The Benefits of a Modern Pet House

Perhaps your cat or dog is accustomed to sleeping on the floor. That seems like the thing to do...until you consider the benefits of a modern pet house! We're not talking about a dog house or a cat scratching post. Modern designs today offer some very convenient features. So let's discuss the modern pet house and what advantages it offers to your pet.

For one thing, they bring your pet great comfort. Just as humans are animals and need our own places for shelter, relaxation and lounging around, so too do our precious critters. Dogs will sleep on the floor if you make them, but they would much rather have a comfortable bed to call their own! Kitties also need a comfy place, and would prefer not to sleep under the couch. Then again, meowing and barking doesn't get much done in the way of negotiations.

You have to think for your pets, and realize that a modern pet house is advantageous. Pets like cave structures, so think of interior houses in terms of caves. This is what they are drawn to and what they feel safe inside of. Cats and dogs alike may show fewer signs of stress when they have a home to relax in, and get away from the noise of a full living room. Modern structures also offer protection for your animals.

Of course, the benefits also pass on to you, and mostly in the way of home cleanliness. It's not fashionable to simply stuff your cat under the couch, or put your dog in an ugly little pile of clothes. The best modern pet furniture is very high class, and very artistically designed to complement the interiors of your house.

Modern homes are also very durable, since they are made out of high-density polyethylene. This guarantees your pet will stay safe and your home will look fabulous! A dog or cat should not bring your home down but elevate the interiors. One very modern design used in cat and dog furniture today is the "egg" shaped home. Not only is it artsy and customizable in color, but it is also very comfortable for a beloved pet.

These modern pet homes make great gifts for family members and friends who love their little critters! Don't just give a pet a home...give him a fashion-friendly and comfy home! For more information, look up modern cat and dog houses online.

K Cathy, For more information on modern pet furniture, pet egg house and modern dog house visit http://www.peipod.com/

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The Family Dog - Cremation Urn Ideas for Your Furry Friend

When you become the proud parent of a dog, they become more than just a pet; they become a part of your family. They sleep on your bed at night, they offer comfort when you're sad, play with you when you're happy and offer companionship when you feel lonely. So when your beloved dog passes away, there will be very strong emotional responses to the finality of your loss. In order to keep some of your pooch with you, consider purchasing a dog cremation urn to display their cremains.

Dog urns come in a wide variety of style and sizes so whether you had a Chihuahua or a St.Bernard, there will be an urn to accommodate their cremains. When you start looking at dog cremation urns, you may initially be surprised and overwhelmed by the wide selection available to honor your four legged friend for the years to come. There's no need to panic though. If you take the time to think about what type of funeral urn best suits your pooch's personality, you will know the right urn the moment you see it.

What Material Should I Choose?

There are a variety of materials to choose from, including wood, metal, glass and ceramic. After cremation, you'll want to select the urn material that best suits you and your beloved canine. Did your pup love chasing sticks? Then wood would be a good selection for you. Was your dog a sleek city slicker, accompanying you on walks uptown? Then the modern, sleek look of metal might suit your furry friend best.

How Much Should I Spend?

In the end, your bank account will be affected by the type of dog cremation urn that you choose, so how much you decide to spend is up to you. It is a good idea to set a budget up front since some people can let their emotions trump the balance in their bank. If you have the money, you can choose to have a custom urn created to perfectly embody the essence of your beloved dog. Most pet urns run in the area of $40 to $100, depending on the size, material and intricacy of the design, but you can spend considerably more if you feel that it's fitting.

Where Should I Put the Urn Once I Bring it Home?

Placement is totally up to you! If you want to display the beautiful dog cremation urn that you've purchased and honor your pet's memory publicly, consider displaying it in your living room on a shelf or mantle. If you feel that your memory should be more private, a home office or your bedroom is a more intimate place to display your dog's cremains.

Melody Jamali is the Founder and President of ( Une Belle Vie ), a Colorado company dedicated to bringing choice of cremation to public light. Their company offers the widest selection in decorative urns for cremation and includes a wide collection of resources designed to help families and friends in their time of need. From tool for the grieving to informative articles about planning, support and other uplifting thoughts, Une Belle Vie is a company dedicated to helping your celebrate the life of the one you love - on your terms.

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The Connection Between Animal Abuse And Human Abuse

Acts of animal abuse go on every day, with many invisible and unreported. Hence, innocent, lovely creatures have to endure the most unpleasant and painful experience living here on earth - with us!

Like us, they just want to have a decent life, be loved, and be free to roam around without being subjected to all manner of abuse.

Animal abuse can take many forms and include

Dumping and abandonmentNeglect leading to starvation, disease, psychological distress, etcSlaughter house practicesPuppy millsOrganised dog fights/cock fightsTying up animals over their lifetimesConfining animals in small cages over their lifetimesBeating and other active, malicious forms of torture

When we get down to its essence, animal abuse is the inappropriate use of one's power over a weaker being that cannot defend itself. It has parallels with child abusers and rapists inflicting pain on those who are vulnerable. Their victims are powerless and the offenders consequently mistreat them for their own selfish pleasures.

Over the past forty years, there have been numerous research studies showing the connection between animal abuse and human violence. This connection was first documented in the 1970's when the United States FBI found that many serial killers had tortured or killed animals when they were children.

A 1997 study by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Northeastern University quantified that animal abusers were five times more likely to commit violent crimes against people than those without a history of animal abuse.

In fact, the American Psychiatric Association lists animal cruelty as a symptom of a serious psychological condition.

According to Dr Randall Lockwood of Washington University and Vice-President of the Humane Society of the United States, it has become widely accepted that the mistreatment of animals can be an indicator of many other forms of family violence and ongoing abuse and neglect, including child abuse, elder abuse, domestic violence and mistreatment of the disabled.

Dr Lockwood points out that a child's cruelty to animals can also indicate that he is at high risk of becoming a perpetrator of violence in society later, perpetuating the cruelties that he or she has experienced.

Even as far back as the 17th century, the influential English philosopher John Locke said of children that "...tormenting and killing...beasts will, by degrees, harden their minds even towards men; and they who delight in the suffering and destruction of inferior creatures, will not be apt to be very compassionate or benign to those of their own kind."

Therefore, we need to be especially attentive when a child tortures an animal or complains of his father mistreating his pet. These incidents can signal a higher risk of violence - within the child's household currently, and/or by the child when he becomes an adult.

Clearly, there are significant benefits to be reaped from early identification and intervention. Another positive is that animal abusers can be rehabilitated. According to Dr Lockwood, "...we have also realised that the proper experiences with animals can provide a road back to empathy and compassion, and can be a powerful force for healing and a way of breaking the cycle of violence."

Evidence of the strong association - between animal abuse and human violence - demands that animal abuse cannot be treated in isolation anymore. In line with this, authorities urgently need to develop policies and practices that are collaborative and multi-disciplinary. Critical are cross-reporting and the attendant cooperation between a range of professionals such as the police, child protection agencies, animal welfare agencies and veterinarians.

Equally, the police, governments and schools need to regularly send out strong messages that the abuse of animals or humans will not be tolerated because any abuse endangers society as a whole. To reinforce this, the police and courts need to treat animal abuse as a serious crime and not trivialise it as a minor offence.

More information and discussion on this can be found in the blog of Daisy Chee.

Daisy Chee is passionate about animal welfare. In between her full-time job in financial services, she would like to engage in conversations with respect to how we can effectively eradicate cruel practices inflicted against these voiceless, defenceless and beautiful creatures. Please share your thoughts with her via her blog http://daisychee.wordpress.com/.

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The Basics of Keeping an Aquarium

Keeping an aquarium may seem to be a daunting task for many but it's easy to understand why so many people enjoy keeping fish as pets. Their visual appeal is captivating, their movements soothing and reduces stress just by observing them in their element. In fact aquariums can often be found in places of business to decrease tension and stress.

Having fish is not just about picking out a few fish and putting them in a new aquarium with some fish food. There are several factors that must be considered such as size and compatibility of the fish and size of the tank required.

Regardless of whether you choose tropical fish or cold water fish, by learning a few fundamental rules you can enjoy your own tank with minimal maintenance.

The Basics

Here are some of the basics needed for setting up your aquarium. In time you can add to and modify to your collection but for the most part, these will be your staple items.

Tank - make sure this is the proper size for the fish you plan on keepingFilter - there are many variations, but the bottom line is to keep the tank clean and oxygenatedPlants - help oxygenate the water and provide hiding places for fishGravel - mainly for decoration but some fish like to hide in gravelHeater - dependent on the fish you are keeping but an essential part of keeping your fish warm

The Most Important Rule

The most basic rule is not to over feed your fish. Very often, novice fish keepers are tempted to keep feeding their fish simply because of a lack of better understanding. You must always remember, an aquarium is a closed environment and everything that goes into the water becomes a part of this environment. When excess food breaks down it releases phosphates and this encourages the growth of algae. With excess food come excess waste and inevitably a dirty environment encouraging disease.

A good rule of thumb is to feed your fish only once a day and when feeding them, they should eat everything inside of a few minutes. They will feed at the top and chase after the food, diving down when necessary to get to it. Any excess food will sink to the bottom and by giving your fish a day of rest without feed, it will encourage them to search for food and keep their tank cleaner.

Adding scavenger fish or algae eating fish to your tank help will keep it clean naturally. They are quick to clean up any excess food and keep too much algae from forming.

Providing the Right Environment

All aquariums require some kind of maintenance with the buildup of phosphates, evaporation and water hardness over a period of time. Many fish means more waste matter, which in turn means pH levels, will continue to decreasing. Freshwater aquariums need 25 percent water change at least once a month depending on how heavily stocked it is and how clear you prefer your tank.

Maintaining the temperature that is best for the fish is very important. Tropical fish do v best in temperatures of approximately 25 degrees centigrade, while cold water fish do well in lower temperatures. Aquarium temperature should always remain constant, abrupt changes will result in a shock to the fish, which could cause death. The safest thing to do is to attach a thermometer to the tank and monitor it regularly.

Your fish need light and typically it comes from natural light and artificial light. The plants in the aquarium need light for their growth and the fish need light for feeding. The optimum light requirement for your aquarium is approximately 12 hours a day. Do not put your tank in an area where there is direct sunlight, this will increase algae formation and will heat the water to an unhealthy temperature.

Another important factor to be considered in aquarium maintenance is the pH levels of the water. The pH levels that are easily tolerated are between 6.6 up to 7.4 with the optimum being a pH of 7. Check with an aquarium specialist if you need to modify your levels for additional fish. They can give you advice on what works and what doesn't.

Adding vegetation and other ornamental rocks will not only give your tank visual interest but it provides your fish with places to hide. It is important to understand the kind of natural environment your fish require. Visit your local aquarium shop to find the best plants and accessories for the type of fish you have.

As with any kind of pet, knowing how to keep them, and making every effort to provide the best environment can only mean healthy, happy fish that will be with you for a long time.

Got a burning question about keeping an aquarium? Grandpa Gord and Grandma Gertie put a sensible spin on expert advice, with a little humor thrown into the mix. We cover topics ranging from pets to parenting, careers to hobbies, relationships to lifestyle, finances to food, and everything in between. Visit us at SensibleGuides.com for some simple and straight from the hip advice from people who've been around the block a few times.

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Chinchillas Breeding Guide - Reproductive Cycle

Chinchillas are seasonal breeders. This means that they do not reproduce year-round. This seasonality is due to the female's estrous cycle, because males remain fertile year-round. In the southern hemisphere, where chinchillas originated, they breed from May to November. In the northern hemisphere, their reproductive cycle is shifted six months to accommodate the difference in seasons, light cycle, and climate, and they breed from November to May. Although female chinchillas ovulate (release eggs from the ovaries) about once a month (every 38 days), they usually produce only two litters a year.

Female animals are generally classified into two groups. Spontaneous ovulators are animals that ovulate spontaneously, whether mated or not. (Examples include hamsters and mice.) Induced ovulators are animals that ovulate in response to mating. (Examples include cats, ferrets, and rabbits.) Chinchillas are unusual in that they are a blend of both. Most chinchillas ovulate spontaneously, but they will also ovulate in response to being mated.

Estrus

Estrus is the time during the breeding season, just before and just after ovulation, during which the female will permit the male to mate with her. Estrus in the chinchilla usually lasts from 12 hours to two days.

It is characterized by a change in color around the perineal area from pink to deep red. Swelling of the vulva does not usually occur, although the reddened tissue may make it appear that way.

As a chinchilla breeder, you need to observe your animals closely, particularly during the breeding season. This will allow you to know when to put the female and male together and make plans for the litter well in advance of the birth.

Puberty

Unlike many rodents, chinchillas take a long time to reach sexual maturity. They may reach puberty as early as five and a half months of age, but the average is about eight months of age. Male chinchillas are usually smaller than the females and need extra time to attain the size and physical development to be able to breed successfully. However, they may produce sperm as early as two months of age.

Courtship Behavior

During the breeding season, the male chinchilla will initiate courtship by grooming the female. As the courting ritual continues, the male will attempt to mount the female. If she is not yet receptive, her behavior can be unpredictable. Females can be very aggressive toward males, even during estrus. It is extremely rare, though, for a male to fight back or even attempt to protect himself other than to run away in panic from the female. So you must closely supervise the animals to make sure the female does not harm the male. Some females are so much larger, stronger, and aggressive than the males that they have been known to kill the males, especially if the males have no way to escape from them.

Several breedings may take place at intervals, but all take place quickly, probably as an antipredator defense mechanism. If breeding took too long, chinchillas would be vulnerable to predators in the area.

Ovulation

Ovulation is the release of eggs from the ovaries. Assuming the male is fertile, the number of young conceived will depend upon the number of viable (live, healthy) eggs released during ovulation. Litter size ranges from one to six, with an average of two.

Implantation

Implantation, the attachment of the embryo to the uterus, takes place in the chinchilla at five days after mating. The placenta is an organ that is part of the baby and not of the mother. Each individual fetus has a placenta of its own. The placenta attaches each kit to the mother's uterus so that it can receive nutrition through the blood supply. Different animal species have different kinds of placentation. Chinchillas have a chorioallantoic-type placentation.

Even though embryos may attach to the uterus, things can go wrong and pregnancies may not be carried to term, or completion. Fetal reabsorption is common in chinchillas at any stage of their pregnancy and is observed more often than fetal mummification or abortion.

Pregnancy

The time during which the female is pregnant, that is, from conception to birth, is called gestation. The 111-day (105- to 118-day range) gestation period in the chinchilla is very long compared with most rodents. Chinchilla fetuses grow more slowly than most rodent fetuses of closely related species.

Usually a long gestation means the offspring are born precocious, that is, well developed and fully able to fend for themselves. Although chinchillas are born with fur and their eyes open, they still need their mother for protection and nutrition for at least six to eight weeks.

An interesting theory has been postulated to account for long gestation periods in some hystricomorph rodents such as the chinchilla. It suggests that species with long life spans and long reproductive periods have large brains at birth and in adulthood and that the gestation length is determined by the brain weight and stage of development at birth.

If your chinchilla is carrying several young, you will probably detect an increase in size in her abdomen during the last month of her pregnancy, and when you pick her up you may notice she feels heavier. You should weigh her weekly to keep track of any unusual fluctuations in body weight that could signal a problem.

Handle your pregnant chinchilla carefully and gently so the unborn babies are not crushed or injured. Do not grasp the mother-to-be too firmly around her abdomen. Support her body when you hold her. Do not make changes in her cage that might upset her. Make sure newspaper or soft bedding is on the cage floor so that when the kits are born they cannot catch their small feet and limbs in the wire mesh cage floor.

Birth (Partuition)

Birth usually takes place in the morning hours. Chinchillas give birth by sitting up and hunching over, or squatting. Kits are usually born a few minutes apart, although the time interval between kits can be as long as an hour. Some kits are born head first, others may be born breech (hind limbs and rump first). The placenta passes shortly after the kits. There should be one placenta for each kit. It is normal for the mother to eat the placenta.

If your chinchilla has been in labor for more than an hour, if the kit is partway through the birth canal and the mother is unable to pass it, or if the placentas have not passed, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Kits weigh about 2 ounces (60 g) at birth, although they may be as small as 1 ounce (30 g). During the birth process and afterward, the mother and her babies may chirp softly to one another. If you listen closely, you will recognize these tender sounds as the announcement of the birth of a new litter!

Chinchilla parents are very protective of their young. It is unlikely, but possible, that the mother will bite you if you reach into the cage, so be careful! Be sensitive to her feelings. If she is upset, she will growl or snarl. If she is very fearful, she will make the eek eek cry. During the first few hours after birth, it is best to leave the new family alone.

Mortality can be as high as 10 percent at birth. When it doubt, do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian for help.

Soon after birth, the female chinchilla will come into estrus again. This is called a postpartum estrus. This early estrus is not uncommon in rodent species. If your chinchilla does not breed and conceive on the postpartum estrus, she may return to estrus again (postlactation estrus) when the kits are weaned. If bred, she could conceive at that time.

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