Pet News
« Previous Entries Next Entries »Chinese cultural challenge — keeping pet dogs and eating dogs?
Monday, March 17th, 2008I just ran onto a business story on the Internet which says that Chinese spending on pet food and pet care for 2008 is expected to rise about 15 percent over last year. That story also explained that Chinese people still traditionally eat dogs, as well as keep dogs for pets. As the story graphically [...]
Ferret fanciers are a rare breed, so think carefully before you get a ferret
Friday, March 14th, 2008I’m sure it takes a special type of person to love and care for ferrets. I was just reading an article from a Seattle newspaper which featured the efforts of a husband and wife who opened their island home to ferrets, turning it into Ferret Shelter Northwest, home to 14 rescued ferrets.
According to that article, [...]
Does your dog suffer separation anxiety? Maybe this will help
Friday, March 14th, 2008Many years ago, we had a German Shepherd/Lab cross who was a wonderful pet. But during her first year or two with us, she would be oddly destructive whenever we had to leave her at home alone. She would chew up many things, and she often whined excessively and got extremely agitated and excited whenever [...]
Okay, now here’s a scary story if you’ve ever had critters in the house
Friday, March 14th, 2008I don’t know about you, but my “love” of non-domestic animals, i.e., wild animals, tends to end at the point where they try to move into my house. We battled squirrels in the roof and even had a full-blown bat colony living in the roof of this old house at one time. This went on [...]
Amazing news — scientists map complete dog genome, helpful in fighting human diseases
Thursday, March 13th, 2008Most of what science does regarding genetics is all a wondrous mystery to me, including this project where they mapped the entire genome of a boxer dog. This will, the article explains, help fighting the numerous diseases dogs and humans have in common.
As I understand from the story, when diseases in humans are caused by [...]
As pet food costs rise, some people are getting rid of their pets
Thursday, March 13th, 2008According to a story by one of our local TV stations, rising pet food costs are being blamed for more pets being brought into the local animal shelter.
I certainly understand how increasing prices are hurting us all. I would be the first to say that, if it really comes down to affording cat food or [...]
No matter how big our hearts, we can’t care for every needy pet, can we?
Wednesday, March 12th, 2008What a wonderful story here, about a teenage farm boy in England who, with help from his family and pledged financial support, is caring for more than 90 abandoned pets. The British Press has kiddingly dubbed him “Dr. Doolittle.”
It seems from the story that the kid has a full life, as well as the FULL [...]
Humane Society offers quick look at myths about spaying, neutering
Wednesday, March 12th, 2008In recent years we’ve had cats, not dogs. As a kid living in a small town in Nebraska, we always had dogs. Not surprisingly, the majority of pet “owners” (I hate that word, but “lovers” seems too inclusive, and “pet caretakers” seems awkward) in North America and Europe own — cats or dogs.
So, of course, [...]
Nope, not a veterinarian — but he pretended to be one at the pet shop
Tuesday, March 11th, 2008Here’s a rather bizarre story about a pet shop owner in Indiana who was busted for posing as a veterinarian. What makes this bizarre is not just the man’s claim, but the way he decided to do some bragging — which ended up getting him busted.
The guy’s pet shop name gives you something of a [...]
Gotta travel from the Twin Cities? Here’s an interesting perk for pets
Tuesday, March 11th, 2008What happens when you have to travel but can’t take your pet? Whether for vacation or business travel, you either find a pet sitter, relative, or you board your pet.
Dogs and cats work pretty well in most places, but what if you have a pet gerbil or parrot you need to board? Might be a [...]