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These are two kitties that were saved, brought to a cat shelter, and adopted out to fine homes!
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Russian Kitties Take Center Stage
I really think adding any commentary to this would be unnecessary! All I have to say is you have to love a guy who has 120 trained cats!!
Psittacosis Outbreak at Pet Smart
A recent outbreak of Psittacosis, an avian disease, has caused over 700 Petsmart stores to stop selling pet birds. The disease was found in some cockatiels, but as it is contagious to other parrots, the large chain decided it would be wise to err on the side of caution and suspend sales of birds until the illness could be contained.
Psittacosis is a bacterial infection that affects parrots and is also known as ornithosis when carried by birds outside of the parrot, 
or Psittacine family. It is contagious between birds and other birds as well as from bird to people. Although the incidence of serious disease is rare, and in fact the transmission to humans is very rare, it is a disease bird retailers and bird breeders do not like to see sweep through their aviaries.
Petsmart has taken a responsible position by halting bird sales until the outbreak is over. The birds will recover and soon business will return to normal. In the meantime, the spread of the infection to other birds and possibly people, has been stopped before it started.
If you own a bird, especially a parrot, and your bird displays respiratory illness symptoms, it would be wise to have your bird seen by a qualified avian bird specialist. Treatment can prevent serious illness.
And as always, bird owners should be careful about washing their hands thoroughly before and after handling their birds. Never handle a bird in a sales or show environment without knowing the bird’s health status, and be sure to wash your hands carefully before handling another bird.
Psittacosis is an easy disease to treat, but an even easier disease to prevent. Keeping your hands clean, the bird’s food and water containers clean, and not handling strange birds are the best tools a bird owner can use to prevent psittacosis. And as tempting as it is, because all bird owners, particularly parrot owners, are infamous for exchanging “birdie kisses,” any bird displaying symptoms should be on a “kissing sabbatical.”
Petsmart Speaks Out on Psittacosis Outbreak
PetSmart halts bird sales after outbreak
What’s On Your Mind Kitty?
I love it when people say that cats naturally gravitate to people who dislike cats, or worse yet, who are allergic to cats. It does seem at times to be true. Cats definitely have minds of their own. I didn’t realize how specialized the cat brain was though, until I saw this detailed drawing of the anatomical structure of the inside of a cat’s head. Check this out; when you are done with the study of the brain, you will find it to be a great site if you have an area in your brain that is devoted to the love of cats.
The Mapping of a Cat’s Brain
Explore Cat Stuff – A Great Resource for Cat Lovers
Well, I THOUGHT I Chose The Cat
Once upon a time, actually about 5-1/2 years ago, I decided to get a cat. I had recently lost my husband and my beloved corgi had passed away as well. So a cat it was going to be. And not just any cat. I wanted a really big Maine Coon Cat. I searched and searched and found my cat in a classified ad. He had been abandoned. All 25 pounds of him was looking for a home. I paid the adoption fee, I brought him home, and was thrilled at my good fortune.
Shoot forward three or four weeks (the time you need to give a cat to adapt, although it can take much longer but that is another topic for another day). You would think I would have a wonderful home with an affectionate cat winding lovingly between my ankles and purring upon my approach as I scratched his oh-so-royal chins.
No way. Patch hated me. He despised me in fact. He wouldn’t even look at me, let alone purr. Our relationship did progress however. To growling.
He would growl with a terrible menace. And then Patch starting making a new sound. Whenever I picked him up or sat down on the sofa with him, he did this growling/howling thing. I dismissed this off to my mother while on the telephone, as being a tornado siren. I’m not kidding.
I tried everything. I have been around cats all my life and I have never had one take such a dislike to me. And I couldn’t figure out why. I never did. I don’t think there is an answer why. I think cats like who they like. It can be a risk getting a cat; you can’t guarantee the cat is going to feel the same way about you. They say that a dog is the only love money can buy. It may be true because you sure can’t buy the love of a cat.
I wish I could give you some magic potion that would make a given cat fall crazy in love with a given person, but there just isn’t such a thing. Just like people, cats have their own minds and will love those they please to love. I have since had cats fall in love with me to the point they have always been underfoot, on my lap, under my blankets… well, virtually everywhere except the shower.
If you do wish to earn a cat’s love, you can however, tilt the odds a bit in your direction. How? Have the cat pick you!
- If you are buying a purebred from a breeder, spend some time with the litter you will be choosing a kitten from and follow the kitten’s judgment, if one seems particularly interested in you.
- If you are getting a kitten from a cat shelter (congratulate yourself first, because that is doing a great service), spend time and narrow your hunt down to two or three cats. Talk to the owner of the shelter and ask if you can visit those kittens or cats for a few days to determine which is the best match for you. I am willing to bet that the owner or manager of the shelter will be happy to see your commitment and will give you that time. The whole goal of a shelter is matching the right cat to the right person.
- If you get a kitten or cat as a gift, you will have to resort to the time honored traditions of giving treats, cat nip, extra lovings, and pray for the best. It is out of your control as far as kitty’s preferences go; all you can do is be the best friend you know how to be and let it work itself out. Hopefully you won’t have a Patch!
Cat ownership is a rewarding experience and it is a whole lot of fun!! Don’t let what I say discourage you. Instead use it as knowledge that you might have to hunt a bit further to find the cat that is also out there, looking for you!
PETA Accused of Being “Slaughterhouse”
Once again, controversy is surrounding PETA and its policy of euthanizing pets at a very high percentage rate to those pets they take in from owners. It is now to the point that the Center for Consumer Freedom has requested the State of Virginia, to classify PETA officially as a “slaughterhouse.”
An official report filed by PETA itself shows that the animal rights group put to death nearly every dog, cat, and other pet it took in for adoption in 2006. During that year, the well-known animal rights group managed to find adoptive homes for just 12 animals. The organization killed 2,981 of the 3,061 “companion animals” it took in.
Doggie News
There has been controversy about PETA and how they have handled the pet rescue side of their business for a long time. Granted, they have achieved a lot of attention with their stands on various topics such as the wearing of real fur, lab experimentation on animals, meat eating, and other concerns on a large scale.
But the organization has been harshly criticized for how they handle the “smaller” issues, such as abandoned pets. The group “PETA Kills Animals,” states that most of the animals turned over to PETA for rescue are put down. The statistics are on that Web site and there are not any statistics on the PETA site to contradict those findings. The proof is evidenced by a form published by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
It is interesting to note that if PETA is looked up at Wikipedia, there is a dispute that has yet to be settled regarding the neutrality of the article. Wikipedia states that all entries must be written from a neutral point of view and there is controversy surrounding this particular entry with accusations it is not neutral. The results of this particular debate are still outstanding.
There will probably always be controversy surrounding PETA and its opposing organization PETA Kills Animals. This is an area that people are passionate about, on both sides of the issue. It won’t be solved in a way that satisfies all parties for some time to come.
The lesson that can be taken from the existing problem is that people need to investigate very carefully how they donate their money when they try to help various animal rights organizations. And if a pet needs to be given up, owners need to research carefully before turning their pet over to another person; it is always better to relocate a pet to a family member or friend if at all possible.
Of course, the best solution would be to reduce the overpopulation of pets by responsible ownership. Having pets altered (neutered or spayed) is the best defense anyone can use to solve the problems of ethical treatment of any animal. Basic medical care, such as dog and cat vaccines, adequate identification on the pet, and proper care, along with controlling the birth rate of pets are the best things any pet owner can do to protect their pets and family.
Virginia Asked to Classify PETA as a Slaughterhouse
PETA Kills Animals – A Web Site Opposed to PETA
PETA – People for Ethical Treatment of Animals – Official Site
VS.
Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It’s Off To Work We Go
You’ve no doubt heard a lot about “take your son/daughter to work day,” but has anyone heard anything about taking your dog to work? Well I have. In fact (off the record please) I have taken a dog to work. I used to work in a large office and I had to do some extra work over the weekends to stay caught up, so I would go in Friday and Saturday nights about 9pm and work until about 3am.
Now part two of this story is that I am afraid of the dark. I hear things that go bump in the night. Especially in large, unoccupied office buildings. But I really, in order to make my upcoming week tolerable, had to do this work over the weekend, and I could only do it at night.
Solution: Easy! Bring a dog!
So I did. Now I wouldn’t recommend this for an untrained dog. Dogs can at times get confused in new surroundings and they might leave a “gift” in your bosses office. That is very bad. But if your dog is well trained, well mannered, and calm, consider taking him to work when it is appropriate.
The dog I had at the time was a collie. He looked just like Lassie. And he acted like it too. He would wander around the whole floor while I was in my office. I never heard anything go bump in the night if he was there; big dogs, even those that look like Lassie, still are the best form of security there is.
Many employers are becoming more open to ideas such as casual Fridays and bringing your dog to work. And yes I know that is quite a stretch from jeans to Rover in the office, but it isn’t unheard of anymore. As I said, just be sure your dog is well mannered and ready for a field trip such as this.
And take a look at Cesar Millan’s blog where he discusses this very topic. No doubt, he had a dog at his feet while he typed it all out!
Tips For A Dog-Friendly Workplace
Finding the Best Purebred Dog for You
I’ve always been kind of funny (funny like strange, not funny like haha) about my dogs and cats. I prefer cats that are not purbreds, even though I have had purebreds in the past. I’ve even bred and done the cat show thing with Persians. But give me a regular tuxedo cat anyday; I have always found more love and devotion in “cat-cats,” as opposed to purebred cats.
I’m just the opposite with dogs. I have only had one “mutt” in my life; all the rest were purebreds. I have owned collies, Great Pyrenees, poodles, corgis, a border collie, and several other breeds. I have always found that for me, to have the lifelong 
relationship with a dog, the dog has to be a purebred. (It’s okay, call me a snob.) And anyone who knows me, knows it is corgis, specifically Pembroke Welsh Corgis.
I have been asked, why buy a purebred when there are so many pets to be rescued. And owning a cat shelter, it is obvious I am a firm believer in rescue and adopting an “unwanted” pet. It just doesn’t work for me with dogs. I like the certainty of knowing what kind of personality and character traits I am going to get in a dog and if you work with a good breeder, you can be pretty sure that your puppy will have the personality of the breed profile.
A recent blog posting by Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer, concurs with my thoughts on this subject. However, what is important is how this applies to you. Do you know which dog is the best one for you? Have you considered issues such as innate friendliness, watch dog abilities, shedding and all of the other factors that could influence what kind of dog you might choose? When faced with an adorable puppy of any breed, it is pretty hard to keep your head on straight about what you want in a pet that will share its entire life with you.
I found a great dog breed selector. It did list some of the breeds I have been the happiest with. And of course, corgis were on the list. It is a quick test so take it and see if it matches you with the dogs you are interested in. It might bring some ideas to mind you haven’t considered or it might firm up, in your own mind, what is best for you.
How Breed Can Influence Dog Behavior
Consider a Budgie – An Adorable Little Parrot
If you have never had a budgie, or as they are commonly known in American pet stores, a parakeet, you are missing out on a lot of fun. They are busy, playful, intelligent little gossips and as members of the parrot family, albeit very small members, they have an opinion on everything. They can learn to talk, and often talk well. They crave companionship and will bond readily to their owner. And they are affordable.
One of the biggest hurdles many people have is knowing how to care for a new little feathered friend. Most people acquire a budgie, or parakeet, and have a very limited profile of information. It isn’t enough to dump seed in the bird’s cage every few days and replace the water when it comes to mind. As a little parrot, there are some specific needs that a parakeet has. They are easy to meet and when you learn what your little bird needs, you will find that caring for him or her (or both) is a lot of fun, for both you and the bird.
But you do need to know more than the pet store is going to tell you about. That is where this Web site comes in. ParakeetCare.org is one of the most thorough sites on budgie care that I have seen. It has all the information you could possibly 
need to start out including dietary needs, healthcare for birds, taming and training, and information about cages and toys. This is an invaluable resource for a bird owner that is new to the world of budgies.
I was very impressed with the section on healthcare. As a bird owner in the past (everything from canaries to macaws) I know how important it is to keep an eye on a bird’s health. They display very few symptoms if they are ill, which is a holdover from being in the wild; a sick bird is usually a predator’s victim therefore they are experts at hiding an illness. The section on bird health at ParakeetCare.org is very helpful and even an experienced bird owner would benefit from reviewing that section.
It has been awhile since I have owned a parakeet. I enjoyed the ones I had and I had fun watching them raise their little families while I was breeding them. I recommend them as pets, particularly if you are thinking of investing in a large parrot; it is a great way to learn about the parrot family and have a wonderful little companion to talk to and who will likely talk back! And when you get your ‘keet, be sure and check out ParakeetCare.org for some very useful information and have a great time visiting the site!
Photos courtesy of ParakeetCare.org
Giving A Cat A Pill – Yeah, Right!
I love this article. It is so civilized. It gives you some step by step instructions on how to easily give a cat a pill. It reminds me of the phrase, “it is as easy as giving a tiger an enema.” Just imagine that for a second, and then let’s review the techniques for giving kitty her pill.
The author suggests sitting on the floor with your legs in a V position and placing the cat between your legs, facing outward. That will work well – the first time. After you have done it once, kitty will know immediately you are going to shove your hand down her throat and your first step will be amended.
1. Catch kitty.
Then you gently hold the cat’s head in your hand (left hand if you are right handed) and place your hands as described in the article. You place the pill and a few tips are given to make it easier and to prevent choking or aspiration.
Interesting. The article describes the method to put the pill in the cat’s mouth and then goes directly to “when you are finished.” What about what happens between the time of putting the pill in her mouth and being finished – somewhere in there, kitty has to swallow the pill.
That’s the catch. Swallowing the pill.
So I am revising step two as well.
2. Hold kitty’s head in your left hand and put the pill on the back of her tongue with your right hand. Immediately move right hand to front of kitty’s mouth to catch pill as it comes back out. Be prepared to catch curve balls; kitty can toss that pill amazingly far.
3. Repeat beginning of step two and remembering not to clamp kitty’s mouth shut should she aspirate the pill, be prepared for a firm latching of kitty’s teeth into your flesh. Pill will be expelled shortly thereafter. Proceed to step four.
4. Reposition kitty between your knees and sit further down on the back of your feet this time so kitty won’t escape from underneath you again and anchor all of her claws in your backside and up your back as she accomplishes her escape. Hold kitty’s head gently and attempt to replace pill. Catch pill again.
The article also suggests coating the pill with some butter to make it slide down the cat’s throat easier. Thus rule five.
5. Reposition kitty yet again, and with left hand gently hold kitty’s head. Try to avoid getting butter in kitty’s eyes; even though butter should only be on right hand, kitty has fought fairly hard to avoid the pill-giving position and butter is now on both hands. Gently place pill at back of throat… no, first pick up the pill again that popped out of your hand because you have butter on your hand and can’t hold the pill. After repeated attempts to get pill, butter and kitty’s mouth in one place simultaneously, wipe butter off of kitty’s head and paws and whatever you do, do not say the word “bath” at this time.
The article suggests a drink of water or a treat after giving your cat her medication. This can help soothe hurt feelings and will also leave a more pleasant taste in your cat’s mouth, thus making the event less traumatic. Rule six now is applicable.
6. After kitty’s pill has been ingested by kitty (yeah, right!) offer kitty a drink of water or a snack to foster peace and goodwill. Kitty may not feel a need for this as her mouth may be full of the taste of your blood from chomping you firmly during steps four and five.
I added another rule. It is an important one to remember.
7. After butter, blood, and spat out pills are cleaned up and kitty has stopped glaring at you from under the sofa, remember that love is hard come by, she will forgive you and it really is all worth while. And do read the article – it is a good one and has some techniques that will make giving your tiger her enema… I mean, your kitty her pill, easier.
