Every Pet Has Its Days

Searching For Missing Cat

2008-09-15T17:08:00.002+08:00

I came home after church. The church that day celebrate the feast of The Triumph of The Cross. I came back at about 9.15pm, and saw this notice at the lift, at the void deck of my house.

This 'missing cat' notice pasted on the side of the lift at my void deck

A closer Look At the Missing cat.

The cat looked so familiar to me!

The date was my birthday... the cat was lost on my birthday!

It was the cat on the tree, the cat I had seen that day when I had the 'inspiration', that instant moment when I had the words 'Victory Alleluia' in my brain...

The girl was wearing St Theresa's Convent uniform on that day. I do not know her name, but knew that she is a Muslim, but look so much like a Chinese, her complexion so fair. They have two cats, both so lovely!

First time I saw the cat climbing up on the tree. The last time was perhaps when I was young, at Boon Lay house, where there were so many cats...

Victory Alleluia

Nature Cats
Cat's Life
Two Miracle's Cats

The one below is the one I like most. It was catching the mynas on that day when I saw him...

Lost and Found
Energy cannot be created or destroyed.....

Cats are such HOLY animal, I am God's Cat now... serving God....

Photographs of Baby

2008-07-19T12:39:00.003+08:00

This is my old home in Woodlands. I like white and cleanliness, but Richard always like black and he always said white colour will trap a lot of dust and dirt....

This is outside our house, the corridor is very big. There is one other house directly opposite us.

My greatest nursery success was here, where we have big place for our gardening hobby. Over here, my arrowhead plant was so beautiful at one time, one Chinese New Year.... Richard and I went to nurseries to buy plants and orchids. We had so many types of orchids then....

This is Baby, he loves to smell the plants.

He is such an intelligent dog, very like me(his character), and Amanda said he is so passionate. Don't know what happen to him now. But last night, I saw another Shih Tzu, about three years plus, and it is beige colour.... it is a female dog, very obedient...

My Baby Shih Tzu

2008-06-16T14:27:00.003+08:00

This was Baby, my favourite Shih Tzu. He was a gift given to me by Richard. We bought him at Soo Kee Kennel, at Belastier Road if I am not wrong about the name. At that time, I was feeling blue, really at the point of 'breakdown' because of His Father. I won't mention much about His Father at this point. But I saw Baby, and he was so active, playing with a ball. He was put in the cage, together with another dog. But we chose him. He was so small, so cute and adorable. I brought him everywhere I went. I remembered I brought him to my sister's home also, because I saw my photograph of me and baby at her home.

This is a closer view of Baby when he was sleeping, just behind the door of our old house, our first matrimonial house. Baby was so alert, so clever, and he was so like me! At the slightest sound, he would wake up -- as you can see from these photographs. I caught sight of him sleeping so soundly. It was such a peaceful sleep, so adorable he was. I walked towards him...

Nothing can escape his 'eyes' and ears, even when he was 'sleeping'. He opened his eyes, the moment I walked near him. He knew it!

Baby gave me so much 'happiness'. I 'forgot' all my 'problems' and I was so much happier with him around. Baby always like to kiss me. However, his temper was rather 'bad', just like me. He was temperamental, but to me he was just fine. We got along so well, until I was pregnant and was unable to look after him...

Baby would be thirteen years old now if he is still around in this world. However, I do not know where he is now. I would like to find him or at least know what had happened to him if there is any chance of it.

Our dog is our best friend, a very loyal and faithful friend. They recognize you as their owner, their master, from the very first day you bring them home. They rely on you wholeheartedly and trust you for their well-being. Once they 'escape' or wonder out of the house, owners get so worried about the safety of their pets. Their pets have become so important to them and they have become part of the family. When pets are lost, owners have no peace. Their mind would only be focused on searching for their lost pets. At this website findtoto.com, one can search for lost animals, missing or stolen pets. So whether your pet is a Lost Dog or a missing dog, findtoto.com can help you to search for your missing dog.

Cat In The Box

2008-04-25T08:45:00.000+08:00

This picture is taken two nights ago, on 23rd April 2008, on the day where the Enchanted Tembusu Tree was full of blossoms... Again two cats were at his same place, the place where I met the two miracle cats, but this time, different cats, but still cats I seen before.

I was attracted to the black ones, while the boys (Richard and Ricsson saw the other one, and asked me to go over, as it was even funnier there). I went over and so surprised to see this cat above, in the box. It was the cat which I had seen, sleeping last month on the walkway.

It was this black one that I saw first. A malay guy with kids brought some dry food to feed the cats. He told me that the white one is a male cat, very fierce, 'Be careful, very fierce" he said.

But he was never fierce to me, last month, he was lying in front of me, and now, he is in the box.

This is the Singapore Carton Cat. The cat spirit was captured under the Mango tree one day, among the grass and bushes. It was a fierce looking cat, with sharp teeth.

However, that night when we were there, the white cat never attacked or do anything to the black cat. The black cat is a female cat, eating the food given by the boys, and the white cat (food was given to him), never eat the food, just go kaypo (busybody like what you see in the picture).

If you have never harm the cats, why should the cats harm you? In the news, the elephants lost control, get mad and went around destroying things and hurting people. This is the works of God at work now. Noah Ark, the flood, it is all a jigsaw puzzle now, we must fix the puzzle and we want the picture of paradise to be seen.

Nature Cats

2008-04-21T09:49:00.002+08:00

Most of a cat's sense organs are on its head, as ours are. This arrangement brings two main advantages: it puts them in the front line and also means they are nearest to the brain, which can therefore receive and process incoming data as quickly as possible.

Wherever they live, island or mainland, cats are bound to take their toll of wildlife. Cats are great survivors. Carried around the world for centuries by people, they now occupy every possible habits wherever there is food, water and shelter. Feral cats need to hunt to survive, and farm cats do it for a living. But even pampered pet cats -- however well-fed they may be, will hunt and kill, because that is what cats do.

Normally, a cat's faeces contain around the same moisture as the meat they eat; by creating drier faeces, constipation increases the amount of moisture the cat extracts from its food. Due to their desert origins, cats also have extremely efficient kidneys.

Newborn kittens are easy to sex. Between birth and five weeks old, it becomes surprisingly difficult, but by the time a kitten is ready to leave its mother, the differences are clearly visible again. The genital opening, although directed backwards in both sexes, is more widely separated from the anal opening in a male; in females, both openings are so close together that they may appear to be connected. It is reasonably easy to sort them out when you have kittens of both sexes to compare.

The regular pattern for a hunting cat is little and often, meaning bite-size mice taken at regular intervals. Given the chance, most pet cats will follow this pattern. Cats given free access to dry food take their daily ration in many little snacks throughout day and night.

A male cat may kill kits. Nursing females tend to treat all males with suspicion and hostility, but some mothers permit carefully supervised visits from the kittens' father. Females, especially sisters, quite often co-operate in rearing kits. If the nursery is disturbed or discovered, a mother often moves her kits to a new site, carrying them, one at a time, by the loose skin(the 'scruff') between their shoulders and neck.

Kits are taught to hunt by their mother; she demonstrates techniques which they imitate. Play is a way of honing the coordination and hunting skills that their lives will depend on. The age at which kits naturally leave their mother depends on how much needs to be learned in order to survive; a female tiger spends at least 18 months coaching her cubs before she even thinks about starting a new family, whereas domestic kittens are normally 'taken away' when they are weaned, around two months after birth.

A tom will grow up to be a philandering warrior; a female will grow up to be a mother. Two intact toms cannot coexist in peace, whereas intact females live together happily and may even babysit for one another. Toms are often affectionate toward people, perhaps because they make few friends in the cat world. Females can be more self-contained; maybe they get more feline company or put motherhood before other relationships.

Cat's Life

2008-04-20T07:27:00.001+08:00

Cats are free spirits. They are dedicated, body and soul, to the thrill of the chase. They are not driven to hunt by hunger alone but by instinct, more or less regardless of whether their quarry is edible or not.

This is my first time taking picture of cats on tree. When I was young, I saw cats climbing trees, but after I moved house, I no longer see cats, nor think of them anymore.

At the library, I found this book, Natural Cats, written by Chris Madsen, the author of over 30 history, conservation and pets' books.

She wrote:

"Happy animals make cheering company, and we can all use some of that. A happy cat makes a perfect friend too. It won't pretend to like you if it doesn't honestly feel in the mood; it will listen to your problems patiently without ever interrupting with smart advice; you can confide your darkest secrets and it won't tell a soul. And it's good to come home to a warm body who'll give you a rub and welcome you with a happy trill, even when you've a frown on your face and your hair looks terrible....

The very first cat I remember was Mimi, a tabby born under a redundant railway carriage mysteriously marooned in a meadow on the Isle of Wight. Her son, the inimitable Chester, moved in the very best circles; his beat on the tiles of Belgravia gave him a direct view into Buckingham Palace's secluded gardens. This was one cat that really might -- and surely did -- look at a Queen. Chester taught me to speak cat and, I suspect, a lot about respecting my betters. I couldn't have written this book without him."

No wonder the name ManChester United.

That evening, I was so filled with awe, the cat on the tree just looked like any other wild cats, the tiger, leopard and so on, on the tree, how cool it is... a very nice scene and picture indeed. And the cat just stayed up there on the tree for so long, as long as more than 10-15 minutes, for as long as I was there. The cat can move its ears when I talked, and it is very alert on the tree, watchful of its surroundings.

I never like cats, never, but only dogs. But somehow, it is so strange, that I am 'led' to learning more about cats. And it is my duty to tell you about cats, as we learn together, and we become better people.

Sixty million people keep cats in the USA. Seven million in Britain are cat owners. More people are keeping cats than dogs. After thousands of years co-existing with people, cats still have not lost their wild side. They are still the same natural, beautiful, sensual animals that the Ancient Egyptians adored.

Cats generally sleep during the day and hunt at night or in twilight. Their eyes see little colour but are acutely aware of movement, especially in dim light; stereoscopic vision enables them to measure distance accurately. Their large, mobile ears can detect, identify and locate the faintest sounds. They use their keen sense of smell for hunting, for selecting fresh and wholesome food, and for identifying other individual cats. Whiskers add an extra sense for accurate work at close quarters.

A cat's body is built around a muscular, supple spine, ending in a long tail which it uses for balance or signalling. Hooked retractable claws serve for climbing and hunting; if they fall, cats have an uncanny talent for landing on their feet. All cats can swim if they have to .

Stalking is an economical method of hunting. Adult cats don't waste energy dashing around. Typically, a cat stalks its prey until it is near enough to pounce and get a grip with its claws. Cats can be extremely dexterous, flicking fish out of water and even snatching birds and bats in flight, but their main prey is rodents. Their long, sharp canine teeth pry the victim's neckbones apart to sever its spinal cord. After feeding, the rough tongue is used to remove all traces of blood that might otherwise attract flies and bacteria.

Two Miracle Cats

2008-04-03T17:29:00.002+08:00

This is the exact colour of the cat I saw, at Fushan Garden and also last night. This is the first cat which I had seen last week, while walking at Fushan Garden, love it at first sight. I cannot help but stroke it many times and it was so obedient. As soon as I left, it seems trapped in the red-lip palm tree.

Beside this cat was another one, black with stripes, both at the left hand side of the walkway. I was so surprised. I like this cat, they made me happy. I bend down, 'sayang' it on the head, but it show 'protest', it doesn't like it. I stroke the black one, and it was very obedient. The second black cat was the one I fed it with food on 27th March 2008. It was the day when Ricsson and me cut hair and we ate our food at Blk 834 Seafood. The cat was very special that day. I would not forget. It was SO CUTE. The cat came to me, stretched out its left arm, seemed to 'talk' to me, "I want to eat." I gave the cat food to eat, but leftovers. That reminds me of so long ago, when my family ate at outside restaurant, we used to feed the cats. And only to be scolded by people for littering and feeding strays, encouraging them to breed more.

Richard was so angry that day. But I still feed the cat, the cat seems to call me thrice, with the left hand touching my right hip. It was so gentle, and so comforting touch. I am no good at recognising cats, but last night, it should be this cat that I fed.

The other cat which I had seen looked like that, but not kitten.

I was confused, why I saw two cats, does it mean that I have done the wrong thing, I am going to revert back to the 'sinful state' or what? I faster got up and I walked down the stairs when one of the kid said,"let's go," I forgotten who said,"the cats are dirty, later must wash hands". Sound familiar, but I am doing it myself. Did I do the wrong thing?

I was so scared, so worried about Richard, he was no where within our view. I asked the children,"where is Papa?" We walked to the open space of Woodlands North Plaza and still no sight of him. But soon, I saw him walking down the stairs from Woodlands North Plaza. At Woodlands North Plaza, the food are sold upstairs, second floor. There are two food court, one used to have air-con and one do not have air-con. We went upstairs, bought vegetable rice. Unhappiness, sad. What he planned, what he wanted to eat, went there, nothing. Walking around with him, having to discuss what to eat again. I was so sad. The children asked,"Why you cry?" I said,"Nothing...I am alright.." I explained to them, but again Richard said,"see, why you cry? You okay a not?"

Walking back, I wanted to buy some food initially, but children and I were all hungry. I was too tired to go buy anything too. We walked back, climbed up the stairs and strangely, Richard walked back the same place. We all followed behind him. I was again surprised to see the TWO CATS sitting there. As we walked past, the cats ears moved. They were very attentive. The two cats seem to be listening with their ears and watching us. How strange and amazing it is. FIRST TIME. First time I encounter all these.

Cat Has Nine Lives

2008-02-28T15:34:00.002+08:00

It is said that the cat has nine lives. Cats are amazingly self-reliant and adaptable creatures. Although there are many stories testifying to this fact, there is one tale that stands out as particularly remarkable. In Detroit, Michigan, a female cat was accidentally imprisoned inside a shipping crate full of motor parts. Six weeks later, in Egypt, the crate was opened. Not only was the cat found alive, though pathetically weak, but she had given birth to a healthy litter of four kittens. The entire family had survived in complete darkness without food or water. Miraculously, the mother had fed her young and kept them alive during the long ordeal!

There is much evidence that cats do have nine lives! In fact, in England, a Siamese cat named Sam, survived an incredible series of near-death experiences, everything from hanging to being nearly done in by a garbage truck. Dennis Bardens tells Sam's story in Psychic Animals:

Sam was dropped on the doorstep and sustained a cracked jaw... He next disappeared while his owners were out visiting. His piteous mews at last located him behind a brand-new ornamental fireplace, which had to be ripped out to release him. Next, he ate a bee which stung him in revenge. His head became swollen and he could not eat for a fortnight. Next, he slipped inside a laundry bag just in time to be tumbled into the washing machine where fortunately for him, he was spotted. He then decided to join the rubbish being ground up in a passing garbage truck; the driver heard his 'plaintive mew' just before tipping the dustbin in. Next, Sam was found hanging by his collar from a tree. His eighth life was squandered when the home caught fire; he had passed out and a fireman revived him with the kiss of life!

There are many such cases on record testifying to the extraordinary survival skills of cats like Sam, and this is probably how the phrase "a cat has nine lives" got started centuries ago.

Great Facts About Cats

2008-02-26T18:29:00.002+08:00

The Cat as a Role Model
"I think one reason we admire cats, those of us who do, is their proficiency in one-upmanship," said Barbara Webster. "They always seem to come out on top, no matter what they are doing -- or pretend they do. Rarely do you see a cat discomfited. They have no conscience, and they never regret. Maybe we secretly envy them."

Cool Cats
Cats are one of the most successful groups of animals on earth. They thrive in more places than any other group of mammals. Cats are nocturnal creatures. They sleep about 16 hours each day.

An adult cat has 32 teeth. Cats can become physically mature as early as 3.5 months old, but generally at 8-9 months. After 8 weeks, a kitten is ready to fend for itself and can be safely removed from its mother.

Cats make good house pets because they are willing to share affection when we are around and able to be self-sufficient when we are not. They are also superb listeners. One survey found that only 5% of all cat owners do not talk to their cats.

Sight is the last of a cat's senses to develop. First is touch, then after about three days, the senses of smell and taste. A few days later the cat begins responding to sounds, and after about 10 days its eyes begin to open. During this period, it is recommended that the cat be confined to a darkened place, until its eyes can fully adjust to light and shade.

The colour of a kitten's eyes changes as it grows older. Most cats can see six times better than people can in the dark. In the first 2 weeks of a kitten's life, its eyes are closed; the newborn finds its mother's milk through smell and touch.

Cats have independent spirits. One reason why cats are so laid back and independent is that they are considered predators, not prey, in the animal world. Dogs are predators, too, but they prefer company -- human or canine -- if given the choice.

While the health benefits of a vegetarian diet for humans are well documented, for a cat, there is nothing worse. Given a steady diet of veggies, a cat will become sick and eventually die a very miserable death. Cats are carnivores; they love meat and must have it to live healthy lives.

Although cats are very good hunters, they are not always successful at catching their prey. Birds are most elusive; they usually fly away before the cat can even get close to them. Cats have better luck with small animals, such as mice and cockroaches, but it still takes perhaps 10-20 attempts before they catch one.

Cats do not normally need baths because they clean themselves with their rough tongues; they spend about 30% of their waking hours grooming themselves. Nevertheless, all cats benefit from regular grooming.

Cats don't have to move their heads to know what direction a sound is coming from. They just move their ears. A cat's hearing rates among the sharpest in the animal kingdom. She can hear your footsteps approaching from hundreds feet away.

A cat's tail not only expresses a cat's mood and disposition, it also helps the cat to maintain balance when jumping or falling. But many alley cats lose their tails in accidents or fights but do not seem to be much affected by their loss.

These days, cats are living longer, nearly twice as long as they did in 1930. On average, cats live 15-18 years. The oldest cat on record lived for 36 years and one day!

Do Cats Smell with Their Mouths?
Yes, they do. It's called the Flehmen reaction. The cat sucks in pheromones through the nasal cavity to an area of cells that specializes in processing them. This area is known as Jacobson's organ and lies in the roof of the cat's mouth.

The Divine Cat
In the Middle Ages, cats were hunted and cursed as the devil incarnate. Some Buddhists in Asia attribute divine powers to the cat. They believe that in the hereafter the soul of a cat speaks to the Buddha in favour of its owner who still lives on earth. They also believe that the faithful will return to earth in the form of a cat.

Quotes About Cats Links
Quotes About Cats I
Quotes About Cats II
Quotes About Cats III
Quotes About Cats IV
Quotes About Cats V
Quotes About Cats VI
Proverbs About Cats
Pictures of Cats
More Cat's Links
Fun Facts About Cats
Cats Senses
Ancient Cats

What You Want To Know About Cats

2008-02-25T11:31:00.000+08:00

Cats have a very special place among domestic pets. In spite of having attached themselves to human beings thousands of years ago, they have preserved an astonishing independence. They still show many of the behavioural patterns of their wild ancestors and their independence and characters are particularly fascinating. They, of all animals, are particularly suitable as pets for people of every age group. The relationship between cats and human beings can be even closer than relationship between two cats, as shown in some behavioural studies.

A healthy cat is one with bright eyes, a nose that does not run and thick, and have shiny fur. Observe the cats eating, playing and cuddling. Each cat will have its own very distinctive character. Most wild cats, and the ancestors of domestic cats are counted among them, are solitary creatures. Even the young will only remain with their mother until they are able to feed themselves. During the course of their evolution into domestic animals, cats have become much more tolerant towards other members of their own species and will often seek contact with them.

You can easily keep two cats in your home. You can leave them alone all day long without having a guilty conscience because they will be able to play with each other. On the other hand, a single cat may become bored and will get up to all sorts of mischief. Some cats will even learn how to open the doors of rooms and other 'containers' and even refrigerator.

Colours of Cat
Cats come in a huge variety of colours -- white, black, red, cream, blue -- and in combinations of colours such as tortoiseshell. Their markings can vary as well, eg. tabbies may be striped or patched as well as being of different colour combinations. There are no significant character traits associated with colour. However, tortoiseshell cats of any type or breed are almost always female.

How Cats Spend Their Time
Cats are noted for being clean animals. They love to sharpen their claws on upholstery, textured wallpaper and carpets. Kittens love to climb up curtains.

Cats will sleep in a number of different places around the house, the most popular being upholstered furniture, discarded clothes, next to radiators, in cartons, bags, boxes, or sometimes even in the cat-baskets...

Male Cat or Female Cat
The sex of a cat will not have much bearing on its character. Both males and females can be quarrelsome, affectionate, moody or lovable. Only in the case of non-neutered, fully grown animals will you clearly notice definite differences in behaviour.

It is quite easy to sex a kitten, even when it is quite young, and you can do this yourself. In a female cat, the genital opening is fairly long and close to the anus. In a male cat, the genital opening is roundish and the distance between it and the anus is noticeably greater than in the female. Before a male cat is castrated, you can also see the paired testicles.

Cats Links
The Cat (Felis silvestris catus), also known as the Domestic Cat or House Cat to distinguish it from other felines, is a small carnivorous species of crepuscular mammal that is often valued by humans for its companionship and its ability to hunt vermin. It has been associated with humans for at least 9,500 years.

Anatomy of Cats
Amazing Facts About Cats I
Amazing Facts About Cats II
Amazing Facts About Cats III
Comparison of Dogs, cats and human age
Black Cats
Funny Cats
Pictures of Halloween Cats
Halloween Cats
Cats and Dogs Story
Pictures of cats and goldifish
Cats Paintings with Fast Facts
Beautiful Cats Paintings
More Cats Pictures

Senses of Cats

2008-02-24T11:33:00.000+08:00

Cats are not bonded just to their homes. They are well able to distinguish between acquaintances and strangers, and will recognize good friends after years. They will often develop a preference for one member of the family -- and this need not always be the one who feeds them. Solitary housecats in particular need the affection and company of their adopted human. Their needs will depend on the age and idiosyncrasies of the animal: young cats need to be played with; older cats especially need companionship.

Cats show their affection in many different ways: they will rub against your legs, hold out their head, allow themselves to be lifted onto your lap while purring loudly, or follow your every step. Most cats love to be stroked, but only when they are in the mood. To really understand your cat you have to be able to think yourself into its position. This is not quite easy as cats see the world in a very different way from human beings.

Cats At Play
Kittens practise their innate hunting skills by playing with their siblings or with inanimate objects, lurking, stalking, leaping and hitting out with their paws. Cats kept in pairs are able to keep each other occupied but, in the case of solitary animals(particularly housecats of any age), you will have to make time for playing with them everyday. In this way, you will keep your pet young and fit and prevent boredom. All kinds of toys for cats -- rubber, fur, mice, balls etc, are available from pet stores and similar outlets. Even an ordinary table tennis ball or a ball of string will keep a cat entertained for hours.

The Cat's Senses
A special light-reflecing layer(the tapetum lucidum) in a cat's eyes enables them to 'shine' when a ray of light falls on them in the dark. This layer enables a cat to see efficiently in faint light and cats can certainly see far better than we can at night. However, even a cat cannot see anything in total darkness.

A cat's mobile ears will be able to pick up even very faint noises and extremely high-pitched sounds(in the ultra-sound range) that would be inaudible to human ears. Its highly developed sense of touch -- the whiskers are particularly sensitive -- enable the cat to find its way around in the dark.

The nose of a cat is far more sensitive to smell than the human nose. Cats have scent glands on their chins, lips and foreheads, with which they leave a scent mark -- undetectable to us -- when they rub themselves against us. Their terriory is marked with urine and gland secretions.

Cats Links
A Glance At Cats
Anatomy of Cats
Amazing Facts About Cats I
Amazing Facts About Cats II
Amazing Facts About Cats III
Comparison of Dogs, cats and human age
Black Cats
Funny Cats
Pictures of Halloween Cats
Halloween Cats
Cats and Dogs Story
Pictures of cats and goldifish
Cats Paintings with Fast Facts
Beautiful Cats Paintings
More Cats Pictures

Photographs of Labradoodles

2008-02-14T01:13:00.001+08:00

Labradoodles are intelligent, versatile and able-bodied. They also come in non-allergic varieties. This allows those who are both physically disabled and suffering from allergic reactions to dog dander to have the canine assistants they so badly need, aiding them in their goal of independence.

The Labradoodle Association of Australia, Inc. (LAA) has named the following six breeds as the only approved parent breeds to be used in Labradoodle breeding: Labrador Retriever, Poodle, Irish Water Spaniel, Curly-Coated Retriever, (American) Cocker Spaniel and English Cocker Spaniel. Those wishing to cross to one of the parent breeds must submit documentation and meet certain specifications as set forth by the LAA.

The first retriever ever to be recognized by the American Kennel Club was the Curly-Coated Retriever. This breed was totally suited as a hunting dog, offering keen sensitivity and the desire to perform. The breed's coat was close to waterproof, hardly shed at all and required little grooming attention. The next retriever recognized by the AKC was the Flat-Coated Retriever. This breed had all the attributes required to be a good hunting companion, but it still had the long coat that could get caught up in briers or build up ice when hunting in the snow or cold weather, thus hampering the dog's performance.

Labradoodles were created to be all-around loving, loyal family dogs as well as extremely good service dogs. Males and females alike are terrific at both. A Labradoodle is, however, not a pet dog for everyone. An ideal family who are suitable to adopt a Labradoodle would be one that is active and takes time to train and stimulate the dog. The family has time to spend a lot of time with their dog, continually offers positive reinforcement and new stimuli in the environment. The family will give the dog time to play with other dogs and maintain a regular daily routine and schedule. Lastly, the ideal family that can have a pet Labradoodle at home is one that has no children or has well-behaved school-aged children. If the family has a sedentary lifestyle, has very young children (less than 5 years old) at home, often travels and have hardly any time nor any regular daily routine or schedule, then they should not buy a Labradoodle.

Labradoodles Links
Labradoodles
Labradoodles Facts & Pictures
Special Dogs

Labradoodles

2008-02-13T23:16:00.005+08:00

Early in the development of Labradoodles, Tegan Park added Irish Water Spaniel blood into the mix to create the dark chocolate coat seen today in many dogs. This addition is called a "parent breeding".

Cute and curly well describe the Labradoodle of today. Labradoodles were first developed in the late 1980s by Wally Conran of Guide Dogs Victoria in Kew, Victoria, Australia as assistance dogs for the physically challenged. In the 1980s two breeding and research centres were created to try to generate a consistent outcome for the Labradoodle: Rutland Manor Labradoodle Breeding and Research Center Australia and Tegan Park Labradoodle Breeding and Research Center Australia. Labradoodle Breeders have the desire to create the perfect pet: a dog that has the sturdiness of a Labrador Retriever and a non-stedding coat, is intelligent, has a great temperament and has a teddy-bear appearance that holds him dear to many hearts.

Retriever with a Poodle does not do much to change the intrinsic nature of the outcome. Both breeds are intelligent, eager to please, loyal and hardworking with high energy levels and the ability to learn quickly.

The Labradoodle is considered a "trotting breed" like the Poodle, meaning that he should appear as though floating through the air when moving. The price of a well-bred Labradoodle varies according to the dog's conformation, colour and desired traits. Labradoodles Puppies are great with children, as they are high-energy and very social dogs. They can easily accept other dogs and new people. What is important about Labradoodles is their intelligence. It is equal to that of a Border Collie or Australian Shepherd, regarded as among the most intelligent breeds. Physically, Labradoodles can withstand very extreme temperatures, both hot and cold. Their coats will protect them against both extremes. Along with their energy and love of activity, Labradoodles also like to rest at the owners' feet. They love to be touching their human companions. They readily partake in anything, provided it is with their families, to which they are very loyal.

Experience Labradoodle

2008-02-12T00:09:00.002+08:00

The Labradoodle comes in three sizes, Standard(largest), Medium and Miniature(Smallest). The Medium to light boning, graceful in movement and with vivacious expression. coat should be non-shedding, be of even length over body, on legs, neck, tail and head, and should be as close to non-allergenic as possible. Their unique traits of intuitive nature and the seeking of human eye contact should be easily discernible at a glance.

Labradoodle life expectancy is somewhere between that of the Poodle, at 12 to 18 years, and that of the Labrador Retriever, at 12 to 14 years. Many Labradoodle breeders have determined their dogs' average lifespans to be 13 to 15 years. Standard Labradoodle is over 20 inches at the highest point of the shoulders; the Medium Labradoodle is 17 inches to 20 inches to the shoulder; and the Miniature Labradoodle is below 17 inches to above 14 inches at the highest point of the shoulders.

Temperament: Confident, joyful, vivacious, clown-like, sociable and friendly, totally non-aggressive, clever and extremely intuitive. Well-suited for special work such as Therapy Dog and Assistance Dog.

Colours: The Labradoodle coat colours are black, blue, silver, chalk, cream, cafe-aulait, apricot, red, gold and chocolate. Small white patches are accepted. Most Labradoodles are either black or golden tan, as these are the most dominant colour genes.

Coat: There are three types of coat possibilities for Labradoodles; all are easy to maintain, but not all are allergy-friendly. First, the "hair coat" can range from flat to straight, wavy or curly. This type of coat also can range from being slick like the coat of a Labrador, to having feathering on the tail, legs and face, to wavy all over. This coat sheds in varying degrees and is not the desirable coat type for the Labradoodle. The Second type is the "fleece coat" which is like that of an angora goat. This type of coat is a single coat, soft and curly and should not shed. Finally, the 'woolly coat' is much like the coat of a pure-bred Poodle, offering a non-shedding dog. The coat is dense and thick, sometimes a dense plush with curls that aren't as tight as on a Poodle.

Serious Faults: Hyperactivity, shyness, timidity, aggressive to people or other animals, snappy, yappy, high-strung, missing pigment, overshot, undershot or crowded mouths, patched colour, kinked or teapot tails, weak or "hare" feet, heavy or ponderous build, cow hocks, dippy backs.

Labradoodles Facts & Pictures
Special Dogs
Labradoodles

Dogs Diet

2008-01-08T17:13:00.002+08:00

In the wild, dogs gorge themselves when any kind of food is available and then live off that nourishment for several days. This food sits in the stomach, where not much digestion takes place, and is passed into the intestines a little at a time. In domestic dogs, this behaviour can lead to obesity. Some pet dogs, especially small breeds, are very fussy about what they eat. They turn up their noses at certain foods and blackmail their owners into offering them full menus from which they choose a daily selection.

Your dog should only eat what you want to feed it. The frequency of meals does not really matter, although once or twice a day is the norm. If your dog is overweight, reduce its calorie intake, or increase its consumption of calories through extra activity. If your dog refuses to eat, seek veterinary advice about its health, then offer it food twice daily, and remove any uneaten remnants after a short period. The war of wills between you and your dog can last up to a week, but the dog will eventually eat whatever you decide to feed it.

Never offer spoiled or stale food to your pets. Provide prepared foods from a reputable manufacturer such as Premium Health Food for Dogs and Cats from Life's Abundance, which is a premium human quality food for dogs and cats. Life's Abundance and all of HealthyPetNet's human grade foods, supplements, and treats are formulated exclusively by nationally recognized holistic veterinarian Dr. Jane Bicks. Dr. Bicks has extensively studied holistic nutrition for pets, especially the role that diet and nutrition play in preventing the all-too-common illnesses that prematurely age our beloved companion animals. Never feed a dog cat food. It is too high in protein. A bowl of fresh water should always be available and the food should always be served at room temperature. Dispose of any canned or moist food that is left uneaten. Left-over dry food should be discarded at the end of each day. Lastly, watch your dog's weight and never feed your dog brittle bones, for example from chicken. Do not let the dog grow fat. Consult a vet for advice if your pet dog refuses to eat for 24 hours, since this may indicate illness.

Pictures of Pot-Bellied Pigs

2008-01-02T10:35:00.000+08:00

Socialize
Pigs are very gregarious animals, which is to say that they need to socialize with others of their own kind, with other species, with people, or a mixture of these. If this vital area of their needs is missing, they will become unhappy, moody and potentially very aggressive animals. If you cannot devote a reasonable amount of time to socializing with them, it would be better if you considered another pet.

Training
The fact that pigs are highly intelligent means that their training is a crucial need. An untrained pig can be a real burden on its owner. It will rip up clothes, carpets and furniture. It will defecate all over your home, and may charge at any person who it does not know, or whom it dislikes for any number of reasons. It will not hesitate to rummage through cupboards in order to satisfy its very healthy love of food items. In short, and especially in the home of the softhearted people, it can make their lives a worry and a misery.

Nutrition
Pigs are extremely easy pets to cater for in respect to their diet. The importance of correct feeding is critical in maintaining a healthy pet. Feed a piglet under 14 weeks old four meals per day. Each meal should contain a mixture of food such that it features items from each of the major food groups. The alimentary canal of a pig is not a precise machine. Its digestive system was evolved to cope with a whole range of food items, some of which are readily available, and some which are less frequently encountered in its day-to-day lifestyle. If a food item is of low nutritional value, the pig will need a large quantity of it in order to meet its metabolic needs. If the food is of high content value, much less will be needed. The pig can survive at either extreme, but for optimum health the norm would be a food intake that represents a balance between these extremes.

Accommodation
Pot-bellies are best kept where there is an available yard or garden. If you live in an apartment, the number of difficulties you may need to overcome will most likely make a pig an unsuitable pet. Pigs cannot climb up and down the stairs like a dog or cat. They also need a rooting box to forage in. No large pet should ever be confined into a home.

Litter Box
If your piglet is to spend most of its time in the confines of your home, you will need to provide a litter box of one sort or another. The box must be larger than the piglet. It must enable your pet to attend to its natural needs without any difficulties whatsoever. The box itself is merely a means of containing the fecal matter or urine. The pig relates the box to the area, thus goes there if it is so trained. It is very important that you change the litter on a regular basis.

Toy
There is no need to purchase squeaky plastic toys for your piglet as there are plenty of alternatives that are both safer and will be thoroughly enjoyed. A pile of newspapers will amuse a piglet for ages, as will cardboard boxes that can be rummaged through and flung about your neat and tidy home! A piglet will happily push around a number of scatter cushions, and of course its rooting box is really both an essential and a toy. Pigs will enjoy chewing on short branches of fruit trees. As they get older, they can amuse themselves with an old rubber tyre or inner tube.

Related Links
Pot-Bellied Pigs
Pet Pigs

Pot-Bellied Pigs Information

2008-01-01T10:18:00.000+08:00

A primary characteristic of the pot-bellied pig is its pot belly, which hangs low and may even touch the ground. Pot-bellies also have a swayed back.

The Genuine Pot-Bellied Pigs
Many piglets are sold as genuine pot-bellies each year, and the buyers really have only themselves to blame if they end up with less than the genuine piglet. There are basically two ways you can be sure you are not being sold a 'counterfeit'. The first is by looking at what is in front of you. The pot-belly must have a straight tail. If it is curly, this indicates a crossing, at the least, with a domestic pig breed.

The pot-bellied youngster will have, albeit in a milder form, a potbelly. It will also have the typical wrinkled snout of this variety to a greater or lesser degree. Its ears will not be as large as those in domestic pig breeds. If you view enough babies, you will have a firm mental picture as to what this breed looks like.

The second method of identification is via the paperwork that should come with the youngster. This will include a pedigree and a registration certificate. An unregistered piglet should still have a pedigree. The latter indicates its line of descent, which should be pot-bellied all the way back through each generation. You cannot assess the quality of the piglet from its pedigree as many people mistakenly believe. At best, it may suggest quality is possible.

Both the pedigree and the registration form will indicate on them the colour, sex and age of the piglet. However, some people might forged the documents and you have to be sure you are purchasing the piglet from a reputable source.

Colour and Size
Pot-bellied pigs can be sexually mature from about the age of four months onwards. They will not be physically mature until they are in their second year(at the earliest). If the pig you purchase matures to be under 100 pounds and less than 53cm at the shoulder, you have a miniature pig. Pot-bellied pigs are available in a range of colours and patterns. The basic colour of pot-bellies is black, but a number of other colours and colour patterns are also available in the hobby. The colour is only important if that one colour or pattern appeals to you more than the others. Of itself, colour has no bearing on either the quality or the disposition of the piglet; these traits are inherited completely independent of each other.

Unless you are really determined to obtain a particular colour and pattern, you are advised to concentrate on obtaining a piglet of sound health and breeding, and one which has a very stable temperament that reflects its breeding and the care lavished on it by the owner. This is the piglet that will prove to be by far the better pet.

Should You Own A Pig?
There are a number of things that you should consider before purchasing a pot-bellied pig, including its suitability as a pet in your household. Do not purchase on impulse. When selecting a pot-belly, health and temperament are the most important qualities to consider. The colour of the animal has no bearing on its disposition. Male pet pigs should be neutered, and female pet pigs should be spayed.

Choosing Pet Pigs

2007-12-31T08:08:00.000+08:00

Pigs live to eat!

The word 'pig' generally refers to any wild or domesticated animal in the scientific classification family of Suidae, although some reserve 'pig' just for younger animals. The word 'swine' covers all members Suidae and means much the same as 'pigs' in its most general sense. "Oinker" and "grunter" are some terms that can also be used when describing a pig.

Another word that gets used quite a lot is "hog". "Hog" typically refers to any domesticated pigs living on a farm, although some use "hog" only in reference to pigs that are over 120 pounds and raised specifically for pork production. "Porker" is another familiar term that can also be used for a pig that is raised for pork production. "Hog" is also used with a few wild pigs like the Warthog and Pygmy Hog.

For either wild or domesticated pigs, the babies are called "piglets", immature pigs, a bit older than piglets, are called 'shoats', castrated males are called 'barrows', males of any age can be called boars, and adult females are called 'sows'.

The ideal age to obtain a piglet would be when it is 10-14 weeks of age. Very young piglets can be notoriously difficult to cope with in respect of their eating habits, and they can suffer badly if they are relocated during this difficult period. By the time they have reached the recommended age, they will be much more settled in every way. They will have been desexed, received all their needed vaccinations, will have been weaned a number of weeks previously, and will have been well socialized by the breeder. Chances are they will have been litter box trained, and have become familiar with a harness and lead.

The New Piglet
The main criteria of a pet pig is that it should be very healthy, be a typical example of the breed, and should have been carefully reared so that it will make the transition to your home with minimal problems. The pet piglet should have received ample handling so that it is not nervous when you obtain it, and will not squeal and run off at high speed every time you and family members approach it.

It will naturally be rather apprehensive the first day or two but this will recede thereafter. The piglet that has not been socialized to humans will take weeks of devoted care before it loses its nervousness. Some may never lose this trait, because to imprint any animal successfully on humans it must be socialized at an early age, on a day-to-day basis.

Which Sex makes the best Pet?
Neither sex is superior to the other though each may display traits you would expect that sex to have. The fact that all pets should be neutered or spayed means that sex-limited traits are displayed at a much lower level. Boars are less aggressive and domineering, sows are less moody. The most influential factors will be just how well your pet is fed, cared for, housed, trained and loved. Both sexes respond equally to these influences and it is these that, in any pet, will determine its attitude to you and others.

Sealed With A Kiss

2007-12-20T20:48:00.000+08:00

There is little doubt that children who grow up with animals do develop into more sensitive and caring adults.

Pets play an important part in our lives. As well as giving us joy and entertainment, they help to keep us healthy and heal us when we are hurt. This statement applies to almost any animals we may choose to share our life with, but there is no doubt that the relationship between people and dogs is something extraordinary.

A dog makes a perfect friend. More than that, a dog can be both confessor and counsellor. It will listen patiently to your problems without interrupting or offering clever advice; you can confide your darkest secrets and it will not tell anyone.

Every successful relationship rests upon mutual understanding, tolerance and respect. In a relationship between a person and a dog, the person normally has the upper hand; this power brings with it the major share of responsibility for the way the relationship works out. It is therefore the human partner who must make the greatest effort to work toward building a true friendship.

The benefits of living with a pet are not imaginary; they add up to the hard medical fact that pet owners visit the doctor up to 10% less frequently than people who have no pets.

A dog is not an ornament to be worn on one's sleeve. It is not a toy to be picked up and put down at will, nor is it a trophy.

Domestic dogs are cheerful, cooperative beings by nature, and the vast majority are fortunate enough to have owners are willing to shower their pets with love.

Last night, I saw a very cute dog. It was love at first sight. I wanted to kiss him. When Cebest was around, he always kissed me, just like the picture above. Sometimes he got bad breath and I need to buy him his favourite snack at one of the pet shops in the neighbourhood. Our dog knows when the owner is sad, and when the owner is happy. When you are excited, he will jump onto you to celebrate your joy. When you are sad, it will crept up to you, to lick away your tears. My dog, Cebest was my most faithful friend. Everyday, he followed everywhere I walked. I had another dog before Cebest. I kissed with all my dogs. They love to kiss me and I enjoyed kissing them and hugging them. If your dog has bad breadth, you can buy Greenies for him. My dogs love Greenies and they serve not only as snacks or treats for your dogs, they also help to remove plaques from your dog's teeth. Greenies come in the shape of toothbrush and bones. There are big and small ones. Greenies will clear away dog's bad breath so that you can enjoy kissing your dog!

Dogs' Drawing

2007-12-06T20:06:00.000+08:00

If a dog does not have a cold, wet nose, does that mean he is sick? Dog's noses are complicated little tools that perform a myraid of services and functions. One of those functions is to keep the dog cool by hydrating the air that passes through his nose so that there is an exchange of air that is fresh, cool and moist. The inside of the nose is lined with mucous membranes. These membranes need moisture for good health so they can perform their function, which is to catch debris and germs and all kinds of funky stuff before it reaches the lungs.

The canine snout is great for isolating and sniffing things out, but in order to make it so efficient, the nostrils are necessarily straight and open to air, so they need that added moisture to keep out all the bad stuff and keep the mucous membranes clean and healthy. The 'wetness' is a mixture of mucus and saliva, but it starts out as mucus. The dog will lick his nose a lot and the saliva acts as a mucolytic(a substance that thinks mucus).

Sometimes a dog's nose will even drip, and that's normal too. The wetness keeps the nose clean and well hydrated so that the nose does not dry out, which would cause the mucous membranes to dry out as well. Dogs, during a single day, will go from a cold wet nose to a warm wet nose to a dry cold nose to a dry warm nose at various times and degrees throughout the day, depending on the ambient factors. If there are breezes, if they are indoors or out, if they are in air conditioning or overheated air, their noses will react accordingly. It's just as with contact lenses; the ambient factors sometimes determine whether you need to add eye drops or the eye is well hydrated on its own.

Do Dogs have the ability to exhibit facial expressions? Dogs do have the muscles that are necessary to exhibit facial expressions. It's doubtful, however, that they use facial expressions like we do.

Many pet owners had seen 'the guilty look' or a look of surprise or fear in their pet dogs. So there is reason to believe that dogs show facial expression. That could be just our interpretation of what they are doing; we cannot truly know what emotions give rise to the expression. Body language is very important to dogs, but as far as using facial expressions to show disgust, happiness, or anger, it's hard to say. Even though they have the muscle structure, they probably do not have the attendant, necessary intellectual ability.

Why does a dog pee on the bed? Professor of animal sciences Susan Helmink notes that dogs tend to prefer absorbent substances to pee on(such as grass as opposed to slate). The reason for this is so they do not wet their feet from splashing or pooling urine. So if they are not well housetrained they may see the bed as an absorbent alternative.

Why do dogs wag their tails? Wagging their tails means they are happy.

When dogs are happy, they want others to know they are there and ready to party! But there are times when a wagging tail can signal danger ('flagging'). It's dog-speak for 'don't come near, I'm afraid'. When a dog is wagging his tail slowly from side to side and the tail is stiff, coupled with showing the teeth and raising the hackles, it is not a friendly wagging, it is a danger sign.

A dog's tail can communicate all kinds of things, such as heightened awareness or interest, fear, defiance, confusion, or aggression. A dog with his tail between his legs is a submissive, fearful dog.

Is it true that a dog's mouth is cleaner than a person's mouth? All animals have a built-in immune system that helps them fight pathogens. Predators, especially, have an efficient germ-fighting saliva that will defend the body when they eat carrion or diseased prey. The saliva does, in fact, have some antibiotic properties. Human saliva does, as well.

Canine saliva, however, is much more acidic than ours, which makes it inhospitable to bacteria. So in a sense, it is true that a dog's mouth is cleaner than ours, but where they have about a thousand bacteria per square inch, we may have 10 000 in the same area. So it is cleaner, but it is not clean.

Peaceful Refuge

2007-12-03T23:14:00.001+08:00

This was Cebest, three years ago.

These are all Cebest's photographs that you see. I thought that I had thought that I did not have any more of his photographs. However, I was so happy that I had discovered a few CDs in my album just now. They contained photographs of my children and Cebest as well. They were so cute! My children were so chubby and small three years back. Now, they have really changed a lot, and of course, Cebest is no longer here.

He would not sleep long when placed in the basket. He would rather sleep on the floor!

I did not shop for any pet beds when I bought Cebest. However, if you have a puppy and you need to buy pet beds, you can visit Mammoth. MammothOutlet has various dog beds for sale. There are designer dog beds, orthopedic dog beds, luxury dog beds and many more. All their pet beds are of durable quality materials specially designed for dogs.

I did not buy any pet beds for my first dog too. I had always seen puppies and kittens placed in baskets. When I brought Cebest home the first time from the pet shop, I put him in a basket with a blanket over it. He did not like to spend much of his time in there. He liked to follow me everywhere I went. In the night, he would whine if he was left alone in the basket. Then I carried him on my bed. He loved to sleep on my bed.

On my bed, he could sleep soundly like what you see above. He could snore and even had dreams when sleeping on my bed.

He would not sleep at all on this sofa bed.

I had sewn a small bed for him too. However, he did not like it. He did not sleep on the bed which I had made for him, he even thought that it was a toy or some kind of any other furniture at home. He did not like the bed and he also urinated on the bed. That was very infuriating at first, after I had spent so much time sewing the bed for him. As he did not sleep on the bed at all, soon the bed was thrown away. I gave up the idea of letting him sleep on any pet beds. Our bed became his bed too. We shared the same bed and we were so much happier this way. He was happy, Richard and I were happy too. My bed was his favourite sleeping spot. Whenever he was tired, he would retreat to the room, jumped onto the bed. That was his place of shelter, his peaceful retreat where he would enter his dreamland.

Love Your Pets

2007-11-21T00:05:00.000+08:00

As soon as God had created Adam and then Eve, He created animals upon the earth to share in His joy. God truly loved everything that He had created. He blessed all the animals that He had placed in Adam and Eve's care. They multiplied and spread all over the earth. Animals were useful during those days. Animals were used to teach people about following God's will and animals were present at the time where Jesus Christ was born. There was a time when Jesus spoke of God's joy when a sinner turns from his sins. He said it is like the joy of a shepherd when he finds a lamb that was lost. God loves us so much that He would leave His 99 sheep, which are in no danger, to search out that one lamb that is in danger. Men and women who followed the teachings of Jesus also experienced the love of God through animals. There are many stories of how the Saints were able to talk to the animals!

People have often depended upon their animals to help them in their work. They have used horses to carry them from one place to another. They have used their oxen and donkeys to help them plow their fields. Sometimes, they used birds to carry their messages to distant lands. They have used dogs for hunting, and also for looking for people who were lost. For thousands of years, people have kept animals as pets. Some of the first pets were cats and dogs. Pictures of cats and dogs were seen in ancient caves and in the pyramids!

People also keep birds to listen to their beautiful songs and to look at their beautiful colours. They have kept fish in ponds and eventually inside their house as well. Today, people keep all kinds of different pets, such as dogs, cats, snakes, lizards, canaries, hamsters, spiders, pigs, parrots, rabbits, chinchilla, and so on. Animals that once were only found in distant jungles have found a place in our homes!

If we have brought all these animals into our homes and have made them our pets, then we have a special responsibility to take care of them. That means that we should make the commitment to do everything we have to do to take care of our pets. We should never forget to feed them or clean up after them. For example, we need to clean its cage or its tank, even if they began to smell. We should not forget to feed our pet with fresh water and food. Fresh water from the tap should be given or water from our own consumption should be given to our pet. However, I had seen many owners who are very busy with work. Many times, they had neglected their pets. If they have maids at home, the maids are the one who bring the dogs to the park for a walk. The maids are the ones who bring the dog to the bathroom for a bath. The maids are the ones who give the dogs fresh water and food. Busy owners who have no maid at home will put their dogs in cages. Some of my insurance clients have their pets locked up in their bathroom when they go to work!

We should remember that God created all these animals and He loves them. When He first created animals, He had Adam to give them names as a sign that he was placing them in his care. Now, we are the ones who give our pets their names, and we are the ones who are to take care of them. Whenever we call our pet, we should remember that it depends upon us for its health and happiness, and we should never let it down. Treasure Your Pets when they are still alive.

Facts About Dog's Aging

2007-10-18T03:11:00.000+08:00

Dogs are living longer. Aging changes are inevitable. A curious phenomenon of aging is that while females that have been neutered become more aggressive, neutered males get less aggressive as they grow older.

The rate at which a dog ages is under the control of a biological clock, which is set at conception in the animal's genes. The clock mechanism is located at the hypothalamus -- a part of the brain that controls the body's hormonal system. As a dog ages, the brain produces ever smaller quantities of a chemical called dopamine, which is somehow involved in the aging process. If dopamine production is maintained, a dog lives longer. For unknown reasons, small breeds tend to be better at producing dopamine in their later years than are large breeds, and as a consequence usually live longer.

Normal Aging Changes
The natural changes that dogs go through as they grow older are similar to those experienced by people. By 16 years of age, about 20% of dogs pass urine or faeces in the house, with little or no warning, and for no medical or acquired behavioural reason. A quarter of all dogs of this age have altered sleep -- wake cycles; they sleep more in the day but less at night, when they are more restless, but not because they need to eliminate.

A dog's mobility is usually reduced in old age, and as a result it may appear less responsive to commands and may become more aggressive, choosing to threaten and bite rather than retreat. Over 70% of 16-year-old dogs become naturally disoriented, going to the wrong side of the door when asking to go out, getting stuck in corners, or simply staring into space. Some dogs develop a disease similar to human Alzheimer's.

Natural aging changes include reduced appetite, but this is also a sign of illness; if your older dog's appetite changes, consult your vet.

Mental Stimulation
Routine mental exercise helps to postpone the natural decline in brain power that comes with age. Give your dog regular mental stimulation through creative activities, such as rolling a toy that releases food. Maintain the dog's physical dexterity by giving it work to do with its forepaws. Massages are also beneficial -- they improve blood circulation to all parts of a dog's body, including the brain.

Aging and Illness are Different
With aging, dogs invariably slow down. In the absence of mental stimulation, the elderly dog becomes dull and lethargic, and its appetite may change. Similar changes also occur when a dog is unwell -- lassitude or depression is often how a dog's body respond to the stress of disease or injury -- so it is important to differentiate between natural aging changes and illness.

Here are some Ways To Delay Aging:

Provide short frequent walks rather than one long one.
Groom your old dog often; it helps circulation.
Feed it with smaller, more frequent meals.
Take your dog out after each meal, just before bedtime, and the first thing each morning.
Change your dog's diet according to its medical needs, and keep its weight within a normal range.
Provide warmth and comfort for sleeping and resting.

Dog's Ear

2007-10-16T00:00:00.001+08:00

Dogs can hear sounds too high-pitched for our ears. Their hearing is four times better than that of human. Their acute sense of hearing helps us with training.

A dog can locate a source of sound in six hundredths of a second, and it can hear sounds four times further away than a human can. Dogs are also better at hearing high-pitched sounds, and can detect sounds in the ultrasonic frequency range that are inaudible to humans. This requirement evolved in the dog's wolf ancestors, whose diet of large herbivores was supplemented with small animals, such as mice, that make high-pitched calls. For the domestic dog, however, acute hearing can be a disadvantage: some dogs have extremely sensitive hearing and develop a fear of certain sounds, such as the rumble of distant thunder.

Humans have exploited the keen hearing of dogs to make training and communication easier. Dogs respond quickly to the sound of a whistle or a clicker. For example, shepherds just need a whistle to communicate with their sheepdogs over great distances.

Useful Links
How To Clean Dog's Ears
Dog Ear Infection

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

2007-10-09T18:02:00.001+08:00

Originated in Great Britain in the 1900s, Cavalier is warm, gentle, affectionate, and graceful. Its coat may be black and tan, ruby, tricolour, or Blenheim.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the ideal urban dog. It is friendly, sporting, adaptable and prone to medical problems. The affable and energetic Cavalier is justifiably popular, partly because it is so accommodating to our moods. A Cavaliar is willing to curl up on a sofa in bad weather, but equally eager to walk and run for miles when the occasion arises. However, increasing demand for the dog has led to intensive in-beeding, which has caused substantial increases in lethal heart conditions. The life expectancy of affected dogs is reduced from 14 to just 9 years.

Physical Characteristics of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Head: Nearly flat between the ears. Well-developed lips.
Eyes: Large, round eyes contribute to the dog's sweet, endearing expression.
Ears: Long, with plenty of feathering.
Body: Small and well-balanced with a regal appearance; moves with a slight wave.
Tail: Well-feathered.

History
In the 1920s, an American, Roswell Eldridge, offered a prize to anyone exhibiting King Charles Spaniels with long muzzles, as they appeared in Van Dyck's paintings of King Charles II and his spaniels. By the 1940s, these dogs were classified as a unique breed and were given the prefix Cavalier, to differentiate them from their forebears.