Deep Sea

What lies down there? It is almost like the sea is in another dimension. The inhabitants of the vast oceans of the world are pretty much oblivious to the dangers that lurk above its surface. Living in another dimension, just swimming around in the sea, never really being below to see what is right above their heads. The only way that they will ever see the light of day is to jump out of the water for second, of see it for a brief moment before getting bonked over the head, of gutted like the fish that they are. Then there are the creatures that lurk in the deep, an area so deep that humans have never been able to go. What is down in the waters of the Antarctic? What is under all of that sea ice. We will never know. Is it land down there, or is it all just one big huge giant floating iceberg? I guess that we will know soon enough. Within the next few hundred years there won’t be any more icy seas. The ocean is still a pretty big space and just like in the movie the Abyss, we are finding new species of fish every year. Like the giant fish monsters that lie in the deep. Maybe there are some species of fish that we never even thought of. For one, the deeper that you go the stranger they are, they even create their own light. Even though they have never seen the light of day.

Bird Cages with Room to Stretch

Your feathered friend deserves a safe, comfortable enclosure…here are 12 simple tips if you’re a bird lover with a companion in a cage!

Buy the largest cage you can with the correct bar spacing for your bird type.

Place perches away from locations that are above food and water containers.

Tree branches also make good perches but don’t use any part of cherry trees.

Clean all cage parts and bars to remove dust and contamination.

Add butcher paper to the bottom tray. If a grill is used on the bottom of the cage, it should be cleaned when the paper is changed.

Wipe down the bars and base of the cage as needed, and remove any faeces or food.

Check that all feeders and doors are securely closed at all times.

Change food and water when soiled, regardless of whether some remains.

Having your bird’s wing feathers trimmed may reduce the chances of escape or accident.

Select a proper location for your bird cage. Drafts are deadly to exotic birds and should be avoided. All birds need loads of indirect light or short periods of direct light.

Provide plenty of toys for your bird’s diversion while in the cage.

Allow enough free space for wing exercises.

Copyright Glenda Erceg.

This article may be used without permission as long as it is shown in its entirety with links intact.

For more bird cage resources visit http://www.forbirdcages.com/

Five Mistakes New Puppy Owners Make

You’ve researched the different dog breeds to find the best one for you and your family, you’ve taken the time to find out whether the breeder you chose is ethical, and now you’re finally bringing that precious new bundle of joy home. The hard part is over, right? Actually, there are several mistakes that many new puppy owners make that can really turn this joyful time into a frustrating and worrying experience. Avoid these new dog owner mistakes to be sure you and your puppy are off to a great start:

1. Potty training your puppy indoors and then expecting him to automatically go outdoors when he is older. Those nifty potty training pads look an awful lot like nice, plushy rugs to your puppy and he may opt to use your rugs as a toilet spot after you do away with the pads.
2. Giving in to his sad whimpers and tucking him in your bed for the first few nights and then expecting him to sleep on his own in a few days without crying. He’ll just cry louder and longer once he knows what he is missing.
3. Letting your guilty feelings overwhelm you so that you don’t crate train him. Crate training helps keep your puppy safe, since he can’t get into dangerous things when you aren’t watching him if he’s crated. Also, he actually feels more secure when he is crated while no one else is home.
4. Taking your puppy with you when you go out, especially if you are going to a park or pet store. Puppies should be finished with immunizations before they go on outings. Their immune systems are often not fully developed when they are young and they are more susceptible to some of the deadliest dog diseases.
5. Letting your puppy do things that are cute in puppies and not at all cute in full size dogs, such as jumping up on guests. It is easier to curb these behaviors right away than it is to break your adult dog of bad habits.

To get your new puppy off to a good start, why not take the free ABC’s of New Puppy Care mini course? To chat about your canine friend with other dog lovers, don’t forget to visit the Free Dog Tips forum.

Healthy Diet for Your Parrot

Is your bird a seed only eater? Did you know in that wild seeds form only a small portion of the natural diet? While seeds are an important part of a pet parrot’s daily diet they should not comprise all of it.

Parrots are opportunistic omnivores, which in plain English means they eat whatever they encounter in their day (”opportunistic”) and, like us, eat from all the food groups - veggies & fruits, grain, and animal protein (”omnivores”).

The seed based diets that have traditionally been fed to pet birds are not representative of that parrots eat in the wild. Little is actually known about exactly what comprises their daily diet, but their natural diet does include a variety of things like seeds, nuts, fruits, shoots, buds, corms, and invertebrates (insects, worms, and larvae). Wild parrots have even been observed eating dead fish that wash up from lakes and streams. Because some of the plant material they eat also contains toxins, parrots in South America flock to natural mineral beds regularly to feed on the clay and minerals available in order to detoxify their systems.

We do know that a seed only diet generally cuts your pet’s potential lifespan in half, as well as leading to deficiencies in vitamins, especially vitamin A, minerals, especially calcium and protein. They also tend to be too high in fat.

While formulated diets (aka pellets) are now becoming widely used, they also do not comprise a complete diet and can lead to health problems if used exclusively, especially with the kidneys and liver. Formulated diets were originally based on research done in the poultry industry, where the focus is on rapid growth and maximum size, not longevity. While they’ve come a long way, and like seeds, form an important part of a complete diet, they can not do it alone. What’s important for your bird’s health and happiness is variety, balance, and moderation. Veggies, whole grains, and some fruit should form the basis of a well fed bird’s daily diet.

A parrot’s “job” in the wild is to spend the day searching for food, then working to access it. Nuts are a prime example, as getting to the nut meat involves removing not only the hard shell, but the fibrous outer husk as well. It’s important to give your pet a “job” and make her have to work a little for her goodies as well. Having to peel veggies and open nuts helps offset boredom. (Just be sure the veggies are organic and not contaminated with pesticides.)

Patience, creativity and common sense will work wonders in improving your parrot’s diet and overall health. The rewards are well worth the effort, resulting in a well feathered, bright-eyed, playful companion who can share your life for as long as possible.

Your Parrot Place
Marilu Anderson, Bird Nutrition and Behavior Consultant, (503) 771-BIRD.
Marilu is a regular contributor to the Your Parrot Place Newsletter.
YourParrotPlace.com
- Only the Best for Your Parrot!

Free eBooks!
140 pages! A compilation of parrot articles from 2000-2004.
http://www.yourparrotplace.com/ebooks/free_ebooks.htm

Ear Mites - Say Bye Bye Parasites

Has your dog been scratching his ears a lot lately? It might be
time to take a closer look at his ears, and consider the
possibility that he has ear mites.

So what are ear mites anyways?

Well, ear mites are microscopic parasites that survive off of
the skin cells inside your dog’s ears. Their tentacles can
irritate your dog’s ear canal, and if left untreated, can cause
serious bacterial and fungal infections.

Ear mites are extremely contagious.

If you have more than one dog in your home, or your dog
frequently comes in contact with other dogs, he may be at risk.
Ear mites have a tendency to frequently meander away from your
dog’s ear and onto his coat. Eventually, the ear mites will find
their way into another dog’s ear, if given the opportunity.
Puppies are at an even greater risk because ear mites can easily
transfer from the mother’s ear to her young. Hence, ear mites
are responsible for the majority of ear infections in puppies
and young dogs.

So what are the symptoms of ear mites?

If you happen to notice your dog scratching his ear excessively,
shaking his head, or constantly rubbing his ear against a wall
or various other objects, then it’s time to check his ears. Tell
tale signs of ear mites include a waxy, dark colored discharge
and ears that are dark, crusty and emit an unusual odor.

Uh oh, my dog has all these symptoms! What should I do?

Relax, this is a common problem with dogs. First things first,
take your dog to the vet at your earliest convenience. It is
crucial that you seek early treatment in order to prevent a more
serious ear infection later. Once the diagnosis of ear mites has
been established, your vet will prescribe a treatment for you to
continue at home. This usually involves cleaning out the debris
with an insecticidal solution that will wipe out the parasites.
All in all, the ear mite treatment should be completed in about
three weeks if all goes well.

Breed Profile: The Chihuahua

Origin
The Chihuahua was named after the city of the same name in Mexico, however, this tiny dog’s history dates back thousands of years. It is the oldest breed on the American continent and the smallest breed in the world.

Archaeological digs have shown that the breed goes back to the fifth century AD. Mayan Indians of South America made clay sculptures of small dogs that resemble the Chihuahua and the Toltecs, the native people of Mexico, also possessed a dog of small stature called the Techichi. In later years they were referred to as ‘Texas Dogs’ or ‘Arizona Dogs’ and they quickly became a favourite with the American public.

The American Kennel club exhibited Chihuahua’s for the first time in 1890 and they were registered as a breed in 1903. They were later split into two varieties in 1952 - the smooth coat and long coat.

Temperament
The Chihuahua is a graceful, alert, swift-moving little dog with a saucy expression and terrier-like qualities of temperament. They make wonderful companion dogs and love nothing more than to snuggle under the doona or curl up in the warmth of your armpit. They are sassy and charming, but also fragile. They need - and will demand - lots of love and attention and they are well known for licking faces! They are bold and quick on their paws, especially as they need to move quickly to avoid being trodden on. They are intensely loyal - and sometimes jealous - and will follow their owner everywhere.

Chihuahua’s require plenty of socialisation as puppies. If not, they will develop a suspicion of strangers and an obvious dislike of other dogs. They generally do not like other breeds, but many Chihuahua’s have been known to live happily with other breed types. Chihuahuas are good travellers and can easily go anywhere with their owners and friends will vie for cuddles because they are so endearingly cute.

It is rare to see a Chihuahua doing the rounds at a dog training facility, however, they are intelligent, and they do respond well to gentle and proper training. They learn quickly, but they love to bark! A good breeder will never sell a Chihuahua before 10 - 12 weeks old. These tiny dogs need a stress-free environment while young with frequent feeding, weighing, and monitoring to keep their weight and blood sugar levels stable.

Children
Many breeders will not recommend a Chihuahua if the family has young children. This is because they are so little and vulnerable and can be easily hurt. The Chihuahua will snap at children if being teased.

Living conditions
The Chihuahua does not fare well in cold climates, however, many Chihuahua owners invest in a variety of jumpers and coats to keep them warm. They cannot live outdoors. Not only are they susceptible to Eagles and Hawks (even Crows have been known to stoop for them), but also they will not withstand the drop in temperature at nighttime. They are a house dog and live well in apartments.

Exercise
Although small, Chihuahua’s require regular exercise just like any other dog. As their necks are very small and sensitive, attach a body harness for leading. They will enjoy chasing balls and runs along the beach (although they will keep well away from the waters edge).

For lots of easy to read articles, full of useful information that is sure to help you out with your pet or pets, go to http://www.P-E-T-S.info. While you are there sign up for the PET NEWS email newsletter - it is FREE and packed with handy tips for pet owners.

What Aquarium Should You Go For?

So what aquarium is best for you. If you’ve been to the aquatics
or have even seen some aquarium fish in your local pet shop then
you may be interested in setting up an aquarium. The problem is
most people don’t know where to start and they don’t know what
type of aquarium they should get.

When I talk about type of aquarium, I am meaning the type of
fish you would get e.g. saltwater or freshwater. There is not
just two choices though. You need to decide whether you want
coldwater or tropical and then from which part of the world.

There are some great ways to help you decide and here are a few
tips to get you started.

Select the top ten species of fish you would like to keep
without taking into account whether they are suited to live
together. Then sort them out into there groups and research
which group that fish would go in.

After you have you groups you may then see that 4 out of the ten
are in the tropical saltwater group and are all peaceful fish
that can be kept together. The other 6 may be split into ones or
twos. This would then mean that the group of four could suit you
best.

Another way to help select is look at the level of how difficult
each group of fish are. If you are decided on spending a couple
of hours per week on your new hobby then you can try something a
little harder but if you don’t have much spare time you may be
better trying to keep an easier type of aquarium.

You could look at the size of tank you can afford and fit in
your home. This will help because unless you can accommodate a
large aquarium some types of fish will be suitable because they
grow large. If you can only accommodate a small aquarium it may
suit you more to go for small tropical freshwater fish like
neon’s and other tetras.

Please think about the advice I’ve told you. You could also
research some aquarium bio-types you like by looking at books
and asking aquatic staff on your next visit.

Create A Gift Basket For A Dog Lover!

The choice of what gift to give your family and friends can often be a difficult one. One of the best gifts that you can give is a gift basket. A gift basket is that one present that comes in many shapes, themes and of course price ranges. A gift basket can also be a new arrival gift idea.

The diversity of gift baskets is never-ending. You can give a doggy gourmet food gift basket or a bath and grooming necessities gift basket. In fact the different type of gift baskets you can create is endless.

Here is a simple basket that you can easily create yourself for that special “Dog Lover”.

Pick a basket style. I like to use either a bucket or use a dog basket. There are a lot of choices on the market so choose between one with a handle, with two side handles or without handles. Make certain the basket is large enough to hold the gifts you have selected and of course if it is intended for the dog to sleep in it, large enough to accommodate the dog.

Choose a color that complements the dog lover’s home decor. If in doubt, choose a neutral color by selecting a natural wicker basket.

Next select a variety of items that have a dog theme which will later be packed into the decorative basket that you have chosen especially for the recipient.

When selecting the gifts for the dog lover choose items with dog themes such as dog calendars, coffee mugs, computer mouse pads, T-shirts, note cards, stationery, dog magazines, include fiction and nonfiction books and picture frames.

Select some doggie bones and dog chew toys for the pooch or pooches.

To add a little extra to your gift basket for the Dog Lover include:
A cap with the dogs name embroidered on the front, some sunscreen for when they are out walking together and a poo catching holder for the collection bags;

If you are on a budget try a small basket and include:

A picture frame, a disposable camera to record an outing with their pooch, a record book to record events, a photo album, along with a voucher for photo finishing.

When you are finished, wrap the Gift Basket with cellophane paper and a nice ribbon to give it a finishing touch. Use shredded paper inside the basket to hold the goodies in place. Tie a humorous gift tag with a message for that added touch.

About the Author

About the Author: Donna Hamer is the author and publisher of eBook “101 Gift Basket Ideas”. For a Free 5 part Mini Course on how to create your own “Personalized Gift Baskets” visit http://www.101giftbasketideas.com

How to Take Care of Your Pet When Disaster Strikes

When disaster strikes, it’s important to have the right emergency pet supplies on hand to help your pets survive. Many people may not like to think about it, but if the proper preparations are not made, there is little chance any pets can survive a natural or man made disaster. Animals are not allowed in emergency shelters due to public health and safety reasons, and statistics show that 90% of animals left to fend for themselves in a disaster do not survive. It’s very important to take steps to protect your little loved one. The best way to protect your pet from disaster is to be prepared with emergency pet supplies and to have a plan of action.

You should always have some emergency pet supplies set aside in case disaster strikes. Have at least a week’s worth of food and water ready and some treats. If you know you’re going to be gone all day, then you might consider leaving them enough food and water for the whole day, so even if you can’t get home for a while because of a disaster you know they won’t be starving. Be sure to have a first aid kit for both you and your pets. In cases of disasters causing extreme cold, like a blizzard, have warm dog clothes on hand. Also, to be ready for evacuation you need to have a good pet carrier. It should be durable, comfortable and spacious, like the Ultimate Sherpa Pet Carrier. No matter when disaster may hit, if the right pet supplies are one hand you increase your dog or cat’s survival chances greatly.

Aside from having the right pet supplies, you should be ready with a plan of action for any disaster. In hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes you should have a predetermined safe place. Emergency shelters may not take animals, but there are certain animal shelters or animal friendly shelters that can provide help. If you’re away from home when disaster strikes, have a friend or neighbor you can call to go to your pet. It’s very important that you be prepared to perform any necessary first aid on your pet as it may be impossible to get them to a vet clinic. If your pet stops breathing or if their heart stops, you can perform CPR to resuscitate them.

Basically, you should remember the ABC’s of first aid:

A - Airway: Make sure their airway is clear. Pull the tongue forward and remove any blocking objects.

B - Breathing: Hold a mirror, shiny object or cotton ball in front of their nose to determine if they’re still breathing. If not, place your mouth over their nose and blow until you see their chest expand, and then let go to let the air flow out. Do this for 10-20 times a minute.

C - Circulation: Press your ear firmly to their chest to listen for a pulse. If there’s no pulse, then put the heel of one hand just behind the left elbow and place your other hand over it. Press downward and forward at about 100 times a minute, towards the neck.

To restart both breathing and pulse, do heart massage for 15 seconds and move on to breathing for 10 seconds. This may bruise or even crack the ribs of your pet, but it’s necessary to save their life. With the right preparation, emergency pet supplies and plan of action, you and your pet can live a happy and healthy life no matter what disasters come your way.

Grant Carroll proud father of three dogs and co-owner of http://www.littlepamperedpets.com with Dog Clothes and Small Dog Sweaters.
Also visit Little Pampered Babies where you can find Unique Baby Clothes and Toddler Clothing.

My Tips to Take Care of a New Dog

So you’re bringing home that cute little puppy from the best breeder after doing all that research, or you found the most adorable “mutt” at the pound, where you were just going to look, you swore. And now you realize that you weren’t as prepared as you thought. Maybe you’re planning in advance for the new bundle of joy. Either way, we’ll give you some valuable tips we’ve learned over the years of bringing home little bundles of terror - I mean joy

Learn as much as possible about potty training, and expect none of it to matter, especially when you step in their deposits at 3 a.m. in the pitch black - it WILL happen!

Buy the smallest bag of puppy chow you can find. Your dog will hate the first one, and the second one and the third one. Buying small will help you overcome the horror of the money you’ve just spent on the 7th brand of dog food in 2 weeks.

Strip naked or at the very least to a swimsuit before bathing your dog. You WILL BE WET. No way to avoid it, even in a 2 foot deep sunken bathtub. Personal experience talking here.

Prepare yourself for the fact that the toy you thought was SO COOL in the store, will be sniffed and promptly ignored until the end of time. Your dog will only like the toys that will drive you the most crazy. One of the favorites in our house (NOT purchased by us) is a big skunk with a plastic bottle inside. Inside said plastic bottle is a marble. Aaaaaargh. ‘Nuff said.

That gorgeous dog bed you bought? You know, the one that cost almost as much as the new king size bed you got to accommodate the new dog? Yeah, the dog will rarely, if ever use it. Preferred dog beds in this house? Couches, blankets dragged to the floor, pile of clothes, carpets - and of course, our bed, preferably leaving as little room as possible for the humans by stretching as wide as possible.

Training? What’s that? Mine occasionally come when called, and usually sit when told, but that’s about it. I’ve given up. Did you know that a dog can be flunked out of training school? Neither did I until it happened… to ME!

Fill in the blank: my favorite ______ will be chewed to death. Expect it. Embrace it. You will live it.

I think the biggest tip I can give to a new dog owner is to become a firm believer in Murphy’s Law: whatever can happen usually will and at the worst possible time. Of course, if you’d like to avoid my jaded outlook on life with a dog, visit our website, http://www.a1-dog-info.com/tips-to-take-care-of-a-new-dog.htm for help.

About the Author

Tara Pearce is the author and webmaster of A1-Dog-Info.com. Please visit us for all kinds of information about dog food, toys, health, books, supplies and clothes.

http://www.a1-dog-info.com