Build A Better Mousetrap, And People Will Buy It

This is an old saying that many of us have grown up hearing since we were children, but the problem is improving on an invention that has been around for years. This is especially true for simple inventions like the common pet identification tag, or dog tag as it is normally referred too as. The pet identification tag has been a staple of our society for hundreds of years as a way to identify the owners of a particular lost pet, but it was not until World War I that the pet tag became famous and picked up its moniker as the “dog tag.”

The idea was simple, it was a piece of metal worn around the collar to identify the owner of the pet, and this tag usually contained the pets name, and owners contact information. During that time it was all a pet owner needed if their pet was lost, because generally they worked for one company for forty years, brought their home and lived there for about the same amount of time, so there was no need to change the contact information. Today it is completely different with the average stay on the job lasting about five years, and the turnaround time in the average house lasting only five to seven years. Because of this, the average pet owner will have to purchase a new pet tag almost every three years to update contact information, and this brings us back to improving on that mousetrap.

With pet owners constantly on the move in an ever upwardly mobile society changing addresses and phone numbers, purchasing a new pet tag every couple of years has become a waste of time and money, because there is a service that allows the pet owner to purchase only one pet identification tag, and update their contact information free for the life of the pet. This company also links that pet tag to their contact page on its website, so if the pet is ever lost, no matter who finds it they will have up to ten ways to contact the owner to return the lost pet. This owner locating service is internet based, so it is accessible around the world to anyone that has access to the internet, this makes it especially valuable for those who travel with their pets.

The company that has, if not built, improved on that old mousetrap is RecoveryPets.Com, and they specialize in the global recovery of lost pets for those registered with their service. This company has taken the pet tag and linked it with their website to provide a service that out exceeds the original purpose of the pet tag. They provide for their registered pet owners a webpage that contains the pets name, a complete description, a photograph, and up to ten contact phone numbers or email addresses.

RecoveryPets.Com has a mission to help pet owners feel more secure that if their pet is ever lost, the person that finds them will be able to return them to the owners. The company is also working with various agencies to get the word out about their services in an effort to have these agencies have a one-stop location to identify lost pets for possible reunification with their owners. They will work with animal shelters and rescue agencies in any geographical location to set up services and distribute information about their services, all the agency has to do is contact them by email at partners@recoverypets.com for more information.

Now that the common mousetrap has been greatly improved, and their is a service that offers pet owners the ability to register once for a service that provides all the benefits that RecoverPets.Com provides, it is time to take the steps needed to ensure that our family pets will be returned if they should ever become lost. To get more information on the services provided by this company, all a pet owner has to do is log-on to their website at: http://www.recoverypets.com.

Thaddeus Collins is the owner of RecoveryPets.Com and they specialize in the global recovery of lost pets using a unique tracking number. For more information visit http://www.recoverypets.com

Healthy Diet for Your Parrot

Is your bird a seed only eater? Did you know in that wild seeds form only a small portion of the natural diet? While seeds are an important part of a pet parrot’s daily diet they should not comprise all of it.

Parrots are opportunistic omnivores, which in plain English means they eat whatever they encounter in their day (“opportunistic”) and, like us, eat from all the food groups â€" veggies & fruits, grain, and animal protein (“omnivores”).

The seed based diets that have traditionally been fed to pet birds are not representative of that parrots eat in the wild. Little is actually known about exactly what comprises their daily diet, but their natural diet does include a variety of things like seeds, nuts, fruits, shoots, buds, corms, and invertebrates (insects, worms, and larvae). Wild parrots have even been observed eating dead fish that wash up from lakes and streams. Because some of the plant material they eat also contains toxins, parrots in South America flock to natural mineral beds regularly to feed on the clay and minerals available in order to detoxify their systems.

We do know that a seed only diet generally cuts your pet’s potential lifespan in half, as well as leading to deficiencies in vitamins, especially vitamin A, minerals, especially calcium and protein. They also tend to be too high in fat.

While formulated diets (aka pellets) are now becoming widely used, they also do not comprise a complete diet and can lead to health problems if used exclusively, especially with the kidneys and liver. Formulated diets were originally based on research done in the poultry industry, where the focus is on rapid growth and maximum size, not longevity. While they’ve come a long way, and like seeds, form an important part of a complete diet, they can not do it alone. What’s important for your bird’s health and happiness is variety, balance, and moderation. Veggies, whole grains, and some fruit should form the basis of a well fed bird’s daily diet.

A parrot’s “job” in the wild is to spend the day searching for food, then working to access it. Nuts are a prime example, as getting to the nut meat involves removing not only the hard shell, but the fibrous outer husk as well. It’s important to give your pet a “job” and make her have to work a little for her goodies as well. Having to peel veggies and open nuts helps offset boredom. (Just be sure the veggies are organic and not contaminated with pesticides.)

Patience, creativity and common sense will work wonders in improving your parrot’s diet and overall health. The rewards are well worth the effort, resulting in a well feathered, bright-eyed, playful companion who can share your life for as long as possible.

Your Parrot Place
Marilu Anderson, Bird Nutrition and Behavior Consultant, (503) 771-BIRD. Marilu is a regular contributor to the Your Parrot Place Newsletter. YourParrotPlace.com - Only the Best for Your Parrot!

Free eBooks!
140 pages! A compilation of parrot articles from 2000-2004.
http://www.yourparrotplace.com/ebooks/free_ebooks.htm

How To Get Your Pet To Strike The Pose: Tips For Photographing Your Pet

If you have ever tried to take a picture of your dog, you will realize how hard it is to capture the pups full personality and beauty in a photograph. Dogs aren’t human, and they don’t understand what we are doing when we try to take their photo. They may think that the camera is a toy and charge at you, instead of striking a pose. If you follow these tips, and take your cues from your pet, you can be assured of great photos of your pet. Pets come in all colors. If your dog is dark, you will need to make sure that he doesn’t get lost in your photo due to a dark background. Dark animals photograph best with light colored or neutral back grounds. You can use white, grey, or creamy beige backdrops. You should never take a photo of a Black Lab, or a German Shepard, against a dark background. It conceals the true color of your dog, and the dark background can also conceal the true size, shape and proportions of your pet. The same rules apply with pets that have light coats. If you have an apricot or white puppy, you would not place her in front of a white wall for a picture. Photographs of animals need to capture the color and texture of their coats. If you have a white toy poodle, you would want to place her on, or in front of, a black, blue or brown backdrop. This will assure that the poodle’s springy white curls are the focus of the picture. It is important that you choose a background that compliments your dog, and doesn’t hide its beauty. The hardest thing to do is to get your pet to sit still for a photo. The best time to arrange a photo session with your pet is when they are tired, or sleepy. One trick is to lay the correct color of sheet or blanket over your couch or chair. Allow your pet to lie there after he has had a good half hour of vigorous play. Once your dog appears to start dozing off, get its attention by a low whistle, a squeak from a squeaky toy, or the sight of a treat. The animal will perk up immediately and appear to be wide awake. It is important that you are ready to snap the shots immediately. For a larger dog you can drape its bed with the correct color of sheet or blanket. It is also best to take your pet’s picture when they are well fed. That way they are not distracted by wanting food while they are modeling for you. The treats you hold up will be more a curiosity item to them, instead of a hopeful dinner. In professional animal pictures, usually the full body of the animal is shown. This allows the viewer to get a general idea of the size and proportions of the animal. It also will allow the viewer to get an idea of the animal’s general health and appearance. You wouldn’t want to have just a head shot of your pet if it had unique colorings that made it cute. Some animals appear to be wearing little white socks on their paws, or the ends of their tails may appear to have been dipped in a paint bucket. Be sure that your picture captures all of the unique things about your entire dog. However, if your dog just has an irresistible face, you can take head shots. Some pets will appear to smile when they are very happy. Nothing says “love me” like an innocent puppy face. You need to be conscious of the background. Even if the color is right, if it’s cluttered it will be distracting and take away from the pet. It is also important to make sure that your pet is in the center of the shot, and that it is not cropped off just before the tip of the ears, or tail. When you are taking photos of your pets, it is important that you are at least at the animals eye level, or below. This gives the picture the sense of being from the dog’s viewpoint. You can accomplish this by elevating your dog to a higher position, like the stair case, or furniture. Or, you can lay on your stomach to achieve the same results. You need to zoom in as close as possible, while still capturing the entire body of your dog. You can edit out any red eye, later. It is best to use a digital camera when you are photographing animals. With digital cameras you are not out any extra money for the photos that didn’t take because Spot looked away. With a digital camera you are free to take as many pictures of your animal as you like, so snap away. You can choose the best ones later, and delete the rest. You have more freedom with a digital camera. You are not constrained to just a set number of pictures, and you do not have to sit and wonder if they worked while they are getting developed. If you plan to take pictures of your pet outside, it is best to do this early in the morning, or late in the evening. The natural lighting is better for photographs during these periods of the day. You still need to keep in mind the color choices of your background. You can take a picture of your black puppy sitting on a white patio, or in front of your home if you have light colored siding, or brick. You can take a picture of your white dog in a flower bed that has black mulch, or sitting in front of a dark brick wall. Most animals can obey the command of sitting. Some animals will even sit if they have a leash on, even if it is not being held. Outdoor, natural lighting works the best when you want to show the texture of your animal’s coat. The expression of your dog is one of the most important things you need to keep in mind when you are photographing your animal. If your animal is ill, or having a bad day, you may want to reschedule your photo session to a later time. A wet and moist looking nose is a must in all pet photos. If your pet is feeling unwell, they probably aren’t up for their photo being taken. If your breed of pet should have perky ears, and they are laying down because the pet is not as cheery as usual, you should postpone your picture taking, as well. You should never take a picture of your pet if they have runny eyes due to an infection. Wait until your pet is doctored and feeling more like their cheery, upbeat self. You can take action shots of your pet. Does your pet like to catch frisbee’s or herd sheep? To capture your pet in action you must learn what photographers term “panning.” The key to panning is to follow along with your pet as they are moving. You need to click away capturing them throughout their activity. You can choose a film that is made for action shots to get good results. You know your pet and what excites them. Does your pet like to stand on two feet and beg for a certain toy, or treat? If so, then get someone to assist you during this photo. They can interact with the dog while you snap the pictures. These shots are great ways of showing the personality of your dog. Does your dog like to tilt its head when it hears a certain noise? Then be ready to capture their photo while your assistant provides the noise. Does your dog like to hide in the shrubs, or get playful with a ball? You can also capture these types of photos if you are tuned in and ready with your camera. Photographs are a great way of preserving the beauty and personality of an animal. Just keep in mind back ground color, and try to photograph your pet for still shots when they are well fed and somewhat sleepy. If you photograph outside, try to arrange your photo time in the morning or late evening hours, and don’t take their pictures directly facing the sun. Make sure your pet is feeling physically well so that their personality can be captured, and if you use a digital camera you won’t have to worry about wasting film. If you take action shots, practice the panning technique. If your pet performs tricks, enlist the aid of a helper and photograph your animal performing. Photographs will be around forever, and if you do them correctly they can reveal a lot about your pet. Take your cues from your animal and you will have wonderful photographs every time.

Dog Grooming - Brushing and Bathing

Dog grooming is the basis for preventive health care for your dog and puppy. It gives you a chance to see small changes in and on your dog's body that could lead to health concerns such as a lump or problems in his ears or with his teeth. Dog grooming can be a time of further bonding with your dog. This is some serious one on one time when he gets loads of your attention. So what do you do and when do you start grooming your dog and puppy? As with most things with your puppy, you need to introduce him to dog grooming slowly and help him be comfortable with it. Start with short sessions of about five minutes and work up to the whole routine as he adjusts. Begin with brushing and combing. There are several different grooming tools used for brushing and which you use depends upon the breed of your dog and the type of coat he has. Ask the breeder you got your puppy from for the proper techniques. Brushing should be done before you bathe your dog or puppy. Bathing your puppy should begin when he is about 14 weeks old or sooner if he is a very dirty dog. Most dogs should need bathing only once a month unless he gets dirty. Wherever you decide to bathe your dog, bathtub, sink or some type of tub, place a rubber mat within to give him something secure to stand on so he won't slip around. Soak down his body but not his face. Keep water out of his ears. You may wish to block his ear canals with cotton balls to prevent the water from getting into his ears. Lather up your wet dog with a dog shampoo. Rinse well. Any leftover shampoo in his coat is likely to cause dryness or skin irritation. Wipe his face off with a damp cloth. Squeeze off the excess water and then towel dry your dog. Complete the drying process with either a hair dryer set on warm, not hot, or by leaving him in a warm room until dry. Be aware that a dog will shake just as soon as you release him. This is why some people want to run their dog outside quickly after a bath on a leash to prevent him from rolling and getting dirty again. If this is not an option, such as in winter, you may wish to consider a professional groomer. A professional groomer may be a consideration for some of the more difficult haircuts and dog grooming considerations such as the stripping required by some wire-haired breeds. This depends upon your ability to do the required tasks and your desire to do them as well. copyright 2005. Sandra Dinkins-Wilson

Ragdoll Cats - An Unusual Cat Breed

The Ragdoll cat breed has an unusual history. According to one story, aliens brought this cat here; a cat that gets its name from the way it goes limp like a Ragdoll when you pick one up.

The Ragdoll cat breed originated in Riverside, California in the 1960s; the breed was founded by an eccentric woman named Ann Baker. The very first Ragdoll cat was a Persian-Birman mix named Josephine. Ragdoll cats come in a variety of colors today, including blue, bicolor, color point, torte, mink, and lynx.

The Ragdoll cat is the largest breed of domestic cat; males can weigh in over twenty pounds when fully mature. Ragdolls are registered by all of the major cat associations and recognized as a purebred cat.

Ragdoll cats are easy going and best known for their characteristic limpness when held. They have medium longhair coats and shed very little for having coats of this length. Ragdolls are very low maintenance cats; they have silky rabbit like fur and do most of their grooming themselves. Because of their size, Ragdoll cats tend to be slightly clumsy; these cats do not typically make good mousers, they are just too laid back to care about mice. Many Ragdoll cats exhibit dog-like behaviors; for example, this breed will run to the door to greet you upon returning home.

Part of what makes this cat so unusual are the stories Ann Baker told about its origins. On one account Ann Baker claimed here new breed of cat was brought here by aliens; another account states the breed was genetically engineered by the government.

Alien or government conspiracy aside, the Ragdoll has quickly become one of the most popular breeds of cat available today.

Ben Harper is a Ragdoll cat enthusiast and founder of the site Ragdoll Cats which was established to promote the Ragdoll cat breed. To learn more about this unusual cat visit: http://www.ragdollcats.info

Practical Advice for Adopting a Dog

If you are thinking of adding a dog to your family, consider adopting your new best friend from an animal shelter or humane society. You'll not only get a good feeling from helping a homeless pet, you'll get an outstanding companion. Many fantastic dogs end up in shelters through life circumstances that have happened with their original owners, and the staff at these organizations carefully check the animals for sound health and good temperament. In addition, some shelter animals have had the benefit of training to develop good manners while they've been waiting for a new home.

You can find just about any age, size and breed of dog at an animal shelter. From entire litters of puppies, to young dogs, to older housebroken dogs too.

When a new dog first arrives, shelter staff carefully evaluate it for physical and behavioral soundness. They make note of quirks, and work with specialists to eliminate negative behaviors. Most shelters even have adoption counselors who interview potential adopters to understand their needs and lifestyle so they can make the perfect match.

Bringing your newly adopted dog home is exciting for you, but may be a little overwhelming for her. Keep her on a leash as you take her from room to room, giving her plenty of opportunity to sniff. It's a good idea to make your first stop on this tour a stop at the dog's bathroom area. The excitement of a car ride and coming to a new place can give her the need to empty her bowels or bladder.

It's important to understand that Dogs are creatures of habit. So the sooner you establish a firm routine, the more comfortable your new dog will become in her new home. Always feed her in the same spot and at about the same time each morning. You'll find she grows to anticipate "what comes next." For example, if you always feed her after you bring in the newspaper, you'll notice she becomes very excited when you open the door to step outside. Dogs catch on quickly.

Related information and resources for this article can be found at: http://www.mypetanimals.com/articles/200506/adopting-a-dog/

© 2005, Kathy Burns-Millyard. This article is provided courtesy of The Pets & Animals Shopping Network. You may publish it at no cost, as long as the links are left intact, made live, and this notice stays in place.

Shih Tzu Grooming Is Art, Skill, Trade And A Profession

Shih Tzu grooming can be compared to human beauty culture because it is the beautification of the Shih Tzu breed. The art of Shih Tzu grooming is aimed at creating a reasonable facsimile of a normal specimen of the Shih Tzu breed. The attendance of Shih Tzu American Kennel Club dog shows is an excellent place to observe first hand the best specimens of the Shih Tzu breed. There are basic steps applicable to grooming the Shih Tzu as well as all breeds of dogs. Anyone interested in becoming a complete dog grooming artist, should know how to make all breeds beautiful. A Shih Tzu grooming artist professional should know how best to enhance the appearance of each breed of dog. However, if the Shih Tzu is your favorite breed, one can become known as an "expert" in grooming the Shih Tzu. A professional Shih Tzu groomer understands that certain breeds, like Poodles, most Terriers and Spaniels, and the Shih Tzu require far more time and skill to groom than smooth-haired breeds, in which only a knowledge of the fundamentals is required. History of dog grooming: The dog, including the Shih Tzu, has been the closest animal to the human family. Grooming dogs was the fashion of the aristocracy during the 19th Century. The art flourished during the reigns of Louis XV and Louis XVI of France. The Poodle, however, and not the Shih Tzu, was the favorite breed. Grooming was largely confined to the Poodle. The first recorded grooming parlors were established in France about this same time. The Shih Tzu has become so much an integral part of the family that going to the canine beautician is as much a ritual for the family Shih Tzu as going to the hairdresser is for the lady of the house. Shih Tzu and dog styling in general has also become so professional and sophisticated that Shih Tzu owners have become as selective about their Shih Tzu's groomer as they are about their own hair stylist. Origin of the clips: Since the art of dog grooming flourished during the reigns of Louis XV and Louis XVI of France and the Poodle, instead of our beloved Shih Tzu, was the favorite breed in France, the Poodle breed became known as the French Poodle. The first Poodles were water dogs and retrievers. The clip most suitable to them resembled what is known today as the "Continental clip." A mane of hair was left on the foreparts while the back and hindquarters were shaven. This clip made the Poodle resemble a lion, and therefore the clip became known in England as the "Lion clip." The American fancy made some variations in the "Lion clip" and began to call it the "Saddle clip." The English Saddle clip calls for the greatest skill in the art of dog grooming. It is not clear from historical records just when the "pet clips" originated. Often now we hear of a "Puppy Cut" for our Shih Tzu, which is a very popular style for a family pet Shih Tzu. However, for the show ring, there is much, much more to grooming our beloved Shih Tzu.