizes. Thick pieces of cotton rope with knots in the ends are great for chewing on. Heavy rubber balls or Nylabone chew toys are safe and virtually indestructible.

? Freezing dog teething rings and leaving them in the crate or doggy area of the house provide relieve to the gums and entertainment as well.

If you notice the puppy chewing something that is not correct don’t punish them. Simply say “No” and substitute what you want them to chew on. Praise them when they are chewing on the right things. Make sure you say something like “Good boy/girl for chewing on your ball (rope, toy, stick)”. This helps the puppy learn the word for what he is chewing on. Later you will be able to say, “Get the ball/stick/rope” and the puppy will know what you mean.

Toys to avoid

Some toys, even those sold in pet stores, should never be used with a puppy. Toys that are flimsy or have many parts that can be chewed off pose choking hazards. Toys that have long strings or ropes that could become wrapped around the puppy’s neck are potentially deadly toys.

Stuffed animals are appropriate for some older puppies and dogs but for younger puppies that are chewing constantly the stuffed toy will quickly be shredded. This leaves parts of cloth and the stuffing material that can be swallowed leading to gastrointestinal blockages and possible choking issues.

Natural bones, even raw bones, are not generally advised for puppies. They are usually too hard for the puppy teeth and lead to splintering and breakage of the existing teeth. In addition the puppies will be more likely to try to swallow any splinters and this can result in the bone splinters becoming lodged in the gums or the throat. If you do wish to allow your puppy to chew on bones be sure they are raw beef bones that are from a joint. Never allow your dog to eat pork bones and also never allow raw or cooked poultry bones of any kind. Supervise the puppy while he is chewing the bone and remove it at any sign of splintering or when the bone becomes small enough that the puppy might try to swallow it.

The chewing phase in puppies, like the teething phase in children, will pass. By taking a few precautions with your household items, supplying lots of alternative chewing toys and teaching your puppy what to chew on the stage will pass without any problems now or in the future.

Kelly Marshall is a popular contributor at http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com - where you can find dog beds, dog steps, pet ramps, and more unique dog gear that you’ll never find at your local pet store.