Cats and Dogs, Turtles and Frogs

Does It Bite?

2012-01-28T03:58:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-17T17:17:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-16T13:04:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-06T10:57:00.000-08:00

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.

2011-12-05T14:39:00.000-08:00

I've been working on a project at work. You see we get field trips in every now and then and it use to be one of us would walk with the group giving out all kinds of facts about the animals. Well the field trips still come in but we no longer walk around with them. So I'm creating a book for the teachers to use with all sorts of interesting animal facts they can share with their students.

I was a little stumped as to what I should put in for the fish since most the information would be a little too long and drawn out for little ones. While just say here are the fresh water fish, here are the salt water fish seemed way to boring.

So I went to chat with our fish guy and here are some interesting facts he shared with me.

Fish have been on Earth for over 450 million years long before the dinosaurs roamed the planet.
The largest fish in the world is the whale shark which can reach 50 feet long and the smallest is the Philippine Goby which is less then 1/3 of an inch as an adult
Though only .01% of the earth is fresh water, 40% of all fish species is a fresh water fish.
Some species of fish have little or no bones only cartilage ...think Shark

Well I still would like a few more interesting facts but this is what I have to start with. If you know of any fun fish facts that would interest preschoolers or kindergarteners let me know.... Okay?

Hypothermia in Pets

2011-12-01T08:11:00.000-08:00

There are many pet owners who think that because their pets have fur coats they are well adapted to the cold weather. Unfortunately it is a false belief that can kill your pet.

Some pets Are well adapted to the icy cold of winter time. Large and medium long haired dogs can spend a great deal of time outside and be perfectly happy. While small dogs and cats will feel the cold a lot quicker.

Would you recognize if your beloved best friend was being severely affected by the cold? Hypothermia, or a body temperature that is below normal, is a condition that occurs when an animal is not able to keep her body temperature from falling below normal. Here are some of the signs of hypothermia, just in case you left you pet out a little too long:

Mild Case

shivering

depression

lethargy

weakness.

More Serious:

Stiff muscles

slow heart rate

slow breathing

Not responding to stimuli

If your pet is showing any of these signs wrap him up in a warm blanket consider a heating bottle wrapped in a towel to help warm him up. Then call your vet immediately.

Of course prevention is the best medicine so go outside with your pet. If you start feeling cold then they probable are too. Thought with very small pets go in before you feel cold.

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T04:57:00.005-08:00

May everyone have a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving! Don't forget to keep those turkey bones away from you cats and dogs so they may have a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving too.

How To Choose a Pet... 10 Things to Keep in Mind

2011-11-18T13:06:00.000-08:00

There are many things to consider when choosing a pet. Many things need to be considered for each specific pet, but there are some that need to be considered for EVERY pet on the market. By considering these factors first you will be able to narrow down the massive pet selection that is available to help you find the right pet for you.

1. How much room do you have? Do you live in an apartment, condo, or house? Does the house or condo have a lot or a little yard space? The question of space is very important. If you have tons of space you will have tons of options if you only have a small space you are more limited on what you should choose. You wouldn't want to try and shove a Great Dane into a small one room apartment now would you? .

2. How big will the pet get? Keep in mind that most pet stores are selling pets as babies or juvenile and they are going to grow and while that little tiny green iguana seems like the perfect choice he will eventually grow to a maximum size of 6 feet.

3. Rules of the House. If your living in a rented space there are usually rules as to what if any pets you may own. You should always consult your landlord before even considering a pet. We had a young lady come into our store with a $1500 dog she bought from a pet store in the mall. When she left the mall she Then called her landlord to see if it was ok for her to have the dog. He said NO you already have one you can't have a second. When she tried to return the dog they wouldn't take it because she had already left the store. She was out $1500 because she didn't check with her landlord first.

4. How much will it cost to care for your pet? The actual pet is usually the cheapest part of the purchase. A red eared slider costs anywhere for $5 to $30 but the habitat will cost $150 + just for the initial setup. Then there is the cost of food in the case of the slider frequent water changes, replacement habitat supplies, vet care, pet sitters if you ever plan on going on vacation and plenty of other unforeseen costs that can add up. Even in the best of times people can become overwhelmed with the cost of their chosen pets care.

5. Does anyone in the home have allergies. You can have the doctor do an allergy test or just hang around the animal of choice and see if you get the stuffy sneezy and watery eyes of allergies. Buying a pet only to find out someone is allergic can be an emotionally painful experience, especially if it is a young child who my feel responsible for the loss of a new found friend.

6. How much Time do you have? Some pets require lots of time and attention. Ferrets require at least two hours of playtime a day and guinea pigs can become severely depressed if left alone for long periods of time. While a tarantula doesn't care a wit if your there or not as long as he gets his crickets. Make sure you match the time you have to spare to the time it takes to care for and play with your chosen pet.

7. Are there any Big changes coming your way. Now you can't plan out your life perfectly but there are some major changes you will know is on the way. You aren't going to suddenly wake up married ..... unless your in Vegas. You know 9 months ahead of time if there is a new addition on the way. Major changes are not only stressful for you but for many kinds of pets as well. Dogs can get stressed out over unfamiliar situations where as a gecko probably won't even notice as long as his heat lamp comes on and food is plentiful.

8. How active are you? Do you need a high energy pet to keep you busy or are you looking for the sedate pet that will lounge around with you while you watch tv? The right kind of dog can make a great jogging buddy or maybe a tear around the house chasing the toy your carrying cat or ferret will make your day. Maybe you just want a lazy guinea pig or bearded dragon that will sit on your lap while you watch CSI. How much you want to move it will affect which pet is best for you.

9. Do you already have a pet at home? When considering multi-pet ownership you want to make sure your pets don't clash ... and I'm not talking about their colors. You need to decide whether or not the friend you have will hunt or be hunted by the pet you are considering. Remember that even thought they all have been breed as pets they still have strong instincts. Do you really want to leave that $300 pineapple conure alone with that pussycat.... kind of an expensive meal for the cat don't you think? Also don't forget that some breeds of dogs were created to hunt specific small animals ... so you might want to think twice before leaving that rat terrier alone with your hamster.

10. What is the pet's life span? Some pets like mice and hamsters only live a couple of years. Others like the African Grey or Russian Tortoise can live from 50 to 70 or more years. Are you ready for such an early loss or life long commitment or do you want something in between say a dog or indoor cat at 10 to 20 years.

You need to consider all these things before narrowing down your selection. You should never walk into a pet store a buy a pet you know nothing about just because it's just happens to be the cutest thing you have every laid eyes on.

Caring For A Betta Fish

2011-11-03T08:06:00.000-07:00

Meet Uncle Sam

Sorry about the picture quality it's really hard to get a good picture of a fish, he just wouldn't sit still and smile for me.
Anyway this is Uncle Sam he's a present for my Hubby who wanted a little fish for his office. I love betta fish they are probably the simplest pet in the world to take care of and the ONLY fish that can truly live in a fish bowl.

YES I KNOW

The picture on the bowl and those little tanks (the ones under 10 gallons) show gold fish in them. But don't for a minute think they are going to live out their full life in those bowls. Yes I know there are people out there who say they were able to keep one in a bowl for a couple years but since they can have a life span of 10 or more years, a couple is death in childhood to them.

Anyway sorry got off track there....

Betta fish have a life span of 2 or 3 years. they don't require a heater or a pump though a low flow pump is good for water circulation ( that black thing behind the fish is a small filter). You can set up the bowl with what every decorations you want. We have two live plants and a half a hollow log for him to hid it.

Make sure it is not in direct sunlight since this will encourage algae growth.

You want to either get a betta water conditioner which is a solution that takes the chlorine out of the water or let the water sit for 24 hours before adding the fish which will allow the chlorine to evaporate.

About once a week remove 10% of the water from the tank and replace it with fresh water. This helps in two ways. First if you empty all the water you kill of the good bacteria that have started to develop which help keep the tank in balance. By only removing 10% you leave them in. 2nd you remove excess minerals, left behind by water evaporation and excess waste. Because of the small sizes of betta tanks I recommend going out and buying a Turkey Baster to help remove water from the tank. The turkey baster allows you to reach the bottom of the tank where the fish waste sinks but doesn't remove an excessive amount of water. Don't forget to de-chlorinate the water before adding it to the tank.

Last feed him every other day. He has a little tummy don't feed him an Supersized meal, a few little pellets is all he need.

Last But not least DONOT place him with another Betta Fish one of them will end up DEAD.

Curing Night time Cat Behavior Problems

2011-11-02T11:36:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine asked me how to keep her cat from waking her up at night. Having just finished getting my cat to stop I know what she is going through. So I offer the following advice.

Please be aware if this is a new behavior you may want to take your furry friend to the vet to make sure there isn't something wrong.

First thing you want to do is keep him busy during the day. Play with him throughout the day, give him windows to look out of, pet him, leave out toys, give him a good brushing and if he is willing you can try hooking him up to a harness and take him for a walk. (for some cats this takes some getting use to.)

Make sure he has food available all day. Unlike dogs, cats eat little meals all day long so make sure he has food available so he is not waking up due to hunger. Along with this make sure you don't feed him right after you wake up. You will be sending the message that wake up time is feeding time and he will wake you to feed him.

Don't give in. This one is hard and may take some time but you have to pull those covers over your head and completely ignore him during the time you want to sleep. Even yelling at him is giving him the attention he is looking for. Eventually he will get the message! It also helps to make the room as dark as possible as they don't see well in complete darkness. That means get those bright led electronics out of the room and some nice dark curtains on the windows. Though once again if its a new behavior go ahead and check it out he may be ill.

Last if all else fails Close the Door. If you cat just isn't getting the message then its' time to set him up a sleeping space somewhere else and shut him out. You may have to work at this one too since having him yowl outside the door won't help you sleep either. Try placing something in front of the door like a prickly mat or double sided tape on the door if he is scratching (trust me they hate getting sticky stuff on their paws).

It will take some time to retrain your best friend but it will be worth the effort.

Interesting Ferret Fact

2011-11-02T08:03:00.000-07:00

Did you know that while Ferrets are a welcome pet here in Long Island but are illegal in New York City?

I get customers in every now and then from the city or the Bronx and they always seem surprised that we are selling Ferrets. For a while now I've been wondering why they were illegal so I looked it up on the NYC Department of Health page where I found this press release:

HEALTH DEPARTMENT STATEMENT ON
MAINTAINING BAN ON FERRETS IN NYC

The New York City Board of Health voted unanimously today at its quarterly meeting to establish in New York City a list of animals which are prohibited as pets in New York City. The Board of Health is the official body authorized to enact the New York City Health Code. The list voted on today includes ferrets, which have been banned as pets under the Health Code's provision prohibiting ownership of wild animals (Section 161.01) since 1959. Public safety is the significant concern.

Ferrets are known for their unpredictable behavior, and they are prone to vicious, unprovoked attacks on humans. Ferret attacks reported nationwide over time have become notorious for their severity and capriciousness, causing serious injuries to some infants and young children in particular. In New York City's multiple dwelling residences, which are not natural habitats of ferrets, a ferret could crawl through holes in walls or travel along risers or ducts to other apartments, with potentially tragic consequences for the neighbor of a ferret owner.

Given careful consideration of what is known now, it would be irresponsible from a public safety perspective to allow a ferret to be kept as a pet in New York City.

Makes them sound like some kind of vicious man eating monster just waiting for the chance to escape and devour small children with relish, doesn't it?

Truthfully when they are young they do bite and claw but no more then a puppy or kitten. Personally having been bitten by all three the ferret bite is the least painful of the bunch. Just like puppies and kittens, Ferrets were once predators and in the wild they still are. Like pet pups and kits, as pets they eat a specialized diet made just for them. They LOVE to play and if you don't keep their nails trimmed they can give you a really good scratch as they grab hold of your arm to get picked up.

Unlike a puppy or kitten you need to keep an eye on them when outside of their cage since they love to explore and can fit through small holes. They also like to burrow so the under side of your couch or box springs are a tempting hiding place. They also like to carry off shiny things so keep an eye on your keys.

They use a litter box just like a cat and if you keep it clean (and they have been fixed and descented) they smell no more then a dog or cat.

So if your lucky enough to live somewhere they are legal then they are definitely worth considering. AS always check out petfinders.com to see if there are any at the local shelters up for adoption and save a life.

Getting Your Dog Ready for Winter

2011-11-01T04:54:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again and all the winter clothes are on the shelves not just for people but pooches too. If you have a small dog with little hair or take long winter walks with you best bud then its time to start shopping to keep him warm and toasty this winter.

Smaller dogs have a harder time keeping warm since they have less body mass to keep the heat in. If you home is as cold as mine in the winter you may consider getting them a sweater to keep the heat in. You may also want to consider a water proof outer layer for going outside make it one size larger then the sweaters so you can layer it over the sweater for extra warmth. Not sure what size to get the stop by one of the pet stores that love to have four legged visitors and let them help you find the right size.

For doggies going on long walks consider the water proof outer layer, even for big dogs if they are short haired or not one bred for cold climates, to keep them warm.

Last get some doggie boots to protect you best buddies paws from ice getting between the pads and the nasty salt some people use on their sidewalks to melt the snow. It can burn your pets tender pads. If you are going to forgo the boots then make sure you inspect and clean paws after a walk, making sure to get in between the pads where irritants can hide.

Pumpkin for Pooches

2011-10-29T05:53:00.000-07:00

Pumpkins are everywhere right now. So they inspired me to share this high fiber treat for your Best Buddy. It is also good for dogs who might have runny poopy to help firm things up a bit. Though if it's persistent then you need to see your vet to rule out parasites or other problems.

2 teaspoons pumpkin puree
1 tbls cream cheese
1/4 cup corn flakes or high fiber cereal

In a bowl, mix the pumpkin and cheese and roll into a ball the coat with the cereal.
Serve as a treat or store in the fridge till later.

Makes One treat

Teething Puppies

2011-10-27T02:58:00.000-07:00

We have had a lot of new puppy parents coming around lately and they all have the same problem. Their new buddies is chewing up everything in sight.

Just like Human babies, puppy's mouths hurt when those new teeth come in and they are just looking for a way to relieve the pain. I have two solutions for you:

1. If you haven't already purchased one get a Kong toy for puppies.

Now fill it with peanut butter and freeze it solid. The Kong is a very tough toy designed for heavy chewing... I've had mine for about 8 years now and it's been through 2 dogs. The peanut butter helps keep them interested in chewing on the Kong and the cold soothes your puppies sore gums.

2. A second option is to take a clean washcloth and get it damp. Then tie a knot in the middle and freeze. It will serve the same purpose as the Kong in numbing puppies sore gums and the texture of the washcloth will massage them.

Rex The Turtle

2011-10-24T14:33:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I posted pics of Rex and I was having a lovely chat today with a couple who also owned Red Eared Sliders and I didn't have a picture to share so I told them to stop by.

These aren't the best pics Rex was being camera shy

and when I tried to hold him my son put his finger in the picture.

Boots The Cat Says

2011-10-22T12:19:00.000-07:00

Sit Back and Relax Man

Cute Pics From the Pet Store

2011-10-20T09:16:00.000-07:00

Don't bother me can't ya see I'm sleeping

Peek A Boo

Mice Mice Everywhere
The best day to watch mice is right after the cage is cleaned they are completely nuts

It's National Adopt a Dog Month

2011-10-03T04:54:00.000-07:00

Welcome to National Adopt a Dog Month.

Since it is Adopt a Dog Month I am finally going to post something that has been bugging me for a while. This is the one post I hope will go viral and reach everyone.

HOW TO STOP PUPPY MILLS

Puppy mills exist for one reason and one reason only... profit! They want to make some fast cash and they don't care about the animals they hurt to do it.

The only way to stop a puppy mill is to take away their profit and its a lot easier then you think. All you have to do is when you decide to get a new companion for your family DON'T go to a pet store this is where most mill dogs are sold. I don't care what they tell you about where they got the dog!

Do you think a store that is selling puppy mill dogs are going to be honest with you?

Instead go to your local shelter and adopt a dog. Not only will you be giving a much needed home to a wonderful companion but you will be saving the life of the dog that can now take his place.

I know what your thinking...

BUT I want a certain breed of dog or what if they don't have a dog I like? The answer is simple! Go to Petfinder.com

This wonderful site lets you search local shelters for your perfect New Best Friend. You can search by breed, age, sex, distance from you, whether or not its good with kids or other pets. It is a great (and did I mention FREE) service to people looking for a new dog.

If everyone started adopting dogs instead of buying the overpriced, inbreed and ill dogs from pet stores then PUPPY MILLS would collapse because they would stop making money off the dogs they don't give a damn about.

Still want a pure breed then visit The HumainSociety.org for a wonderful checklist you can take with you to meet your potential Breeder and help you avoid the pitfalls of a puppy mill purchase!

Indoor or Outdoor Cat ... a Message from Boots

2011-10-02T12:32:00.000-07:00

Hello all Boots the Cat here. Ya know when we get visitors to the house I may be hiding under the bed but I'm still listening. Every now and then someone tells my human that they should let me outside to play.

Now I'm here to set the record straight I'm perfectly happy right here inside where it's safe!

Our vet told my human that the average life expectancy of an outdoor cat is only 2 to 5 years while an indoor cat can live for 15 years or more. I remember my old friend Fitz he lived for 18 years before he got sick.

There are all kind of deadly things waiting for a house cat like me cars, dogs , coyotes or foxes just to name a few. There's also those little biting bugs like fleas and ticks just waiting for a nice furry guy like me to happen along.

There is also a bigger exposure to cat illnesses like rabies leukemia and distemper. Not to mention WORMS ... ew can you imagine those crawling around inside you? Just thinking about it makes me want to hide under the couch.

When my humans are watching the box with the moving pictures, I'm watching the birds but I'm still listening. They say there are people who watch dogs fight for the fun of it. Now I"m not a big dog fan, let me tell you, but that sounds cruel even to me. My owners were talking of how those people steal other people pets like small dogs and cats to use as bait. Can you imagine the horror.... out for a nice stroll, stalking a bird or mouse and someone grabs you up hauls you away from your comfy home and throws you to a dog who proceeds to rip you to shreds.....

NO Thanks I'll stay inside! Thanks for your concern I'm happy, healthy and well intertained by my big picture window and my playful owners.

Now if you have been letting your cat out and want to keep him safe and not missing the outdoors make sure he has a nice window seat to look out from.
Play with him often and when your not home make sure he has so toys to play with. I love my empty box to climb in and hide out. I also love paper bags and tissue paper is a blast. Don't forget the Catnip (send some to me to please I LOVE the catnip its just soooo purrrfect.)
Keep his litter box clean.
Spay or neuter them to help reduce the wanderlust and un wanted kittens
Last don't forget those vet checkups to head off any problems.

Thanks for listening I'm off to make one of those mad dashes that leave my humans scratching their heads and wondering what I"m up to. Hey I gotta keep them guessing right?

Flea Control

2011-09-30T12:57:00.000-07:00

We have had a lot of people coming in to the store lately looking for a way to get rid of fleas.

While there are several really good flea control formulas on the market there are reasons to try some natural remedies first. The reasons may be your own but here are a few. Its a Poison! Now most commercial flea formulas are designed to only kill the fleas and not harm your pets but you must use caution. We had tried one brand of flea collar on our cat and it made him drool uncontrollable. If you have little ones there is no telling what it will do to them. A manufacture can give you all the assurance they want but they have never tested it on children (an ethical impossibility) so they don't know! Last I haven't met a pet yet that when you put those little drops on the back of their neck shake to dry themselves sending drops of flea killer everywhere but where you want it.

Try some of these non-pesticide remedies first.

1. Start with a bath and a flea comb. Make sure you suds up from the face down as the tenacious little buggers will move in that direction if you start from the other end. Get your fingers in and scrub making sure you get all the way to the skin. Then rinse, once again from the head down washing them down the drain. Then use a flea comb to remove any stragglers.

2. Take care of the carpets. Mixing four parts borax and one part salt can create a powerful flea killer for your carpets. Make sure to keep an eye on the kids around borax though, as eating it can be harmful. If you have a washing machine big enough go ahead and throw the dog or cats be in the with some borax to kill any hiding there.

3. Build your own flea trap using a shallow bowl and some soapy water and a light. Put the soapy water in the bowl and place it in the affected area. Place the light about 6 inches over the bowl and turn on the light. ( A small desk lamp works great for this.) Then leave on all night. The fleas will be attracted to the light.

4. Keep your yard clean of debris. It makes an excellent place for the little buggers to hang out while waiting for your pet to come by. Also try planting some pennyroyal, fennel, peppermint, rosemary or citronella which are natural bug repellents.

Now if there are any eggs they will hatch anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks so keep vacuuming and combing your pet and if any fleas are noticed time for another bath.

Is Your Doggie Driving you nuts?

2011-08-15T06:46:00.000-07:00

Try increasing his play time. Playing with your dog works wonders on their behavior. Not only do you both have a wonderful time but it helps cure boredom and helps calm him down. Now a couple of quick tips...
1. Play before your Rover can cause trouble not after. If you start a play session after he has done something he's not suppose to it will only reinforce the bad behavior.
2. Check the weather. If its going to be extremely hot or nasty out, get your play time done early or try some indoor games like hid and seek. Hide yourself some where in the house then call your dog and wait for him to find you. Then reward with lots of love.
3. Don't forget if your taking him to the local dog park take along some plastic bags for cleaning up that which comes naturally. Nothing recks a nice dog park faster then lazy people who don't take care of their doggies messes.

Now are you ready for some fetch?

Becoming an Expert

2011-02-01T04:15:00.000-08:00

It is not easy to become knowledgeable enough to be called an Expert. Right now I hold that title for small animals, birds and reptiles at work. I'll admit to having learned a lot working at Petco, but there is so much to know about these animals that I don't know if I should have the title of expert. So I do what any so called expert does. I keep learning more!

Now I'm working on becoming the Companion Animal Expert which means I have to learn fish as well and I have to know all the sections well enough that if one of my coworkers has a question I will have an answer or know where to look to quickly find it. I even asked for Freshwater and Saltwater Aquariums for Dummies for Christmas now I have even more reading to do lol.

Go ahead ask me a question if I don't know the answer I"ll find it!

Watch Those Paws!

2011-01-10T12:55:00.000-08:00

Baby it's cold outside and if your going to be taking our best buddy out for a walk don't forget to check those paws when you get back.

The Ice and snow can be harsh on dogs paws. It can build up between the pads and cause problems. There is also the salt people dump on their sidewalks to melt the ice. It's great for preventing slips and falls but isn't so nice on tender pads.

You have two choices:

1. Get some doggy foot covers they are available for all size dogs and will protect their feet from the elements.

2. Carefully clean your dogs paws after your walk making sure to get in between the pads where ice can build up.

Remember your dog can't tell you something is wrong and will keep going as long as his buddy wants. Its up to you to keep an eye out for trouble.

Cute Pics From the Pet Shop

2010-11-10T05:10:00.000-08:00

Here is a couple of our pet waiting to go home. The piggy was playing in my apron pocket while I cleaned his home and I caught the baby corn snake peeking over his log. Normally they are hiding under it and are very hard to see unless you go in and move the log.

Cute Pics From The Pet Shop

2010-09-14T06:37:00.000-07:00

Say Hi to the beardey. This bearded dragon just couldn't wait to say hi to us this morning. He stood up at the side of the tank an waved his little hand at us so he could get his breakfast.

Look Who Stopped In For A Visit

2010-09-07T12:01:00.000-07:00

Meet Ashley our new store dog trainer. She also breeds bearded dragons. This young dragon is one of her lady dragons who came for a visit in the store. Apperently she is so mellow that Ashley forgot she was sitting on her shoulder untilk she got to work. That's her story and she's sticking to it!

Cute Pics From The Pet Store

2010-09-02T08:14:00.000-07:00

I know I`m very behind on my posts and I haven't finished my posts for the pet turtles. I asked for more hours and I got them. Now we've been getting ready for the grand reopening and my turtle project has been moved back for that. Now I don't know when I will be having my turtle demo but I still want to post about the turtles since there are a lot of misconceptions about them.

We could learn a lot from our pets!

2010-08-03T10:12:00.000-07:00

When was the last time you felt this relaxed?
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It's Mine All Mine!

2010-07-26T08:35:00.000-07:00

To insure he gets plenty to eat our hoodd friend Knucklehead has decided to take a nap in the food bowl! (No I didn't give him that name Mike the stock guy did lol)
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Cool Reptiles

2010-07-25T06:42:00.000-07:00

I have been very busy at work lately. Mt hubby has been home for the last month so Ilve been working extra hours at work. Good for the bank account... Bad for blogging! But we went to the Muesum Of Natural History and they were having a live reptile exhibit and I took some great Pics with my phone (cause of course I forgot my camera) to share with you.
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Cute Pics From The Pet Store

2010-07-13T09:58:00.000-07:00

There is just something about watching gerbils eat that is so cute!

Cute Pics From the Pet Store

2010-07-13T07:26:00.000-07:00

There USA something extra cute about ferrets when they are sleeping. Yes that one is sleeping in his food bowl. I guess he wanted breakfast in bed!
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Meet the Babies

2010-06-15T06:49:00.000-07:00

We give Rex, our red eared slider fish to eat. It helps balance out her diet and gives her some much needed exercise. Well the fish have been hiding in the rocks that we used to create a basking spot for Rex.

Well they are so safe and well fed that they have been reproducing. Now we have 10 little baby fish swimming around in Rex's tank.

We think they have survived this long because they were too small for Rex to see and they have been swimming around him which has protected them from being eaten by the adult fish.

Worlds Luckiest Rat

2010-05-23T17:20:00.000-07:00

Meet Remy the rat.

The following story is true! It will be both Sad and Happy and if you have a sort of sick sense of humor and get puns then Funny too.

There were originally two rats in the store. They came in very small and to be used as food for pet snakes. (yes it's an unfortunate fact of working at a pet store that some animals are there for food). They were with us month after month and grew bigger and bigger.

One day we were having a little fun and started naming the animals after Disney characters. The rats had become very friendly with us and so we named them too. They became Remy and Emile named after the brothers in Ratatouille. They were with us for quite a while after they got their names and you could tell them apart even though they looked alot a like. Remy was more curious and would climb up on his house to get attention. Emile was more shy and would hide in his house but once you got him out he would love the attention too.

Well the unfortunate day came when someone bought them for their pet snake. If I had been there I would have hid them in the back but I wasn't and off they went. Well as they had been with us for a long time the snake could only eat one and Emile was then unlucky one. The snake however was way too full to even think about munching on Remy. The snake owner brought Remy back to the store and we put him in the back.

Our manager (who also had become rather attached to Remy and Emile) decided that Remy would not have to go through that again and we would adopt him out. Well adoption weekend after adoption weekend went by and Remy stayed with us. Well Last week someone came in who had another pet rat and after meeting Remy took him home as a play mate for her rat.

Congratulation Remy on your new home.

P.S. ... In case you didn't get the sick humor part several people I told this story too thought it was funny that the one that got eaten was Emile (A meal). Get it???

Dangerous Toys

2010-05-19T05:46:00.000-07:00

When cricket was a puppy he was an avid chewer. His favorite "chew toy" was the bushes that were around the yard where we lived in Arkansas. Despite any attempt to change his behavior he continued to pull those bushes out of the ground and chew them to pieces.

The final straw came on the Morning of the BLOOD SOAKED living room. I woke up one morning to find my living room looking like one of the crime scenes from CSI. Blood was splashed everywhere! I thought for sure the dog had had enough of Boot's sneak attacks and killed him. Then I heard a God awful noise coming from behind the couch and there was Cricket throwing up blood. I called the vet and took him over immediately and it turns out the my bush whacking dog had swallowed a piece of wood and had gotten a splinter embedded in his stomach. Well alls well that ends well Cricket is still with us I did have some major clean up to do and that of course brings us to today's topic.

Dangerous Toys

You and your dog may have very different views on what makes an excellent dog toy. Many commonly used dog toys can be quite dangerous, whether they are homemade, purchased or "found" (by your dog, usually without your knowledge). Often, the objects that dogs find most attractive are the very items that can most easily cause harm. In addition, many toys sold in pet shops and supermarkets feature small parts and decorations that fall off or can be chewed off. Such toys can choke your dog, so beware as you make your purchases, and be sure to replace toys immediately if they have parts that appear to be loosening or wearing out.

Here are details on some specific popular dog toys:

Balls

Yes that fun time doggy favorite, balls, can be hazardous to your dogs health if they are too small for the dog that is playing with them. If your dog is a slobber hound it can make the ball become slimy and slippery and it can slip down her throat and choke her. A Tennis ball is the best choice for your dog to play with because their size and fuzzy sides make them unlikely to be a choking hazard Check in your local pet store which has several different sizes to match the size of your dog.

Bones

If you choose to give your dog a bone from your kitchen, ensure it is big enough to prevent accidentally swallowing, NEVER give them poultry or rib bone that can splinter and get stuck in your dogs throat. The best bet is to buy a natural bone that is specially treated to be safe for your dog. Always supervise your dog while he is chewing a bone because bones can splinter and choke your pet, or cut the inside of her mouth and throat. If you notice he has broken the bone make sure you take it and the pieces away. If you think your dog may have ingested part of a bone, call your vet!

Stuffed Toys

If you have small children you should be avoiding stuffed toys all together. Your dog might not tell the difference between his stuffed animal and your child's. It can lead to bad feeling toward the dog is he chews up you young ones best friend. Most stuffed toys don't last long under the sharp teeth of your dog. If the toy has button eyes or other small parts that can come off, your dog can swallow choke on them. Also, even if the toy is labeled safe for children (and therefore for pets) the stuffing inside can be another choking hazard and possible intestinal problem if your dog swallows the cotton stuffing.

Rawhide Chews

While your dog loves to chew this stuff, it may not be good for her health. Depending on the quality of the rawhide and your dog's enthusiasm, larger pieces can break off and be swallowed, getting stuck in the intestines and causing blockages. This is especially true in puppies who should never EVER be given rawhide. In addition, if you have ever pick up a well chewed piece of rawhide you'll know it can get soft and slick at this point is can become a choking hazzard. Be careful which Rawhide you chose those not made in North America may have chemical residues that can be harmful to your dog's health. If your dog just can't part with her rawhide then choose the one that are chipped or compressed which will help avoid the broken pieces. The least you can do is make sure that you buy one that is the appropriate size for you dog, and always supervise your dog when he's enjoying a rawhide chew. When the size of the rawhide gets small enough that he can put the entire piece in his mouth, it is time to throw it away in order to avoid accidental ingestion.

When providing toys for your dog:

Purchase only pet-safe or child-safe toys. Ensure that the label is clearly marked with those designations and visually inspect the toy for small parts that could pose a choking hazard. Be certain that all toys are sturdy and securely sewn together, and replace any toys with parts that look loose or damaged.
Avoid toys that have ribbons, feathers, strings, eyes or other small parts that could fall off, be removed, chewed, and/or eaten.
Do not allow the dog to play with any object that could easily be swallowed.
Use nothing smaller than a ping-pong ball as a dog toy to avoid the possibility of her choking on it.
Avoid toys with sharp parts or corners.
Consider soft, stuffed toys, which should be machine washable. Check labels for child safety; a stuffed toy labeled as safe for children under three years old cannot contain dangerous fillings.

Small Animal Saturday

2010-05-15T07:11:00.000-07:00

How do I catch a escaped hamster?

Most times a hamster will come back to their cage on their own. Place the cage open on the floor (with a supply of fresh food), near its usual location. Leave it over night since Hamsters are nocturnal. Then check in the morning for your little runaway.

If this doesn't work you can try locating you little one by setting up a small pile of counted sunflower seeds in each room. Then count them in the morning. If he is still around he will be drawn to the food. Once you have narrowed down the room try setting up his home in there and wait once again. If you like you can wait up (you have to be very quiet) to close the door behind your hammy or check back in the morning to see if he is home.

Bringing Home Baby

2010-05-14T05:39:00.000-07:00

It amazes me how many people come into my work totally unprepared for the new pet they have brought into their lives. You should never bring home a pet based on the "AWWWWW Isn't he cute" factor. Here are some tips to help you get ready and then introduce your new family member in a way that makes those first exciting days go more smoothly.

1. Do your homework. This can be as easy as a trip to your local library. By reading about your new pet ahead of time you will be better prepared for the unexpected.

2. Ask The Experts Its always good to find others that either sell or own the pet your interested in. A good "Expert" will be able to discuss care and feeding, how long they will live, size, personality and possible health issues. This information will help you decide if in the long run you have picked the right pet.

3. Prepare for his arrival. Purchase all the food and supplies you need before you bring home your new pet. The basics will be different for different pets and your Expert can help you be prepared.

4. Pet-proof your home. If you are picking a pet that will have free range of your home make sure you to thoroughly pet proof his new surroundings. Make sure plants, especially those that may be toxic, are out of his reach. Also, don't let him near medicines, power cords cleaning products or standing water (like bathtubs and toilets).

5. Introduce your family slowly. Your new pet should meet family members one at a time. Some types of pets will be a one person pet and some will just be there for looks think lizards, some birds, spiders etc.

6. Provide regular veterinarian visits. There is a vet out there for every type of pet. A yearly check up will help insure you pet is healthy and you will know who to call if there is an emergency.

7. Groom your pet often. Many pets require regular grooming to look and feel their best, start basic grooming early, preferably on the day you bring her home, so she gets used to you handling her regularly. For the hairy breeds the grooming is much the same.

Brush and comb her fur weekly to help control mats and hairballs.
Brush her teeth twice a week to prevent tartar buildup, which can lead to other health problems. Be sure to use a toothpaste made for pets and not humans.
Trim her claws once a week with clippers designed for your pet, carefully avoiding the sensitive base of the nail.
Wipe her eyes and the insides of her ears with a damp cloth or cotton ball, looking for any excess grime, which could indicate illness.

8. Play with her daily. This obviously depends on your choice of pets, you will not need to play with some of them at all.

9. Give your pet a Bath Cats and dogs benefit from regular Baths it helps keep their fur smelling nice, gets rid of excess hair that can matte up and gets rid of cat dander to help visitors who might have allergies.

10. Never feed her human food. Avoid giving your pet" people food". Adding human food treats to your pet's diet may cause her to gain too much weight or become ill.

Now that your ready go bring home that new family member and enjoy.

Pet Cancer Awareness Month

2010-05-03T05:05:00.000-07:00

Did you know it's Pet Cancer Awareness Month. With our beloved friends living longer they are becoming susceptible to some of the same ravages of time that we are. Blue Buffalo is one of the Brands we sell over at the pet store and they are raising money to fight Animal Cancer. From their website on Pet Cancer Awareness I got these Pet Cancer Facts to share with you.

1.	Cancer accounts for nearly 50% of all disease-related pet deaths each year. Source: Veterinary Oncology & Hematology Center

2.	Cancer is the #1 natural cause of death in older pets. Source: Veterinary Oncology & Hematology Center

3.	Dogs get cancer at roughly the same rate as humans. Source: AVMA.org

4.	One in four dogs die of cancer. Source: MorrisAnimalFoundation.org

5.	Over 50% of the dogs over age 10 will die of cancer. Source: DogTopics.com

6.	Just like in humans, cancer can occur in virtually any part of your dog's body. Source: DogTopics.com

7.	Approximately 1 in 4 dogs develops a tumor of some kind during his lifetime. Source: AVMA.org

8.	The cause of cancer in pets, just like people, is largely unknown. Source: Veterinary Oncology & Hematology Center

9.	Common risks of obesity in pets include many forms of cancer. Source: PetObesityPrevention.com

I have also included some videos over on the left about Pet Cancer sponsored by Betty White.

It was cancer that finally got to my friend Fitzs at 18 years old and I miss him terribly.

Cute Pics From the Pet Shop

2010-05-01T11:32:00.000-07:00

He is just a sound sleeper he is not dead. Just thought I should mention.

Welcome to another edition of Small Animal Saturday!

Today we are once again going to talk about Hamsters.... Why? Because I got some really cute pictures this week at work and want to share. Also got a call from a customer who was concerned about her hamster's behavior.

On the phone the customer was worried because her hamster wasn't using his house and instead was moving all the bedding into his wheel and sleeping there.
This is perfectly normal hamster behavior. They are going to pick a spot they like and don't really care how cute or how expensive it is. They are rather like small children in this regard who would rather play with the big card board box instead of the over priced toy that came in the box. I explained that the hamster probably felt safer in the enclosed space of the wheel and as he got use to his new surroundings he would probably pick some where else.....then again maybe not!
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2010-04-30T13:28:00.001-07:00

I found this bit of fun over on Happy Healthy Families and followed the link back to One To Try. Well it sounded like jolly good fun so I'm giving it a shot. I hope to meet lots of you Friday Followers.

All you do is follow my blog, then click on the Friday Follow widget, and sign up with your blog on the Mclinky List, Then follow blogs already listed on the McLinky, and you will get followed back.

Happy 2nd Annual Save the Frogs Day

2010-04-30T05:40:00.000-07:00

I just read this morning that today is Save the Frogs Day. I didn't know if I should post this Here since its about frogs or on The Crazy Green Cheapskate because its ... so I'm compromising and posting it on both.
Frogs are one of the best indicators of whether or not an environment is healthy since they are the first affected by changes. If there are no frogs then you know something is wrong!

According to the ENN (Environmental News Network) There will be activities in 15 counties around the world. Including protests against restaurants that sell frogs legs. Apparently over 100 million wild frogs are captured and killed for their legs. YUCK!

Another thing they are trying to bring to light is the use of the herbicide Atrazine. which is linked to the chemical castration of male frogs. If you want to read the whole story check out ENN.

Small Animal Saturday

2010-04-24T17:38:00.000-07:00

Ok this Small Animal Saturday is not based on a question I was asked but something I experienced last week.

Lets talk Hamsters... I see people stop in with their little ones and ohh and ahhh over the ever so cute Hamsters. Then they ask me "Do they bite?" My answer is always..."Anything With a Mouth can BITE!"

Now a few days ago I was holding one of the Hammies and was petting him when someones dog barked and scared the poop out of the cute little guy. WHO proceeded to BITE the Crap out of me! We are talking Blood flowing and me trying to to swear in front of the little kids walking around the store.

Hammies have VERY sharp teeth. If you are thinking of getting on you should be ready for the chance that one of these little guys might get freaked out and in their panic will bite you. When someone is looking at one as a possible pet and they have children under 10 I always recommend getting a Guinea Pig instead. Guinea Pigs are larger, easier to handle and the least likely of all the rodents to bite.... notice I don't say never! I have had a Guinea Pig nip at me (he didn't draw blood). Because small children are going to react more strongly if they are bitten by their beloved fuzzy buddy a hamster should be out of the question. An older child can better understand the risks and will be better prepared for that possibility.

By the way my finger still hurts.

HEY WHO LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG??

2010-04-22T09:33:00.000-07:00

Boots the cat decided to repurpose my reusable bags into his new hideaway.

Small Animal Saturday

2010-04-17T15:23:00.000-07:00

I get asked this question quite frequently at the pet store so I'm posting it here.

Which Bedding is better the paper or the wood?

We use both types in the small animal habitats and I find that it depends on the type of animal you have. If you have a gerbil or dwarf hamster the wood bedding works fine the amount of urine these animals produce is minimal so there is no problem. But with the larger animals I feel the paper bedding is better since it is more absorbent. Wood bedding doesn't suck up as much of the moisture it just floats on top.

Now there are several different styles of bedding even in the paper style but something to remember is never use PINE or CEDAR wood as your pets bedding. They give off toxic fumes that can cause respiratory problems in your small animal.

Is Your Dog Ready For Summer?

2010-04-15T10:37:00.000-07:00

The heat is on! Time for long summer days playing in the sun, basking, jumping in the pool, digging holes and chasing those pesky birds and squirrels.

That's right summer is just around the corner and its time to get your furry friend ready!

Watch out for those hot, humid summer days, veterinarians recommend against leaving animals outside all day -- even in the shade. Unless your pet has a cool breezy outdoor area that is shaded throughout the day, he's safer indoors - especially during midday heat. It's important to remember that the shadows that your dog might take refuge in will move throughout the day and your best friend can become ill quickly if left in the sun to overheat.

It is especially important to bring in dogs that are elderly, very young or ill that have a tougher time keeping their body temperature constant.

Exercise is an important part of keeping your dog. However, overdoing it on hot day can cause your pet to overheat and put him at risk for heat exhaustion. It can also cause your dog sever pain as those hot sidewalks can burn his tender paw pads, especially in southern desert climates such as Arizona New Mexico and Texas.

The best time to get your buddy exercise is early in the morning or in the evening. Make sure you bring plenty of water and if he seems to be panting a lot or seems exhusted then take a nice break in the shade.

Make sure all his shots are up to date and if you haven't been using it, then its time to pull out the frontline, advantix or other flea preventative to keep your dog and you itch free.

Now for a nice summer treat to help keep your hot dog COOL:

Puppy Popsicle

Needed

Plastic Wrap
Paper Cups
Chicken Broth
Rawhide Sticks or other stiff stick like treat.

Pour Chicken broth into the paper cups and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Gently push the Rawhide stick through the plastic wrap. Place in freezer and leave there until frozen solid. Give to you HOT Dog to enjoy.

Cute Pics From The Pet Store

2010-04-13T08:32:00.000-07:00

Ok It's been a little while since I posted some cutties so here ya go.
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Small Animal Saturdays

2010-04-10T17:14:00.000-07:00

Can old newspapers be used for bedding material for my gerbils?

Newspapers are not a good choice for bedding for any small pets. When they pee on it the ink will run and get all over them. Not only will this be extremely messy but they may contain potentially toxic chemicals in the ink residues. They may also contain ingredients other than paper which can cause intestinal blockages or other problems. This goes for magazines as well, the 'glossy' finish can be highly toxic when chewed but your small pet.

Happy National Ferrets Day

2010-04-02T17:08:00.000-07:00

Yes its National Ferret Day. Come and join the fuzzy celebration. Here are a few Facts about these little bundles of joy.

Life Span: 5 – 8 years
Gestation: 42 days

Average Litter Size: 8

Hearing: Born deaf. Begin to hear at around 34 days.

Sight: Born with eyes closed. Eyes begin to open at around 34 days.

Weaning: 6 – 8 weeks

Color at Birth: All kits are born white, approximate adult color at 3 weeks of age.

Sexual Maturity: Reached at 5 to 6 months of age.
Weight (Female): 1.5 – 2.25lbs {.75 – 2.5lbs}

Weight (Male): 1.75 – 6 lbs {2 – 5 lbs}

Total Length: Female: 18 inches, Male: 24 inches (including tail)

An unspayed female ferret is called a Jill while a spayed female is a sprite. An intact male is a hob and a neutered male is called a gib. Baby ferrets are called kits

Ferrets can sleep so soundly that they cannot be woken up even when picked up and jostled. (see the second picture I picked that guy up today to put him in the carrier while I cleaned there house and he didn't wake up until one of the others jumped on him and bit his ear LOL)

A small ferret may be able to squeeze through a hole just over an inch in diameter.

Ferrets are members of the mink family.

Turtle Bank... A Product Review

2010-04-01T17:03:00.000-07:00

We bought this Turtle Bank for our turtle Rex to bask on. It was definitely large enough. Its a floating dock that uses magnets to hold it in place. It is suppose to sink a little to allow the turtle to climb up.

Unfortunately it doesn't work. It may work for a baby turtle but for our large Red Eared Slider Rex it was rubbish. He tried to climb up on it and as the edge he was climbing up began to sink under his weight the edge that was connected to the magnet on the outside of the glass started to pull away from the glass. Then it the magnet came lose and the floating bank flipped over taking Rex with it. We tried several time even trying to support the edge with the rock that is in there as decoration but to no avail.

If it had much stronger magnets it might work... Maybe not. But I'll be taking it back and will not be recommending it to any turtle owners I know.

$450 Dollers For A MUTT?

2010-03-23T17:07:00.000-07:00

There was a cute dog in the store today the owner said it was a Cockapoo. This is of course a cute name for a mutt breed from a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle. Out of curiosity I googled the Cockapoo and found you can spend any where from $450 - $1000 for one of these dogs.

This is so ridiculous I can't even believe it. Some one told me that its because they are new breed of dog but if that is true then why aren't they listed on the American Kennel Club list of Pure Breed dogs? Of course they aren't the only new Designer Mutts apparently anything you mix with a Poodle and give a cute name too is worth a fortune. Now There is the Snoodle, the Airedoodle, Boxerdoodle, Cavepoo, Eskipoo, Foodle, Laberadoodle.....etc.

Why would you spend so much money for a mutt when you can go to the pound and find the same type of mixed up doggies for about $70 for the adoption fee.

Maybe I should come up with a cute name for my mutt. He's a Chesapeake Bay Retriever/ Chow Mix...

Hummm Maybe a Chow Retriever.... His breed job could be to bring me snacks from the kitchen.

Small. Animal Saturday

2010-03-20T14:35:00.000-07:00

Welcome to todays edition of Small Animal Saturday. Today I would like to talk about something that would seem to be common sense but still happens anyway.

If you have a boy hamster and a girl hamster and you let them "play" together you will get babies! Even if you are keeping them in seperate cages. Hamsters are mostly solitary animalsand when you put the opposite sex together the only "playing" they will be doing will produce little ones!

Just Like these...
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Spring Is in The Air

2010-03-16T17:02:00.000-07:00

It was an absolutely beautiful day today. Even Cricket found a nice spot and just stretched out for a long nap in the sun.

I had to double check cause he was so still I couldn't even see him breathing and he wasn't chasing the birds lol.

Small Animal Saturday

2010-03-13T05:49:00.000-08:00

My rat was lonely and I want to buy a new one to be his companion. How do I introduce them?

Rats are very social animals but it can take up to several weeks to introduce a newcomer. It will take some time and patience. If it is possible, get your rat a litter mate or another rat that your rat lived with before. This will make introductions easier. If not then use the following steps to introduce your rats to each other.

1. Place both rats in separate cages and place the cages near each other. This will allow the rats to scent each other in safety. You don't want to place the new rat directly in with your old one since he will feel defensive and may attack the new guy to protect his territory.

2. After a few days switch their cages so they can get a close up scent of each other. Just for a short while then return them to their own home. Do this several times.

3. Next introduce them in a neutral location like the bathtub, large box …etc. Watch for aggressive behavior such as puffing up the fur, arching their backs swinging their bodies sideways, I've even seen them whack their tails on the ground. If you see signs of aggression then carefully pick up one of the rats to prevent an attack. Use a towel to prevent bites. Then try again later.

4. If they have reached a point where they are accepting each other in the neutral territory then the next step is to let them interact in the area where you play with your first rat. Once again watch carefully.

5. Finally.., Thoroughly clean out the large cage, make sure you clean all the toys, the house, food and water dishes. Then rearrange it so it looks like a new territory. Trim your rats nails to help prevent scratching. Wash your rats with a mild shampoo to give them a nice clean scent that is the same for both of them. Then place them in their clean cage. Its best to do this in the morning when rats are sleepy.

Now be ready there will be some dominance behavior. The dominate rat will "attack" the submissive rat and force him onto his back. This is normal rat behavior, someone has to be the head rat. Watch for the raised hair, arched back, and sideways approach that are signs of aggression. If so, remove one of the rats but if no signs of aggression then leave them together.

Don’t worry if one rat is squeaking it doesn't mean it's getting hurt. This is just a rat's way of saying "I give up". As long as you have followed the introduction process step by step, and as long as neither of the rats are showing signs of aggression, the just let the fight run it's course. If you take the new rat out, you'll prolong this adjustment phase.

If however is it appears that the attack is especially vicious or one of the rats is being injured then you should remove him from the cage. For a few days there may be dominance behavior but before long they will be rat pack mates sleeping eating and grooming each other.

Pet Shop Pics

2010-03-10T09:06:00.000-08:00

I've been rather sick the last few days so I haven't had the chance to update any of my blogs. Nor have I had the chance to make my comment for the comment challenge. I even missed Small Animal. Saturdays. I hope to make up all of that this weekend since I don't have to work but until then here are some cute pet Pics for you to enjoy!

Meet The Abandon

2010-03-05T16:49:00.000-08:00

Every now and then someone decides they don't want their pets anymore. They bring them in and leave them usually without tell anyone. They just drop and run.

There two little ones we left in a plastic container on a counter in the store.

This big guy was left in a croc bag under the reptile enclosure.

And this beautiful Chinchilla was dumped in a shopping cart and left in the store.

We adopt out the pets that get dumped in our store once they have seen the vet. But you have to wonder why someone would take a pet and just dump them like that. I'm very torn! Part of me feel "how can you be so cruel to your pet" the other part says "well at least they dumped them someplace they will be well taken care of."

If you know of anyone that for what ever reason can not continue to care for their pet then please tell them about PETFINDERS.COM.

They can use this free site to find local shelters in their area based on the pet they have. By contacting these shelters they can get help getting their pets adopted into a loving family.

He Lies In Wait

2010-03-02T05:28:00.000-08:00

Watch Out He's waiting for you

Duck past if you think your fast enough

I'll get you My Pretty

Boots the cat loves to attack my hubby every time he tries to walk into our office. We hung his door perch on this door because its the only place it really fits and we can still get past it. So every time my hubby comes in to do his homework he risks getting a whack from Boots. The first couple times it happened he had no warning. Boots just popped out and smacked him in the back of the head as he walked past. Now its a constant concern for him as he tries to get to the desk. The funny thing is no matter how riled up he is he won't attack me.

I'm having a great laugh at my hubby's expense everytime I hear Damn it BOOTS!

Small Animal Saturdays

2010-02-28T09:25:00.001-08:00

Ok I know it's Sunday but as they say Better Late Then Never.

This question was asked the other day: How do I keep my Hamster from biting me?

You need to earn his trust to get him to stop. If he is biting you then he is afraid of you. Remember rodents are food for lots of other animals and they are afraid of everything. To earn his trust try the following steps.

1. Give him a couple of days with out handling him. This will allow him time to relax.
2. After a couple of days offer him a treat with one hand while gently petting his back with the other. Make sure you wash your hands so they don't smell like anything eatable.
3 After a couple of days with the hand feeding try picking him up make sure you scoop him so that you are supporting his hind legs this will make him feel more secure. If you are worried about being bitten again then try scooping him up using his house or a small box so you can hold him close to you and pet him with out getting your hands near his mouth.

Also make sure he has a chance to fully wake up before trying to pick him up ;)

It may take a while before he feels secure with you but take your time and you will be able to hold him without getting bitten.

Small Animal Saturdays

2010-02-20T15:48:00.000-08:00

Hello all Welcome once again to Small Animal Saturday.

A question I often get asked at work is what is the best size cage for my "Hamster.. Guinea Pig... Mouse..ETC." There is only one way to answer this question. The Largest size cage you can get for the size of space you have at the price you can afford!

If you have the space and cash to buy a larger house for your pet then do so. It gives them more room to explore and you more flexibility to create an interesting environment for your new friend. At the same time if you have a limited budget then a smaller home is ok too. Just be more creative about how you entertain your friend. Get a rodent ball to all them to roam the house while keeping him safe or create a table top play ground to explore with toilet paper or paper towel tubes for tunneling and blocks for climbing just remember to place a barrier around the edge to keep him safe and make sure you are supervising him at all times.

Help My cat might be plotting to kill me.... Is Yours?

2010-02-19T16:45:00.000-08:00

Meet Taffy

2010-02-11T16:04:00.000-08:00

This cute Terrier is Taffy a wonderful dog that likes to come visit us at Petco. He is extremely friendly and just can't wait to get lots of love from everyone he meets.

Taffy came in for a visit Wendesday during the lovely snow storm we had. As I was chatting with his owner about how having a small animal in the house with Taffy was not a very good idea since Terriers are bred to hunt and kill small fast moving animals. Taffy's owner mentioned that Taffy really liked going by the kitties we have in our store for adoption. She asked me if I would like to see something funny. At this exact sec... just as she finished asking... Taffy proceeds to lift his leg and pee.

It was a comic moment you just can't plan. I couldn't stop laughing it was too perfect. Now dogs peeing in the store is nothing new its one of the hazzards when you have someplace your allowed to bring your pets. So armed with clean up supplies I let Taffy's mom know that it was ok and that Taffy had just made my day.

Small Animal Saturday

2010-02-06T17:44:00.000-08:00

Can you find the Pet in this picture

Ok I have to admit that this is not the best picture but there is a mouse in there can you find it?

Petfinders.com

2010-02-04T17:47:00.000-08:00

If you are considering getting a new pet then Petfinders.com is a must for you. You can find any pet you can think of through this wonderful site. It is a place where all your local shelters come together to find kitties, puppies, bunnies, birds, lizards, Guinea Pigs, and Even Barnyard Animals new happy homes.

They also have a learning center to help you find all you need to know about your new family member. With everything from behavior to nutrition you will be ready to deal with any situation that may come up. This is such a great site that I will be adding a permanent link for anyone looking for a new Bestest Best Friend and everyone know that adopted pets are best.

2010-02-03T05:48:00.001-08:00

Fitz 1991 - 2010

My best friend died yesterday and I can't talk to anyone about it. Every time I try, a giant knot forms in my throat and the words can't get past it. He left my life the same way he came into it meowing all the way. He was the noisiest little bundle of fur you could possible imagine. He was my awwww pet. You know the one you get when you see them and they are just so cute you buy them without thinking ahead. He is the one I broke the rules for since I was living in a military dorm at the time and pets are a no no. Now if I had thought ahead, if I had had any rational thought at all he would have never come home with me. Why would any rational person get the loudest cat conceivable when you live in a place where you aren't suppose to have pets at all? We managed though. He lived with my little sister for a short while and my parents too. My hubby and I bought our first home and the first thing we did was to retrieve my buddy and bring him home. He was with me for so long …. longer then my kids have been alive…. longer then I've been married…. almost all of my adult life. Now he's gone. No more meowing to eat in the morning… No more fluffy furball in front of the computer screen when he wants attention. … No more help with the laundry. Just a quiet Nothing that fills the house.

Small Animal Saturday

2010-01-30T16:25:00.000-08:00

How Often Do You Ba th a Guinea Pig?

This is a question I am frequently asked at the pet store. The fact is you don't.

Most guinea pigs don't like the water. A Bath can actually result in stress that can be unhealthy for your pet and they should not be bathed unless they absolutely need it.

Instead try one of the following:

Powder baths can be sprinkle on and brush out with a bristle brush.

Spot clean fur with a washcloth and warm soapy water.

Small Animal Saturday

2010-01-25T11:59:00.000-08:00

Mice As Pets

Welcome to the first edition of Small Animal Saturday. Yes I know I'm a few days late. I composed this on Saturday and forgot to post it.

Today I would like to talk about having a mouse as a pet. There is no thing more comical at a pet store then watching a bunch of mice running around their enclosure.

It is highly entertaining to watch as several of them try to run in the exercise wheel at once. They are cute little bundles of fur but they are also one of the stinkiest pets you can buy. This is definitely something a new mouse owner needs to be aware of. We had a couple of mice dumped in our store. The owners weren't prepared for the care the mice required. The cage was filthy and they had shoved dryer sheets into the cage. The chemicals could have killed them. They didn't realize that a pet mouse may require having their cages cleaned several times during the week. You can also try a light layer of baking soda in the bottom of the cage to help control the odor. Don't think I am trying to talk you out of a pet mouse they can be a cute addition to your family if you are prepared for them. Not to mention I would love to see more go home as pets instead of the alternative.

Weirdest Goldfish I've Ever Seen

2010-01-12T06:37:00.000-08:00

I saw the goldfish the other day and thought I'd share.
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Do you want the Good News First of the Bad News?

2009-12-30T05:59:00.000-08:00

Well we will start with the bad new first.

No one had any questions for me for my Small Animals Saturday. So I'm going to start collecting questions I receive at work for my Saturday Posts.

Now for the Good News: .....................................(Dramatic Pause).......................................

I passed my Small Animals Test and now I'm a certified Small Animals Specialist for my Store.

"Yea Woo Hoo Lots of Clapping"

My Next goal is Reptile Training to get my Certification in that. Go Team Go!

I hope everyone one had a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Yule
Winter Solstice, Pancha Ganapati, Kwanzaa, Yalda, and Dies Natalis Solis Invicti.

There I think I covered all the winter Holidays. What every you celebrate at this time of year I hope it is Joyous.

Cricket Says "What the Heck Is THAT???"

2009-12-02T17:25:00.000-08:00

Today's story is about thinking before you buy!
If you take a close look at the pictures you may notice a small bundle of fur at his feet. That is a pure breed Yorkie. No we will not be keeping him, He will be going to live with my Sister in law. But how he came to be spending a few days with us before arriving at his new home is an interesting story.
I was at work and a young lady entered the store carrying this cute bundle of fur. She asked if if we could take the puppy. It was appearent that she really liked the puppy so asked why she wanted to give him up. She explained that she had purchased the puppy and as she was taking him to the car decided she should contact her landlord to make sure she could have a dog. He told her No Way! So she went back into the store to return the dog and they told her they would not take the dog back because she had already taken him out of the store. She had no Idea what to do but had heard we take in unwanted animals and didn't want to take it to the pound. Every one started making calls. To see if anyone could take the puppy finally I called my inlaws and they were more then happy to take him in.

The moral of the story...... Do a lot of thinking before you purchase a pet. Try to take every part of your life into consideration. How much space do you have, how much time and care will he need? If you rent or are part of a community such as condos what are the rules for pets. Never buy a new pet on impulse!
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Small Animal Certification

2009-11-16T06:05:00.000-08:00

Well as you may or may not know I'm working on getting my small animal certification. I'm hoping to get your help to improve my knowledge of small animals. That being said I'm starting Small Animal Saturdays. E-mail me your small animal questions to:

april9876@gmail.com

Every Saturday I'll post the questions and the answers. This will give me access to questions a customer might ask me and give me the chance to do some research while answering your questions on pets you have or are considering adding to your family.

Thanks for your help!

Cute Pics From The Pet Shop

2009-11-10T07:07:00.000-08:00

Here's one way to get breakfast in bed!
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I had a bad night!

2009-11-09T11:54:00.000-08:00

I woke up last night to find Fitz,my elderly cat, snuggled up in my arm. He hasn't done this in a very long while. He prefers sleeping in a box next to the computer. Now you may not think this is scary but I thought for sure that he had crawled into my arms and passed away! He wasn't moving and I couldn't feel him breathing. I was so relieved when he finally moved that I cried!

Happy Halloween

2009-10-31T14:16:00.000-07:00

I thought this shot of the Rose Haired Tarantula was particularly fitting for this creepy holiday!

Happy Halloween

Doggy Halloween Contest

2009-10-28T11:55:00.000-07:00

We had a doggy Halloween contest in the store on Saturday. There were some very cute dogs there. Including Dorthy and the Yin Man a cowgirl and a hot dog. The winners gave me permission to post their pictures so here they are. Three Birthday clowns complete with cake.

Sad News

2009-10-07T05:30:00.000-07:00

Poor Rosco died yesterday.

Our little frog that too so long to become a frog passed away. We don't know why. I found him floating belly up when I went to clean the tank and after making sure he wasn't playing dead I told the kids. Its funny that even a non-cuddle pet such as a frog can make you cry when they leave us but it does and we did. Here are all of Roscos photos to remember him by

Sorry there aren't any better pictures. It's funny how you go around thinking you have all the time in the world so you can get a better shot later and then it's too late.

Girl Scouts Rain Forest Project

2009-10-02T05:10:00.000-07:00

Here is a little project I did for a friend of mine. She is a girl scout troop leader and her troop is setting up a display in the local mall. She asked me to build a home for some fire belly toads for their display and this is the outcome.
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How To Help a New Pet Adjust To Their New Home

2009-10-01T07:27:00.000-07:00

Lets face it moving to a new home is a stressful experience for anyone. If you are getting ready to bring a new pet home the move is just as stressful for them. But I know a few tips that will help you introduce your new family member that will help them feel more at home sooner with less stress.

Some of these tips will be easier to use then others and they can be applied to most pets with the exception of the exotics such as snakes, frogs, spiders and lizards.

The first thing you want to do is make sure their is a spot in your home that is just for your pet. Someplace they can retreat to when they need to be alone. It should be someplace where every family member understands is just for the pet. Whether it is a crate for your new puppy or a bed in a corner for your new kitten, or a plastic igloo for your new hamster or guinea pig they need someplace to escape too.

When you go to pick up your new family member get some of the bedding that is in the cage with your small animal. If you are getting your dog or cat from a reputable breeder see if you can drop off your puppies new bed a couple days early so it gets the scent of home on it. To help close down puppy mills make sure you know where your puppy or kitty comes from. Avoid pet stores because the only way to make sure of where your pet comes from is to get it from the breeder yourself. Now if your like me and get your pet from a shelter then check with the shelter to see if you can drop off the bed before pick-up.

Now to help get the pet use to you faster, before you bring them home take an old worn out shirt (one you don't want any more) and where it to bed (don't wash it). When you bring your pet home add it to their sleep area or cut it into pieces and add it to the small animal bedding. This will help them get use to you faster.

Last but not least and especially important if you have small children. Give your new pet some room to explore their new home with out being mobbed with attention. You should give small animals at least a week before you try handling them. (this of course depends on where you get them since some pet stores do an excellent job of handling their small animals) By giving your new family member some room to explore you will help prevent agressive behavior based on fear.

Did You Know ???

2009-09-29T04:58:00.000-07:00

Ok first things first here is an updated picture of Rosco and Kermit.

As you can see Rosco is now a full fledged frog. He is the smaller of the two. Both are doing well but I have since learned something about my little hoppers. They play DEAD!! When I first saw it I thought Rosco had injured himself. He was swimming around in a panic when I opened the tank to clean it next thing I knew he was floating belly up. It scared the crud out of me! I picked him up out of the water and laid him on the land part of the habitat. I watched him for a few minutes and first saw he was still breathing (WHEW). Then I saw him blink and his leg twitch. After a few minutes he got up and hopped behind one of the little plants. He has done it a couple times since and today when I was catching the frogs to clean their tank, Kermit did it too. I did a little research and found that they play dead to escape enemies. I don't know how well it works for that but it certainly makes them easier to catch when I need to clean out their home.

NOW! Did you know that the stench from Stagnant pond water will stick to you no matter how many times you wash your hands??

I found this out today. You see I seem to have created my very own stagnant pond here in my own home. In hindsight I should have realized this would happen but I really didn't think it out. How did I make my own stagnant pond. Well let me tell you it might make a good science fair project for someones kid (though I suggest you do it outside because once you disturb the water your whole house will smell.

I orders some duck weed for the frogs home. It gives them someplace in the water to hide and helps keep the crickets from drowning since they can walk right across the top of it. Now the smallest size I could order was a quarter pound of duck week. This is way too much for my little frog house and I put the rest into a little aquarium we had sitting around. You can see a picture below.

Now if you look in the upper left corner you will see a little filter. It wasn't there before I just put it in. Before the duck week covered the entire surface of the water to about an inch thick. The problem with this is no oxygen could get to the water and caused a build up of bacteria that thrives in an Anaerobic condition (a condition with no oxygen). This is of course what happens in stagnant ponds. Algae clogs the surface of the water letting now oxygen through. Now the smell doesn't escape till you disturb the plants on the water. I did that this morning when I went to get some for my nice clean frog habitat. My hands are still stinky and I've washed them 4 times already. It's going to be a long day!

I won an award

2009-08-26T13:31:00.001-07:00

It was given to me by Tina over at Mummy Diaries

It was for the answer I gave for The question:

How can i stop my child from coming out of their bedroom and into mine every night? I hope my answer helped Lyndsey from the UK. Here is what I said:

Start by developing a bed time routine. Make it the same everynight this will help them mentally ready for bed. Then when they get up at night you have to take the back to their own bed immediately. Talk to them there about why they are up. Don't turn on any lights as this will wake them up more. Once they have settled back into their own bed the go back to your. This may take several times before they stop doing it but you must be consistant.

If you want to participate in the question of the week stop over to Mummy Diaries she has a new question each week .

Thanks for the award Tina

Walking The Dog

2009-08-24T05:14:00.000-07:00

I think many people take for granted that our best and most loyal friend never complains. So today I'm going to let Cricket do some complaining for them.

Hi my name is Cricket, my family rescued me from a very noisy place where I was kept in a cage. There were lots of other dogs there and all of them were as sad as I was. At my new home there was another dog named Wags and she told me stories of all the places she had lived with her new family. One of place was so hot the pavement could burn her paws If she went out in for a walk in the middle of the day. She could look out the window and see other families walking by with their dogs ignoring the fact that while the covering they had on their feet protected them from the burning hot road their four footed friend was suffering loyally beside them.

She told of other places like where I was born that got so cold in the winter the ground would freeze. Though the cold ground was no bother to her well padded paws, the big trucks that lumbered down the road poured stuff out the back that would get up in between her paws and irritate them. Lucky for Wags that our family made sure to clean her paws after their walks together. But after living in the place with the hot pavement she wondered how many other families with dogs remembered to take care of their paws after a walk.

Wags has gone away but her stories stay with me and I'm glad I have such a thoughtful family to live with.

Cricket

The Rosco Report + 1

2009-08-18T04:08:00.001-07:00

I have two pictures to share today the first is little Rosco the Frog who has finally gotten his front legs. He still has his tail though you can't see it in this shot because of the fake plant.

You Grow Rosco

This second one is of my old friend Fitz once again trying to thwart my computing efforts as he snuggles down for a nap on my chair leg.

Awww How could I make him move I had to save blogging for another day.

2009-08-14T04:15:00.000-07:00

The other day I came face to face with my turtle’s future self, a lady had gone jogging one morning and saw a large turtle in the road. She decided it didn’t look healthy and bless her kind heart wanted to take it home and take care of it. She brought the turtle in a large cooler to Petco (where I work) and asked what she needed to take care of it. The first thing I told her was that what she had in her cooler was a Red Eared Slider. Then told her the best thing she could do for him was to find the closes water to where she found him and release him back into the wild. From there I began to explain everything she would need to keep him as a pet. Not surprisingly she decided to return him to the wild. By the way the Turtle she brought in had a shell that was about a foot long. The original tank we bought for Rex (the one sold as an aquatic turtle kit) was only 12 inches wide and would have never been big enough for the turtle in the cooler.

Red Eared Sliders are relatively cheap to buy, and the young do look particularly delightful, but it is surprising that many people buy them with no knowledge of what they have bought, and not even providing the bare essentials. Many places sell them at an illegal size (under 4 inches) in a little fish bowl like this one.

This set up is completely inadequate for a Red Eared Slider giving him no room to grow and none of the lighting he requires.

Aquatic turtles like sliders need fairly elaborate and expensive housing. They need regular exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, so pricey bulbs designed for reptiles that produce UVA and UVB light are needed for turtle tanks. Without this light, they can develop metabolic bone disease. Turtles are very messy, and even with a good filtration system you will still have to clean in regularly. Remember turtles have to drink the water they are living in. Their tank should be deep enough and wide enough to allow swimming and a place to get out of the water to bask. Here is a list of equipment you will need if you have or are thinking about getting ANY aquatic turtle:

A suitable sized tank
Heater and thermostat
Filters and air pump
Light bulbs
Suitable depth of swimming water
Dry area
Thermometer

Though aquariums are good for young turtles, make sure you get the largest one you can afford to help prevent the need to keep buying larger and larger ones. At their full grown size the will need a tank that holds about 100 gallons. One of the owners I've talked to used a pre-formed plastic pond (like you get at home depot) to build an indoor pond for his turtle. You might also consider putting him outside part of the year if you have pond in your yard that has a good fence to keep predators out.

Now I'm not tell you all this to keep you from buying a Slider, I love Rex and think he is fascinating to watch. I love when I come into the kitchen first thing in the morning he is happy to see me. Yeah I know he knows I'm there to feed him but it's still fun to watch him climbing around trying to get my attention. Opps started getting off track LOL, I'm telling you this for the turtles sake. Many people take them home and when they get to big dump them. Once these turtles have lived with people they CAN NOT be returned to the wild and expect to live very long.

Don't feel down and blue if you have discovered after reading this that Red Eared Sliders are to much for you to deal with. I have some alternative you might want to consider. They will still need the whole aquatic turtle set up but do to their smaller sizes you can buy a smaller tank. The First is the African Side Neck Turtle:

I borrowed this picture from California Turtle and Tortoise Club I home they don't mind. If you want to see more pictures check out their site (click here). This is the larger of the two I'm suggesting with an adult size of 6 to 8 inches.

The second aquatic turtle I'm suggesting is the Three Striped Mud Turtle:

This photo I borrowed from Pbase.com you can visit them (click here) It's a photo host and share site.
Thise cute little guys only get 3 to 4 inches. So in the first tank I had Rex in I could probably happily house 4 or 5 of these little guys.

I think anyone who is thinking of getting any kind of pet should visit their local library first. Read everything available for the pet your considering. That will help keep surprises to a minimum and insure that you have a healthy long lived pet.

New Tank For Rex The Red Eared Slider

2009-08-12T04:45:00.000-07:00

A little bit of advice for anyone condsidering a Red Eared Slider. Double Check the food lable.

Not the best picture sorry but you might notice the two red circles. One lable says Growth Formula the other says Maintance Formula. Make sure when you grab your food you get the Maintance Formula not the Growth Formula. We made that mistake for you and the results is that we had to go and get Rex a new Tank sooner then planned all because I wasn't paying enough attention.

Presenting Rex's new "Indoor Pond"

This thing is about twice the size of his original.

He still has some growing to do but now he will do it slower and will still have plenty of room.

I have more to say about owning a Red Eared Slider but it will have to wait until tomorrow since I have to go to work shortly.

Cleaner Hands

2009-08-07T08:06:00.000-07:00

I was helping out with the fish today and one of the cleaning shrimps wouldn't come out of his bag. When I reached in to get him out he decided my hand needed cleaning. It was pretty cool I could actually feel him tuging on my skin.
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Good News and Bad News

2009-07-29T06:19:00.000-07:00

First the Good News Rosco Finally started his metamorphosis. That's right he got his back legs and is on the way to being a frog. Woo Hoo. It's a little hard to see in the pictures and I had a heck of a time getting a picture of him at all. We added some plants to his water so he would have something to eat while we were on vacation and the Duck weed kept getting in the way. The Duck weed is the little green flecks on the top of the water.

Now before I get to the bad news. Here is a shot of Kermit in his new habitat. He is sitting on the rock in the middle of the water.

Now of course for the BAD News.... Kermits habitat is leaking.... that is to say the water is leaking over into the land part of his home. All that hard work to give him land and water and I have to start over.

Here is a second shot of him in the water.... see the funny color of the water? That's because the water is leaching into the dirt and causing everything to have a brown tint. So Kermit is going to have to go back with Rosco and I will probably have to put something on the lid to weigh it down so he doesn't knock it off... he is a pretty strong jumper.

Small Wonders

2009-07-27T12:44:00.000-07:00

Something wonderful happened today. At the pet store where I work a mamma guinea pig had 4 little babies and lucky me I've got pics to share. Sorry about the fuzziness I was trying hard not to disturb the new mamma.

A sleepy hamster

2009-07-25T11:52:00.000-07:00

I'm not dead I just sleep that way
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Cute Pics From The Pet Shop

2009-07-18T05:33:00.000-07:00

Here is some thing new for you to stop by for. Every now and while I'm working I see some really cute behavior from our pets that are waiting to go home. When I can I'm going to grab a shot to share with you. I hope you enjoy them. I caught these guys taking a nap.
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Pets and Vacations

2009-07-13T05:05:00.000-07:00

We are planning on going on Vacation and the problem arises.....How to care for your pets when your not there.

Dogs and Cats have a very simple solution though kind of expensive. There are kennels and "pet motels" everywhere you go. You simple have to find one you think will care for your pet they way you want them cared for. I am choosing to go with the kennel at my vets. Simply because I have an extremely elderly cat and a dog with a gimpy hip. I know they will get the best care there. But what about the fish, frog, tadpole and turtle?

Fish aren't a big problem either. We have timers from past trips we can place on the lights and picked up some vacation fish food from Petco. It is pyramid shaped and will dissolve over the time we are gone to release food for the fish. If you want to go a little more high tech you can get a battery powered feeder that will drop food in every day.

The real problem is the exotic pets in my case the turtle, tadpole and frog. My solution was to talk to some of the experts and here are the solutions I've decided on. For Rex the Turtle we will be adding some live plants and some feeder fish to his tank since we have a canister filter we shouldn't have to worry about cleaning his tank. We will probably put in some of the small snails to give him something to dig around for too.

We took Kermit the Frog out and put him in his new habitat it's not as finished as I would have liked. I wanted to get some moss growing in there but haven't been successful yet so we added some "Frog Moss" I purchased at Petco to put on the land side until I get the moss to grow. There is enough room that I will be able to add several crickets for him and he will eat some of the fish food that will be released from the vacation food.

As for the Rocso the tad pole he will be a little tricky. You see his little tank wont support a battery operated vacation feeder and though he would eat the food in a vacation pyramid the water would quickly become filthy and he would suffocate. We have added some plants to his habitat. We have chosen Anicharis, which is a long plant that can be placed in the rocks to grow roots or left to float (which is important since the tadpole habitat has no rocks) and some duck weed which is also a floating plant. These will feed the tadpole and help keep the water a little cleaner.

Cats and Dogs, Turtles and Frogs

Does It Bite?

Chinchilla Taking a dust Bath

Common Sense, Concern or Crazy

Cute Pic's From the Pet Shop

Hypothermia in Pets

Happy Thanksgiving

How To Choose a Pet... 10 Things to Keep in Mind

Caring For A Betta Fish

Curing Night time Cat Behavior Problems

Interesting Ferret Fact

HEALTH DEPARTMENT STATEMENT ONMAINTAINING BAN ON FERRETS IN NYC

Getting Your Dog Ready for Winter

Pumpkin for Pooches

Teething Puppies

Rex The Turtle

Boots The Cat Says

Cute Pics From the Pet Store

It's National Adopt a Dog Month

Indoor or Outdoor Cat ... a Message from Boots

Flea Control

Is Your Doggie Driving you nuts?

Becoming an Expert

Watch Those Paws!

Cute Pics From the Pet Shop

Cute Pics From The Pet Shop

Look Who Stopped In For A Visit

Cute Pics From The Pet Store

We could learn a lot from our pets!

It's Mine All Mine!

Cool Reptiles

Cute Pics From The Pet Store

Cute Pics From the Pet Store

Meet the Babies

Worlds Luckiest Rat

Dangerous Toys

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Small Animal Saturday

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