Does It Bite?

This is probably the most asked question at the pet store, I hear it several times a day.

The Answer.......

Any thing with a mouth can BITE!!

And after having my hand attacked by an over zealous clown fish I can tell you it's true.  Now what you really need to ask is how likely is it to bite.  The answer to that depends on the animal and its personality.  I try to get to know the animals we have so when people ask me I can give the most honest answer I can.  They all seem to have their little quarks.  For example I would say a Guinea Pig is the least like pet to bite BUT... we had one that was the meanest little bugger around.  When I would reach into his cage to get the food bowl he would charge at me teeth bared and ready to try and take a chunk out of my hand.    This was not a piggy I would sell to someone with little children despite piggies being one of the best choices for little ones.

Even pets that you have had for a while can bite you.  If a sudden noise scares your pet it might react by biting we see such incidents every year with dogs who are afraid of fire works.  If a pet is ill it might also react to handling by biting they simple have no other way to communicate.

I feel this is something we as pet lovers need to understand and something we need to be aware of when choosing a new friend and companion.  Nothing will spoil a little ones love of animals faster then a bitten finger. (and yes I know there are worse thing that can happen when a pet bites)

Chinchilla Taking a dust Bath

Well I hope this video works it's the first time I've tried posting a video.  We had a Chinchilla in the store she is now in her new home but I managed to take this video before she left. 

Chinchillas  instinctively clean their fur by taking dust baths.  The dust gets into their fur and absorbs oil and dirt. These baths are needed a few times a week. Chinchillas do not bathe in water because the dense fur prevents air-drying, retaining moisture close to the skin, which can cause fungus growth or fur rot... eww!

Common Sense, Concern or Crazy

A few days ago I was reading over at Cold Antler Farm , a wonderful blog by Jenna, a young lady taking on the challenges of farming by herself.  She found herself in a situation that made her rather furious at a gentleman who was concerned about her dogs.  She had them in her car after a trip to the dog park and stop to pick something up at the grocery store.  Long story short, the man (you can read the whole story at Cold Antler Farm) refused to believe the dogs were hot and tired from the play session at the dog park and told her he was calling the police.

Now we have to face facts there are a lot of people in this world who have pets who shouldn't.  If you don't believer me check out Animal Cops on Animal Planet and check out some of the horrific things people do to animals.  We should be glad there are people in the world looking out for the mistreatment of animals and help when ever they can...BUT people come on you have to use some common sense!

I have been working at a pet store for 4 years now and there is a definite lack of common sense when it comes to some people and animals.  I actually had a customer threaten to call the ASPCA because there the ferrets had poop in their litter box.  REALLY!
No offense but I take a great deal of pride in the fact that about 95%of the ferrets we sell are litter box trained before they go home... (the other 5% are sold as soon as they come in they're just so darn cute) and this lady was way out of line and certainly not using common sense.

SO for all you animal lovers out there consider before you act.  There are some cases where it is more then obvious that an animal is being abused but there are other time when you need to stop and think!  As in the case with Jenna and the Gentleman.

Stop and consider the animal in question ... Does he look abused is he all cut up, emaciated, does his eyes look clear, is he clean or filthy?  Look for signs of abuse before getting all bent out of shape.  As for the dog in the car scenario ...It's true that on a hot day the temperature can quickly climb above a dogs ability to cool himself off but at this time of year its not going to happen.  A little common sense is required here use your brains that's why you have them. Is the pet involved truly abused or is just not the way we would keep our pet?

There is a difference you know!

Cute Pic's From the Pet Shop

  I meant to get these up sooner but Christmas was very hectic, I worked extra hours and then got KO'd but a nasty cold.  So here are my Christmas cute pics.

Because of the habitat these parakeets are in, I don't get to spend a lot of time getting them use to people.  This little guy how ever was a brave little birdy and sat with me for several minutes before rejoining his buddies.... or would that be budgies LOL.

 

Meet BABY a beautiful Rottweiler that visits us often.  She is extremely playful and the biggest mush you will every meet.  Just say the word cookie and she will lead you right to them.

 

The ferrets stole my Santa hat.  If you look close you'll see two ... one is chewing on the pom pom the other is hiding inside you can just see her ear and a piece of her tail.