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2012年6月27日 星期三

Pillow Pets Children's Toy


There's a brand new product created specially for kids and they are named Pillow Pets. These posh pillows are a hybrid of a pillow and a cute stuffed animal. They are available in a various designs so that every youngster could discover the one this is perfect for themselves.

The Pillow Pet toys seem like a compressed stuffed animal that is similar to a pillow but they could be folded up into a stuffed animal. They can be used as a children's toy, for bedding or fluffy friend. Made out of chenille, the ultra softness cause them to be perfect at delivering comfort whether they are used for a snuggly friend or a pillow.

These lovable stuffed animals fold out level similar to a cushion. If you want to fold them back up into a stuffed animal it's straightforward. All you have to do is fold the Pillow Pet in half and connect the Velcro strap which is on the bottom. This instantaneously transforms the pillow back into a pet. To allow it to be a pillow again simply undo the Velcro strap.

In case you doubt why your son or daughter would love Pillow Pets then speculate no more. These cute little friends are excellent companions to have on long trips in the vehicle and also in an airplane. They're wonderful for sleepovers and many other occasions which your kids might be in need of just a little extra security in order to keep them feeling positive regardless that they may be away from their house.

These stuffed animals are created for plenty of use without wearing out. They are machine washable so that you won't have to worry about putting them in a pillow case when your children uses them over and over again for bed time. Nor do you have to be concerned about they will get them dirty carrying them all over the place too many times. All you will have to do is put the pet inside the washing machine and they will probably be just like new once they are dried.

Pillow Pets are available in a variety of numerous animals. This include a cuddly pony, turtles, lady bugs, animals from the jungle and plenty more. With so many unique ones which are available, odds are that there exists one your son or daughter will like.

So, where could you buy them? That is easy, Pillow Pets can be purchased on the web as well as in retailers. For anyone who is looking for the complete list of designs that are available, you ought to take a look at the main Pillow Pet website. Many retail stores hold a decent collection as well.

Seeing that Pillow Pets are amongst the year's hottest Christmas present for kids, parents ought to get them early in order to avoid their kids from being disappointed.




Find out about about the Pillow Pets stuffed animals and other great As Seen On TV products and offers.




How to Make the Garden Safe For Children and Pets


When designing a new landscape or reevaluating an older landscape, don't forget to work in spaces especially for children such as: a sandbox, jungle gym, and/or open grassy areas for football or net games like as volleyball and badminton (not just for children). A sandbox or jungle gym can be tucked into a corner or other small area. For jungle gym or other physical activities a thick layer of shredded bark mulch on the ground will help to reduce the impact of falls.

Introduce children to gardening and yard maintenance early on so that as they develop, they gain an appreciation and respect for plants and the landscape. These learning sessions are the perfect opportunity for teaching them about plants and how they grow. This reduces the chances of children ingesting any poisonous parts of plants.

For those with pets, work in an area for them to run and play. Gravel can be irritating to their paws and hot in summer, so use shredded bark mulch for this area which also works great for their potty areas as well. Place dog houses in protected areas such as nearer the house/garage or tucked into corners (great where there is a fence for additional protection). Sun and wind protection are other points to keep in mind.

Be flexible. Some dogs just like to dig and no matter what, you can't keep some plants. I've experienced this with my dogs. I replaced a couple of small trees damaged by a freeze a few years ago with dynamite crape myrtles. The next day, I came home to the plants dug up and dried out. I had to replace with 2 more new plants. The following day, I came home to them dug up and dried out, again. The dogs were scolded, of course, but we didn't want to waste, yet, 2 more plants. So, I planted the newest crape myrtles in large containers with a few annuals. It isn't what I really wanted for the landscape, but, this is a spot on the outside of my garden gate, so the container thing works fine. Planting in containers and raised beds can be a good solution for keeping plants off the ground so that they aren't dug up, time and time again.

Both young and small plants are at risk of having dogs urinate on them, which if allowed to continue, will kill the plants. Sprinkle cayenne pepper over the area and around the base of the plants.

Neighborhood cats can be a big problem. Two successful ways of keeping them out of landscapes and gardens is to lay pine cones around the area or lay sections of chicken wire, secure to ground and cover ever so lightly with mulch. The pine cones, chicken wire or anything prickly will help to keep them at bay.

Here is a short listing of plants that are generally safe to use around pets and children:

Bamboo

Ornamental grasses

Crape Myrtles

Forsythia

Cat Mint

Chives

Lavender

Rosemary

Thyme

Heucheras

Sage Herbs (many other varieties including annual varieties)

Sedum

Tulip

poplar

This is just a short list of plants that can be planted safely in the garden. The ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) has a great site with information on a listing of the 17 top toxic plants to pets, great articles on pet care (dogs, cats and horses), and animal poison control hotlines.

Poisonous Plants

Pawprints and Purrs, Inc is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating pet owners, preventing animal cruelty and pet abuse. Check out their website and you will find articles on everything from pet ownership to traveling with your pet to alternative medicines for pets.

If you have a question about whether or not a specific plant is toxic or safe, always ask your pet's veterinarian.

The following link is to a short article on backyard safety for kids. It offers some good advice to keeping children safe and happy at play.

Backyard Safety for Kids




Visit Greenwood Nursery for more ideas on plant selections.

Cheryl D. Jones, co-owner of Greenwood Nursery, McMinnville, TN, shares tips and information on gardening and landscaping through her blog, newsletters and nursery website.




2012年6月26日 星期二

Animal Assisted Therapy For Special Needs Children


Many children have special needs. They may need to have the ability to interact with a cat, dog, or other furry friend can really have a positive impact on their quality of life. Interacting with a pet can sometimes enhance recovery following a very serious illness. It can change their quality of life. Having the pet interact with a pet can sometimes make the recovery following a serious illness. It can change their behavior, create a sense of responsibility and even improve their ability to participate in some type of great treatment.

Animal assisted therapy can create special bonds for the effectiveness of the child's healing and for bonds to be met as well. Many children have had a terrible thing happen to them at some point in their life. They will need to have something to keep them calm and to help them get over the ordeal that they have been through. Having a pet can be a great way to make things better for them and give them someone to love and to love them back.

Many special needs children are looking for someone to love them and to give love as well. It is not always easy to find love when you are a child. You need someone to share your time with and to give hugs and kisses to. Having any type of animal to do this will make a great difference in their life. it is important to make sure that you are the child picks the pet that they want so that they have a part in the process.

The occupational therapy staff of many places has embraced the good benefits about animal assisted therapy for children with special needs. The use of animals to help children recover is being introduced increasingly to many people. The program is set up to help the children discover pets and those they can have fun and find happiness with a designated animal that they are assigned to. Having a pet to share time with and be around is a great opportunity and one that the child will remember for a lifetime to come.

It is amazing what you can do to with the use of a good pet. Children can make great memories and get well because of the fact that the pet is there for them and giving them the feeling of love and commitment that they need. This is sometimes exactly, what a child needs and that is to feel loved even by a pet.




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Introduction to Pet Turtles


Turtles have long fascinated many people in many ways. Their distinct physical features, behavior and potential life expectancy attract many to see these amazing creatures.

Taking turtles as pets is said to that have been practiced by many cultures long past. In some countries, young ones and hatchlings are captured and sold as home pets. Children and grown ups are seen mostly engaged in taking care of them.

What exactly are turtles?

A turtle is the only reptile with a shell. Turtles are found nearly in all warm regions of the world. Most of them thrive on land and freshwater while few frequent in seas and oceans. The terrestrial kinds are commonly known as tortoise while aquatic ones may be called terrapins.

The turtles body, both organs and backbones, are enclosed in the shell, affording protection to its head, neck, and limbs. As a turtle grows, the materials overlap the shell edges making it even harder. The shell is often strong enough to support 200 times a turtle's weight.

It is believed that turtles have a very long life-span, with some even reaching 100 years or more. In some species, shell appearance may indicate a turtle's age. Reproduction cycle involves courting and mating of sexes, fertilization, egg-laying and hatchling by females (which normally happens once a year).

Turtles primary food source comes from both plants and animals. Natural diet may consist of fish, earthworms, snails, tadpoles, leafy greens and other numerous aquatic plants.

Studies have proved that turtles are smart creatures and possess sensitive senses. They can perceive vibrations and recognize patterns and colors. The sense of smell appears good at close range especially when accepting and rejecting food, though sense of sight is not well in some species.

Are turtles good pets?

Since 1971, the United States have banned selling turtles which measures less than four inches long. Turtles are commonly known to carry Salmonella bacteria which when infects human may cause death. An example is a case in 2007 where a 4-year old baby in Florida died and linked to Salmonella from a small turtle.

Turtles can be good pets but caution must be done when selecting and caring them. Ensure to hands before and after holding them. Refrain from dangling to any of our body parts especially the mouth. And avoid roaming around to various places of the house to prevent spread of infection.

Finally, taking care of turtles is not easy, but the efforts can be very rewarding. Turtles, just like dogs and cats, can recognize their caretakers. When trained, they can follow simple instructions and develop habits. They're observed to be playful and loyal. No wonder, with turtles in many people's hearts, they truly can last a lifetime.




To learn more about having a turtle for a pet [http://www.turtlecarecenter.com/caring-for-your-turtle.html] please visit: [http://www.TurtleCareCenter.com]




Why Pet-keeping is Essential for Children's Healthy Development


As families decrease in size and we become increasingly urbanised the need to keep pets at home becomes more important for children's healthy development.

Most kids at stage will ask - no, nag - for a pet of some type. Gold fish, guinea pigs, pet mice and rabbits are generally on city-dwelling children's want lists for pets at some stage. The more conventional cats and dogs compete with more exotic species such as tortoises, snakes and parrots for kid's attention in the large animal stakes.

The lure of pets for kids was demonstrated some years ago at the height of the electronic pet phase. Kids across the world were glued to their handheld monitors feeding, walking and caring for their electronic pets.

As it turned out electronic pets were no substitute for the real things and the phase thankfully has passed.

Pets contribute in four ways to children's healthy development:

1. They teach children to take responsibility for something other themselves. Some pets are easier to care for than others but most have

to be cared for, protected and fed on a regular basis. It is the

regularity of caring for pets that is the greatest lesson for kids.

Parents may give children chores and it may not matter much to children

if they are not done. But the consequences of not caring for a pet are

generally very real for children. Fail to feed a small animal and it may

die. Forget to close the cage on the chicken pen and the dog may have an

unexpected feast. These are real responsibilities that teach real life

lessons to kids.

2. It is inevitable that at some stage pets will die. It is tough but

that is life. Animals teach kids about the cycle of life. Dogs moult,

lizards shed their skins and the call of the wild is just too great for

some species in spring. The nature's cycles become real when you have

pets

3. Pets teach kids to be empathetic. When children care for their pets

they become protective and look out for their welfare. They empathise

with their pets if they are cold, hungry or it is stormy outside. Kids

will often want the dog to sleep inside when it is cold or the cat to

come in from the rain. They often blur the line between animal and human

but at least they are emphasising with their pets - and putting

themselves in their situation. My point - empathy is a brilliant life

skill. Empathetic kids never bully and empathetic adults are brilliant

to be around. They make great partners, workmates and bosses. These

characteristics need to be nurtured in childhood and owning pets can

allow for this.

4. Youngest and only child are usually surrounded in their families by

people who are bigger and more capable than them. The opportunity to

care for a pet puts them in control and allows them to care for

something just as their parents have cared for them.

The type of pets that kids have will depend on their age, your

circumstances and their wants. From my own experience it is necessary to

instil in kids the responsibility that comes with pet ownership. Kids

will often see an animal in a pet store or at a friend's house and

immediately want it. It's a parent's job to remind children that pets

are for LIFE (of the animal) and that the fun of having a pet is

balanced by the responsibility of looking after it.

Pet ownership is a two -edged sword. But so is life. That's why kids

should keep pets.




Michael Grose is a popular parenting educator and parent coach. He is the director of Parent Coaching Australia, the author of six books for parents and a popular presenter who speaks to audiences in Australian Singapore and the USA. For free courses and resources to help you raise happy kids and resilient teenagers visit http://www.parentingideas.com.au




2012年6月25日 星期一

Goldfish and Betta Fish Make Great First Pets For Children


Goldfish and Betta Fish are fish that can live in a fishbowl or an aquarium. They are a lot of fun without a lot of work.

Children can learn caring and compassion for others by having an animal to care for and develop an understanding of responsibility. Parents and adults are the ultimate caregivers though, and should not turn a child of any age loose with the full responsibility for any animal. Always supervise, setting and enforcing boundaries and rules. Fish should not be touched with a persons hands as their skin can be damaged very easily. Make it clear to your child that the fish is a living thing with needs both like and unlike his/her own.

The simplest way to keep a fish is to have one that requires only a bowl without the filter and pump setup of an aquarium. Not all fish can live in a bowl. There are two good candidates: Goldfish and Bettas. They can live in a bowl because they naturally gulp air at the surface. Most fish don't do this.

First thing, decide which kind of fish you want and how many. Then get supplies together to house your fish. Your local pet store is well equipped to help you do this and there is generally someone knowledgeable available to work with you. Ask questions. These people usually know a lot and are happy to help.

Goldfish are an excellent choice to start with. I believe they are the best of the two choices. There are many different types of goldfish. The basic goldfish, or Comet, is the least expensive. They may be available in gold or gold with some white markings. There are specialty goldfish with fan tails, calico coloring, bubble eyes, lions head, and others. All are beautiful, hardy, easy to care for and fun to watch. All can grow fairly large and live long lives. Make sure the bowl you choose is large enough that your fish has some room to swim around and room to grow. A gallon of water is O.K. for two small fish but, remember, they will grow! Take that into consideration.

Goldfish can learn to interact with you, coming to the surface for food, taking a bit of a treat from your fingers, nibbling your fingers, and other things. Goldfish food can be found in flake form in the pet store. Do not over feed your goldfish. Just a small pinch of food twice a day is plenty-as much as they can consume in about two minutes. Some goldfish will eat other things as well, but only for treats and only sometimes. It won't hurt them to have a couple of bread crumbs (no more!) from time to time, or a bit of lettuce.

Bettas, or Siamese Fighting Fish come in several colors with draping fins and tails. You have probably seen them in your local pet store alone in small bowls or even plastic cups. To house them long term they should really have more space than that. Usually these are male fish, but sometimes you will see females also.

Do not try to keep more than one Betta in a bowl, and never put them with other types of fish. They must be kept singly. They are called fighting fish because they are very aggressive and will kill one another. The females are less aggressive and probably won't try to kill other fish unless they are much smaller. A single Betta fish keeps very quiet and still most of the time. Pet stores often sell setups for Bettas, complete with bowl, decorations, food-everything you need to get started with a Betta fish. Betta food is in pellet form and will float on the surface of the water. Usually Bettas need just one or two pellets a day as they are not active fish.

Goldfish and Bettas need to have their bowl kept clean or they will get sick. Remember that they live, breathe and eat in the same environment in which they poop. Not a pleasant thought. You should clean your fishbowl about once a week.

To remove your fish from the bowl, use a net gently and carefully catch it and place it carefully into another bowl with some of its water. Cover the top so your fish won't jump out. Dump out the old water from the fishbowl. If you have gravel, plants or other decorations in the bowl, rinse them well with hot water. Rinse out the bowl with hot water and wipe out the inside with a paper towel or clean cloth. Algae can grow on the inside of the bowl and cause a green slime on the surface of the glass. Never use cleaners of any kind. They are poison to fish in any amount. Refill the bowl using bottled spring water. It is pure, contains beneficial minerals, and requires no chemicals to make it safe for your fish. Never, ever use distilled water or plain tap water. If you must use tap water then make sure you have a de-chlorinating additive to make it safe for your fish.

Goldfish and Betta Fish make great first pets for children. They require a little care and attention but are not an overwhelming responsibility. They are not terribly expensive to purchase or to maintain and are lots of fun to watch.







Child Care Director Talks About What Children Can Learn From Pets


Children and pets go together like peanut butter and jelly. That's why many child care centers are now including pets as a part of their programs. There are numerous benefits including teaching socialization and teaching responsibility. Of course, there are certain risks, but a prepared child care director can minimize most of these risks. Choosing a pet wisely, providing proper supervision, and teaching children the proper way to interact with animals can ensure everyone's safety.

Social Benefits of Pets

A child care center with pets can expect several social benefits for the children. This is especially true for shy children as pets tend to draw them out and give them someone to talk to. Pets also have a way of teaching children how to be gentle and kinder and this often transfers to their peers. Having a pet around can also teach children to talk quietly and not to make sudden moves. There aren't too many preschool teachers who wouldn't appreciate that!

Other Benefits of Pets

Of course, there are other benefits as well. Pets provide great sensory stimuli and can provide children with a real connection to nature that they might not get at home. Lessons on responsibility can also be incorporated into the day if children can "help" with the care of the animal or in providing it with exercise. This brings up another benefit - exercise. For children who are sedentary, a pet may provide an enjoyable opportunity for physical activity.

Risks of Pets around Children

Unfortunately, pets can also present certain risks to child care centers. First, bites and scratches can be a real problem if children are not taught to handle the animal. Health concerns such as allergies, germs, or other communicable diseases present real problems. Some children may also have fears that may prevent them from interacting with the animal. Finally, be prepared for a few tears if the pet meets an unfortunate end.

Choosing a Pet

If a child care director decides to incorporate a pet into the child care center, the most important step will be in choosing the right pet. Research the kinds of pets that work well with children and then carefully examine the pet's personality. For obvious reasons, it must be friendly to children. Growling and snapping just wouldn't do. Also make sure the animal is healthy. It should have been immunized and be free of disease and parasites such as fleas and worms.

Necessary Precautions

To minimize these risks, a child care director should take certain precautions. First make sure all parents are notified at either the time of enrollment or before introducing a pet. Also, make sure children are closely monitored when they are playing with the pets and make sure to teach the children how to interact with the animal. If the children know how to approach the animal and basics such as staying away from the pet's face and washing their hands, a lot of problems may be prevented.

So with just a few precautions in place, child care centers across the country are embracing the idea of adding pets to their program. It puts a smile on the faces of children and has so many benefits that many feel the benefits far outweigh the risks. These benefits include things such as socialization skills and teaching responsibility. The risks can be minimized with just a few precautions such as choosing the right pet, providing supervision, and teaching children the proper way to act around the animal.




Angela Walker has a passion for children, and her and her staff at Next Generation Children's Center in Reno, NV are dedicated to helping foster your child's early childhood development.

To see what else Angela is writing about visit Angela's Blog.




Having Pets For Autistic Children, is This Advisable?


Most children love animals and want to have pets. This includes children with autism. Pets can be a wonderful addition to the family, but it can create problems and sometimes be harder on the pet than the family members. Is it advisable?

Before thinking about purchasing a pet for a family with an autistic child, it is advisable to take into consideration what kind of pet does the family want in their home. For example, is it going to be a dog, cat, bird, hamsters, what exactly is the pet going to be? In addition, the family should discuss the care of the pet, the cost, is it an indoor pet, an outdoor pet, who will have the responsibility to take care of the pet. Will it be a family joint effort, where all the family members will take turns and share the load of taking care of the pet, including the child with autism.

The individual who has autism in the family, may love the pet, but may not be able to take responsibility of caring for the pet. In other words, take the pet for a walk, if it is a dog, feed the pet, clean up the debris of the pet and litter that is accumulated, allowing the animal inside the house or outside the house for exercise and fresh air.

There are certain pets that require more care and attention than others do. This is true compared to having a cat as a pet verses a dog as a pet. Dogs usually require more attention, and care than cats do. It is a good idea to take into consideration, who is going to be home during the day with the pet. In addition, what about traveling or taking a vacation, will the pet be able to travel with the family, or will you have to hire someone? Will the pet adjust to traveling or the care of someone else?

Pets in a family with autism can be very therapeutic and can encourage the autistic child to have responsibility, follow instructions, love the pet with hugs, petting it, talking to it, crying and expressing emotions to the pet, that they may not do with other family members. It is imperative to realize, some autistic children display outbursts of anger and tantrums. Because of this kind of behavior in autistic children, you must remember that having a pet in the home may be a target for this kind of behavior. It is wise, not only to think of the family having a pet with a child that has autism, but take into consideration how the pet will adjust and be affected by the child if he or she has outbursts of anger or tantrums. The pet should never be in any danger with the child present if this occurs.

Take your child and family members to various pet stores, visit other families who own and take care of pets, to evaluate if your child with autism responds to the various kinds of pets in a positive way. Purchase a stuffed animal that looks or is the same kind of pet you and your family want as part of the home. Take the stuffed animal and practice and show the child what to expect when the animal comes home as a permanent pet. For example, if you decide to purchase a dog, buy a small leash, some dishes for the dog food, show the child where the dog is going to sleep, practice taking the stuffed animal for a walk with the leash, practice having the stuffed pet drink water and eat food out the dishes, let the child know, dogs bark, growl, cats meow, sometimes claw furniture, climb and jump. Make it a fun part of the child with autism so he or she becomes aware of what to expect if an animal as a pet, is brought home.




"Bonita Darula, is known world-wide, for her knowledge and insight on autism. Visit http://www.autismintoawareness.com to receive your updated e-book and bonus products that are waiting for you. Having pets for autistic children can be both positive and negative. Learn from the valuable information in her e-book, that will teach you more on this topic. Take action now."




2012年6月24日 星期日

Let Your Children Help Choose The Family Pet - Part Three


Have your new pets checked over by a vet, especially before bringing them into a home where you already have other animals, to quickly catch, treat and prevent the spread of any diseases that may have been contracted while in the pet shop or shelter. You wouldn't want a joyous moment to turn into a tragedy. It's also important to have the vet take care of any necessary shots and routine worming treatments and such.

Have your home all ready for your new arrivals before you actually bring them home. Buy pet beds and food bowls, toys and litter boxes, brushes and leashes. Have everything in place when you welcome your pets to their new home and, of course, lay in a good supply of pet food that will provide them with well balanced diets. Junk food is just as bad for pets as it is for people !

Before your pet arrives you and your children should give your home a good going over to remove anything that might be dangerous to pets. The image of a puppy chewing on a slipper is a familiar one, but that same puppy or a might also chew on electrical cords. Poinsettias are poisonous to cats, plus cats may swallow Christmas tinsel or pieces of string and yarn which can block their intestines. Go around your home and conceal wires, store medications and household cleaning products, and put sharp objects out of reach. Learn which house plants might be poisonous if ingested, and don't leave heavy objects where they might get knocked over. Make it into a game in which your children search for potential pet dangers and come up with ways to remove each one.

Puppies and kittens will invariably get into everything that they have access to, so be careful that they do not get closed into drawers or climb into kitchen appliances. Take the same kind of precautions that you'd take with very young children in the house. Teach your kids to keep your pet's safety in mind at all times. Animals have a tendency to be forever underfoot, so teach your children to move slowly and gently and to look before they take a step or sit down. Teach them to open doors slowly, in case a furry little someone is just behind that door.

When your new pets first come home, try to give them a quiet spot and plenty of time to acclimate to their new environment. Sights, sounds and smells will all play a role as your pets gradually learn their way around their new homes. Don't overstress new pets with too much noisy attention and fussing. Too many hands reaching out to pat them or pick them up may be frightening. Let pets gradually get accustomed to the children in the house. With lots of love and affection and socialization practice your new pet should soon find its place within the family. Supervise young children until they've learned how to be gentle and considerate of pets' needs and feelings: no sudden noises, no tail-pulling, no dressing pets up in human clothing, no teasing them. As your children come to understand why they should not do these things, they will learn to respect their fellow creatures as autonomous beings and they will grow up to be compassionate, caring adults.

Be cautious when introducing new pets to pets already living in the house, to avoid conflicts. Give your older pets plenty of attention and affection, so as to prevent jealousy and any resulting aggression. Take care not to ignore them in favor of the new arrival, just as you would be careful to not ignore your older children when a new baby is born into the family. For animals there may be territoriality issues to work out and strange new scents to decipher. You must also take precautions when introducing your new pet to his outdoor environment and new yard or neighborhood, to avoid undue disorientation and anxiety or worse.

As new pets settle into the routine of daily life at your house, you and your kids can put into practice all the pet care tips that you've read about: provide your pets with a healthy diet, always give them access to fresh, clean water, encourage plenty of exercise in a safe environment and keep up with all required vaccinations and other medical treatments. And never leave pets in hot parked cars in the summertime, as temperatures inside cars can quickly rise and threaten the lives of animals closed inside.

Take care of every one of your pet's needs, from daily brushings to periodic toenail trimmings to annual shots. Give pets toys that are safe to play with, with no pointy edges that could poke eyes or jab throats. Your pets use their mouths to play with objects, so no small parts that might be bitten off or swallowed. Respect an animal's need for privacy. When your pets need some quiet time alone, be sure that they get it. Give them nice soft beds, boxes to climb into and other safe hidey holes in out-of-the-way places. Teach your kids to respect your pet's moods and to not bother them when they're sleeping. The better your children know the animals who live in your house, and the more involved they are in your pet's care and daily routines, the closer they'll be to them and the more they'll love them.

The unquestioning love that animals, such as cats and dogs, can give to humans is one of the nicest gifts that you can give to your children, and the best gift that you can give to your pets is the unconditional love that you and your kids feel for them. The love that pets give to humans can also help kids through difficult times. Trusted dogs or cats will actively seek out attention, play and cuddling, and their companionship will be constant when friends and schools and other things may change. Pets are always there to listen to children's troubles, share their joys, and keep them company during times of loneliness, and children can confide their secrets to their pet with the absolute certainty that the animal will never betray their confidence.

That sort of absolute love and devotion can bring children and animals together in such a special way, and that inter-species bond can help your children grow up to be compassionate adults who feel more connected to the natural world. Pets give their best to us and, in return, we should do our best for them. They deserve all the love, time, attention, play, and affection that your children, and you, can give them.

Pets are not toys, they are members of the family. When new pets are added to a household, with proper care and with plenty of love, they will soon find their place within your hearts and your lives and you'll all wonder how you ever could have gotten along without them !




Barbara Freedman-De Vito has been involved with children and animals for many years. She's been a teacher, children's librarian, wildlife rehabilitator, artist and writer on topics related to both children and animals. Her husband, Bob, has also run an animal shelter and done animal rescue work. You can see I Love My Dog T-Shirts, Bumper Stickers, Mugs, Magnets and other dog gifts in her shop.




The Essential Role of Pet Keeping for Children's Healthy Development


Whether you decide before or after you have children to bring a pet into your lives, it is important to consider the effects it will have on children's healthy development throughout their early years. The essential role of pet keeping for children's healthy development is a topic all too often overlooked. Children's healthy development depends on the way you introduce a pet and the care you give a pet while your kids are in the vital stages of development.

Before you choose a new pet to bring home to the family, there are many important factors in picking the right one! Deciding what type of animal you want is the first step. The best pets for families are typically cats and dogs; they have stable lives and can easily become a part of a family, aiding in children's healthy development. Most families will thrive more efficiently if they avoid choosing exotic pets such as spiders and snakes as they can become frightening for younger children, and the novelty often wears off.

When you bring home a new pet, you should always train them in obedience and respect. In doing so, children will development a sense of responsibility, even if they are not the ones directly responsible for the pet's care. You must enforce the rules that you set for your new pet so that children will develop a healthy yearning to guide their pet in the right direction. Pet's can be a great part of a family and bring new light and enjoyment to a home. Many children find that pet's are great companions long before they can realize what a friend truly is. Keeping a pet will not only teach your child respect and responsibility, but also what a loving and kind relationship is.

Many parents focus in on the way their children development from the day they are conceived. Whether you have a cat or a dog there are important things to focus on as well. Initially, many children may not be prepared for the arrival of a pet. It is equally challenging for a child to deal with the death of their pet. It can be a difficult time, but many children have their first understanding of life and death through their pets. To be sure that your children will be able to handle what can be a significantly trying time in their life, you should keep your pet's memory alive even after they pass. Find a memorial pet urn to keep your cats remains in and a special dog urn to lovingly respect your pooch and let their memory live on forever. Doing so can greatly help your child deal with the loss of a pet.




Natalie Aranda writes about pets and family. It is equally challenging for a child to deal with the death of their pet. It can be a difficult time, but many children have their first understanding of life and death through their pets. To be sure that your children will be able to handle what can be a significantly trying time in their life, you should keep your pet?s memory alive even after they pass. Find a memorial pet urn to keep your cats remains in and a special dog urn to lovingly respect your pooch and let their memory live on forever. Doing so can greatly help your child deal with the loss of a pet.




Adding a Pet to Your Family


Some studies show that children that grow up around pets have a tendency to be more responsible than children who do not grow up with pets. Caring for a family pet teaches children many life lessons, such as responsibility, empathy, and allows children to bond better with other people and animals.

Pet Temperaments

If you have children and have decided to add a pet to your household, realize that your new pet will be like another member of your family. Pets are more like people than you may think - with unique personalities, interest, food preferences, and temperaments. It is not uncommon to own two of the same breed of dog, for example, with two completely different personalities. Many times, this personality can be seen when dogs are just puppies. Some puppies are more aggressive as puppies, while other litter mates may have a shy and quiet nature.

Understanding the Needs of Your Pet

Your children need to understand the appropriate behavior around pets. The temperament of an animal will have a lot to do with how a child should behave around the animal. If your cat is short-tempered, for example, it would be important to teach your child to handle the cat carefully and understand the signs a cat might give if it is annoyed. Teaching children how to understand the signs that our animals use to show emotion will help your child better understand their pet and will hopefully prevent any possible bites or scratches that might occur otherwise.

Allowing your children to help with the responsibilities of a pet is a great way to teach them more about how to behave around animals. This responsibility allows children to better understand that the world is a big place and other creatures need the same amount of attention and caring that they need. Teaching children empathy for pets is a great way to teach them life lessons about the needs of pets and even other people, making them more socially proficient adults.

Talk to a Vet

If you would like to learn more about how to teach your kids the responsibility of a pet, as well as improve their relationships with people through the introduction of a pet into your home, contact a Los Angles veterinarian clinic today. Pets can have a very positive impact on your family and speaking with a trained veterinarian will help you and your children to properly care for the newest addition to your family.




Joseph Devine




2012年6月23日 星期六

Top Pets for Children


Adopting a pet for your children can be a great opportunity to subconsciously teach them some major life lessons. It can prepare them for many obstacles in life such as death, responsibility and care and realise the importance of health and well-being. Having an animal is a brilliant way of helping your children grow into responsible and mature adults - but make sure that they are monitored whenever they are cleaning or handling their pets.

Some pets are better for kids than others as the care of some is extremely laborious and your little ones may not be able to care for them efficiently. Here are the top five pets for children:

Goldfish - This type of fish does not require a lot of care and maintenance and it can really teach your pet the importance of regular feeding and cleaning. Goldfish are also extremely cheap to maintain and they are a fantastic pet to keep allowing your child to develop.

Hamsters - Hamsters are an extremely brilliant pet to keep for your children as they do not have a very long life-span, so they are not a life-long commitment, and they are easy to maintain. These rodents can teach your kids the importance of cleaning, exercise and general care. In comparison to other animals, they are also inexpensive to keep and are a fantastic way of providing your little one with a cute and fluffy friend.

Dogs - It takes a lot of effort to care for a dog but they are loyal and kind - being more of a family household pet than a child's own. When getting a dog you need to realise that you are going to need to put a lot of effort into the care of this particular canine companion. Dogs can be an extra addition to the family and can most definitely act as a friend. Regular walks with your dog and child can also keep everyone fit and healthy and realise the importance of exercise.

Rabbits - Rabbits are an extremely appealing pet for children as they are fluffy and loving creatures. It is also popular to keep a household rabbit so it can almost act as a cat - making it a lot more of an addition to the household. These can be a great pet for a child who does not yet have the responsibility of caring for a dog and want a furry pet.

If you are considering adopting a pet for the home and for your children then you will also have to be responsible for the pet's health and well-being. Although this may be a downfall, it is extremely healthy and beneficial to adopt an animal and bring it into your loving family.




Jade Jennison is an enthusiastic writer in many subject matters and aims to provide information to people who share the same interests as her own. The websites recommended by Jade have been thoroughly researched and come highly acclaimed from direct experience. Take a look at the pet supplies available online from Snack and Tack to find affordable ways of adopting an animal into your home and helping your children develop.




My Pillow Pets - Could They Be Your Child's Best Stuffed Animals?


Have you been enduring problems getting the children to bed or lie down just for a nap? Small children prefer to stay up and play or watch TV because they think sleeping isn't fun in any way. You could start to make sleeping hours more exciting for the kids with a great new, comfy and insanely pleasant My Pillow Pets. Keep reading to find out where you can get them at a great price.

My Pillow Pets mix all of the enjoyment of your son or daughter's favorite stuffed animal, with the comfort of a pillow they can definitely use to nap on. Provided that there are more than 32 distinctive styles available, you'll be able to locate a design that the child will fall head over heels in love with.

First introduced in 2003, My Pillow Pets have already been excellent friends and companions for children coming from all age ranges everywhere. These cuddly pets were born from the creative thinking of a San Diego mum of two, who grew sick and tired of having to pick up stuffed animals dispersing around her young kids' rooms. What began as a simple goal of changing a regular stuffed animal right into a practical product for children has skyrocketed to become a great industry of favorite retail and wholesale merchandise.

They really are a pillow as well as a stuffed animal, both rolled into one. Made from super soft, machine washable chenille, Pillow Pets totally transform from a regular size pillow right into a warm, friendly, and snuggly pet with one strap. They are available in numerous lovable pet types of different sizes, large and small, living in the forests, around the farm as well as in the ocean. These fascinating stuffed animals vary from a large 18 inch Pets Dog to Miss Lady Bug, a cute little Wiggly Pig, a cuddly Lavender Unicorn, a cheeky Monkey, seemingly slow but fun Pets Turtles, big Panda, Penguin, soft flurry Pets Dolphin, Mr Frog, or the famous Buzzy Bumble Bee and much more. All are perfect sleeping time pals, traveling buddies along with entertaining, furry friends for those other times.

Even though My Pillow Pets began as just six different creatures, they have since broadened the range to around twenty designs, with many more to be released regularly. And it's not only pillows. This stuffed animal range now also boasts new creative products, for example Pillow Pet back packs, school bags and blankets. Small or large, they all have something in common, that is their ability to stir up that sense of animal loving, caring and protection in young kids.

In case your kid already loves stuffed animals, then these pillow pets is going to take their love to a whole new level. If they haven't had an opportunity to play with stuffed animals before this there is no better toy than My Pillow Pets to introduce your young children to a whole new exciting world of fur friends. You'll see them carry these new companions throughout the house all the time, even take them to bed in the evening too.

They are great for nap time, well suited for bedtime and can also give your kids lots of entertainment values throughout their awaking time. You can take them with you when travelling, so your kid has their best buddy in the vehicle or maybe on the flight together, plus they also very easily and quickly become a cozy cushion when the moment for slumber arrives. Pillow Pets are machine washable and really resilient so can last through a great deal of play as well as through food and drink spills and children's general toy abuse.

Pillow Pets are made from a high quality chenille type material, and it is sewn together perfectly. There isn't any moving components, or even detachable bits, and so the item is very safe and secure for kids. Anyone who has bought these stuffed animals usually have rave reviews about them. They'll last for a long time, even with the normal harsh play children often do to their toys.

You and your youngsters will be surprised about over 32 different types of colorful, vibrant stuffed pets to pick from. Varying from farm critters to sea creatures, to lovely backyard garden insects and forest creatures, there's a My Pillow Pet your youngster will definitely appreciate. They all are really soft and cuddly, and so they can certainly provide your children a warm and safe feeling.

Pillow Pet serves various purposes, that makes it stand above traditional toys. They are cuddle friends for kids to hang around with, after which it once they get sleepy this stuffed animal might be converted right into a comfy pillow the kid can use for snooze time. You will discover there is a Velcro strap at the base of the Pillow Pet, and all that's needed would be to pull this strap away, and you will see the toy change into a wooly comfortable pillow.

My Pillow Pets are also flexible enough for the children to play with on a long car trip or plane journey, and then using it afterward as a pillow when they find themselves in need of some rest.

They makes a fantastic present that is affordable, trendy and also totally practical. You will find it difficult to see any other toy for under 20 dollars which a young child will use and enjoy at the same level as these lovely stuffed animals. The more you purchase the greater you will save, since every extra item that you buy following your first will be given a lower price.




My Pillow Pets are excellent gifts for almost any situation, and are particularly perfect Christmas toys to offer to your children this holiday season. They are something which your children will treasure and enjoy for a long time to come, without you needing to hurt you wallet purchasing them. Visit our website for My Pillow Pets best price.




2012年6月22日 星期五

Are Your Kids Really Ready For Pets?


So your child wants a pet of his/her very own. Are you sure you are ready to handle it? Is he/she?

Infants can't handle any sort of pet. They aren't old enough to take care of one. You will have to supervise the interaction between your child and you.

A toddler will pull an animal's tail; try to pick it up and squeeze it. You will have to supervise their together time and if you allow the child to help with feeding and cleaning you have to supervise the work, too.

A guinea pig is a recommended pet for a child from 3-5. You should still supervise the time your child spends with the animal. They like to be held and are small enough to be held by a little person. You will have to take care of feeding and cleaning the cage.

A child can handle taking care of a fish in a bowl. He/she can feed the fish and talk to it but you, the adult, will have to clean the bowl.

Children are ready to take care of a dog or cat around 12. By this age they can clean the liter box, walk the dog, make certain the animal has food and water. When your children are older teens remember that they continue to take care of the animal but when they go away to college it will become your job.

People often give baby rabbits and chicks to children for Easter. This is not a good idea. Children have a very short attention span and do not understand how fragile these animals are. In fact, I would not let anyone give a child a pet without first talking to me.

A pet is a great way to teach a child responsibility but perhaps you might start with a virtual pet. Virtual pets can either be small and portable or on the computer. They have to be housed, fed, watered, and walked. If you do not do your job, the pet will die; just like in real life.

If your child really wants a pet you might arrange for him/her to help out in a pet shop or at a shelter. Even a child as young as ten can help with food and water and exercising the animals. A child who is very careful might be able to assist with bathing or combing and brushing an animal. It is a good way to learn before you bring a pet into your house. If you do not want your child doing work in one of these venues perhaps you could ask if he/she could assist a neighbor, friend or relative with their pet on a temporary basis.

Children and pets form a lifelong friendship. Dogs and cats sleep with their child owner and would willingly give their lives for him/her. A pet can be a constant guardian for your child. A dog is a good motivational tool if your child is not an outdoors person. Having to take the dog for a walk will get him/her out of the living room and away from the television. Having the responsibility of a pet teaches discipline. The child learns that certain things must be done at certain times for the good of the animal.

Pets can be good for certain medical conditions of all members of the house and yet some children are denied pets because of allergies. Research to see what pet your child's allergy will allow you to get.

Some children, usually the older ones, want exotic pets. I am not certain that any child is mentally ready to care for an exotic animal so if you, the parent, aren't in for 100%, maybe you had better veto the idea before he goes to the pet store and orders his tarantula or his python. Lately geckos have become the pet du jour. The one you get will not be like the gecko on the commercial. He will be unable to communicate with your child and the child will have to make certain it gets its special insects or other food.

Personally, I cannot imagine allowing my child to bring home a hissing cockroach as a pet but that's just me.




Herb likes to consider parenting decisions carefully. Please check out his website with information on tattoo removal prices and details on lazer tattoo removal.




Pets, Children and Love


Children love animals. One only has to ask a child what their favorite movie, book or toy is and there is a good chance that it involves an animal. Pets are a wonderful addition to families for many reasons. They are sweet, they are fun and they teach us to love unconditionally. Children will learn to care for pets, they will learn about empathy and about responsibilities and they will find out how much joy a pet can be. Not all pets, however, are appropriate for children. Choose a pet that interests your child, one that is relatively easy to care for and one that gets along with people and other pets.

A guinea pig is the sweetheart of all pets. If you get them young enough, they learn to enjoy cuddling, will eat from your hands and squeak happily at the sound of your voice. They are pretty easy to care for. Feed them daily, clean and refresh their water bottle every other day or so and change their bedding once a week. Other than that, all they require is a cage and a house for quiet time.

Another easy pet is a New Caledonian Crested Gecko. These geckos do not need humidifiers or special light-bulbs. Unlike lizards and chameleons, these geckos do not have to be fed live crickets. In the wild they live on rotting vegetation and at home they eat baby food and Crested Gecko food. They are gentle (they will sit on your arm for hours), have fun personalities and do not bite or scratch. You can, however, make their tail come off quite easily so teach your little ones to pick them up gently by holding their bodies, not their tails.

Other pets include cats and dogs which are the most popular pets in the United States. They also need more care so consider wisely. Rabbits can be taught to play ball and use a litter box, hamsters can be hand-fed and fish are fun to watch. The one thing that all pets have in common is the happiness they can bring into our lives.




When Dan is not out walking his dogs or playing games with his cats, he writes consumer reviews. His latest project has to do with the Goodyear assurance tripletred tire. So if you're looking for tire reviews, check out his blog at Goodyear assurance.




Zhu Zhu Pet Hamsters - Zhu Zhu Pets Reviewed


Zhu zhu pet hamsters have taken the toy world by storm. After a sell out pre-launch the interactive, furry toy is back in the shops and selling like hotcakes.

I've trawled the internet searching for honest customer reviews and useful information about the zhu zhu pets product range and this is what I've found:

The biggest problem with zhu zhu pet hamsters is their huge popularity.

When the zhu zhu pet hamsters were given a pre-launch test run in Phoenix they were an instant hit and sold out.

Since then the first wave of the official release hit the stores two days ago at time of writing. Within hours there were hardly any left at one major online retailer, and one person rang a large department store only to be told they'd sold out their entire stock in two minutes!

Oh-oh!

So what is a Zhu Zhu Pet Hamster?

It's a toy suitable for children aged about three up to eight or nine. It is not suitable for younger children as it has some small parts which could be a choking hazard.

The toy is a battery operated, interactive pet hamster. This little creature is very cute. It is soft to touch and has a realistic, lifelike look and feel.

The electronics are cutting edge so the toy features a variety of 'intelligent' responses including sounds and movements. It operates in two main modes: 'nurturing' and 'adventuring'.

Nurturing is when the zuzu pets are picked up and snuggled. When children pet them on the nose they make happy little squeaks and purrs.

Zhuzhu pets have over forty different sound effects.

When the zhu zhu hamster has his or her back stroked they transform into adventure mode. They scurry around their modular environment or run loose around the living room. They make different sounds and actions depending on the environment they encounter. Like toilet-flushing and teeth-brushing sounds when they enter their bathroom.

They are powered by two standard batteries.

There is a range of accessories like exercise wheels and slides and hamster mobiles available so children can customize and extend their hamster world.

What Are People Saying About the Toys?

Overwhelmingly the customer reviews are positive. Typical comments include "this toy is fabulous" and "my son is going to be playing with this for a long time..."

The toy seems to be an instant hit with children, especially three to five year olds. And even better than that children are enjoying them day after day. I've read about children taking them to bed and playing quietly in their rooms for hours.

Even parents are going gaga over how cute the little critters are.

What about functionality?

When you watch the pet hamsters in action they seem to get stuck a lot. At first I thought this was a design flaw but now I think that's part of their success. They pause like live pets would, from curiosity and other responses. This gives kids the opportunity to get involved and play with their new friend.

Natalie Hornsby, of Cepia, LLC, the St. Louis, Missouri company which makes zhu zhu pet hamsters, says "They`re completely interactive, as if they have a mind of their own."

You see, the really innovative thing about this new breed of realistic electronic pet is that they don't just run around mechanically and mindlessly. They need the constant interaction of the child to help create their 'intelligent' response.

This is really keeping children enchanted and engaged.

Some people have reported that the batteries included with the product didn't last very long. The good news is that the when the batteries were replaced with higher grade batteries not only did the toy go for longer but they also went faster.

Hamsterworld Accessories

There are 12 add-ons including a hamstermobile and garage, slide, exercise wheel and funhouse. They range in price from around twenty to thirty dollars up to one hundred odd.

Customer feedback on the add-ons suggests they are durable and very easy to assemble.

Kids love all the extras of course as they can expand and customize their hamsterworld and get maximum value from their new toy.




Nobody could predict how crazily popular zhuzhu pets would be. Now it really is a battle to even find one. The price is fluctuating crazily but people don't really care at the moment. Their kids are going nuts for them and people are just grabbing them when and if they can. Make no mistake about it, zhu zhu pet hamsters are the hit of the season.

Visit http://www.squidoo.com/zhuzhu-pets to find out more.




2012年6月21日 星期四

Creative Ways to Help Kids Through a Pet Loss


Pet loss is difficult enough when you are an adult and understand the concept of death. However, grasping this concept when you are a child can be next to impossible. This has much to do with the fact that children don't often fully understand loss of any magnitude and certainly don't understand it where their pets are involved.

Children are often more attached to pets in a different way than are adults. They consider their pets to be friends and play companions. Therefore, when a child loses a pet, it is hard to understand and often completely devastating to a child. Understanding this will help adults to deal with children experiencing a pet loss. Here are five creative ways to help your child through the loss of a pet:

* Allow them to talk about it: Don't try to shove the issue under the rug, so to speak. Instead, encourage them to talk openly about what they are feeling and the emotions that they experience on a daily basis. Anytime they need to talk about what happened, encourage them to be open and honest and talk about their feelings with the people they are most comfortable with.

* Encourage them to express themselves through other mediums (art, music, etc.): This is always a great way for children to express anything they going through - positive or negative. Allow them to do paintings or drawings; they can be about anything from what they are feeling to pictures of their lost pet. Allow them to convey whatever they need to through the use of art.

* Don't offer to immediately replace their pet: One of the biggest mistakes parents make in dealing with pet loss is replacing the lost pet with a new one too soon. Allow your child to process their grief and loss over their current pet and when - and only when - they are ready, and then allow them to be involved in the process of choosing a new pet.

* Make them a scrapbook or other picture album: Because most children will want to remember their pet, make a scrapbook or photo album of the pet. Include solo photos as well as photos of the child with the pet, providing them with the means to remember all of the good times they shared with their pet.

* Try a kid-friendly product, like a Kidoodlyrock: A Kidoodlyrock is a pet grave marker with your child's drawing of their pet engraved onto it. This is a great way to help your child feel involved in creating their pet's memorial, while using art to help them work through their grief. This is one of the first pet loss products geared towards children and is the perfect way to help them through such a difficult time.

These tips are designed to help children overcome the grief that accompanies pet loss. However, it should be noted that not all children react to loss the same (each age is different) and some may take more time than others to come to terms with the loss of their friend. Be sure to patient and allow them the space to grieve without rushing the process, understanding that with time, their hurt will heal.




Colleen Mihelich
Owner, Peternity . . . honoring your pet for eternity
http://www.peternity.com
colleen@peternity.com
877-PET-PEACE




If Our Pets Were Really Our 'Minor Children' Most of Us 'Parents' Would Be in Jail for Child Neglect


As a pet owner, do you need to have a pet trust or will in your estate plan? Well, maybe so, given the fact that in the American society of today one fundamental sociological reality has now become absolutely indisputable and well-established, namely, that America's house pets (generally defined nowadays to include dogs, cats, fish, reptiles, and other small animals) are increasingly considered a member of the family or a child, and not just "animals" any more.

The evidence? The results of many credible surveys and studies, for example, which show, as in the case of an October 1999 report by the USA Today newspaper, for example, that more than 66% of American pet owners consider their pets as "a member of the family," or as in the case of a more recent survey by the American Animal Hospital Association, which show that a whopping 84% of them thought of their animal companions as being their kids. As well as the evidence from the physical attitude, treatment and relationship of pet owners towards their companion animals. Unfortunately, however, that's not the case! Not at all. In deed, quite the opposite is the case with most pet owners. Yes, it's true that among pet lovers a strong impulse and wish often exists to make such a provision for the care of their pets in the event of the incapacity or death of the pet owner. But, typically, the vast majority of the American pet owners generally fail to follow through, however, to actually translate that professed desire into reality for the pets' future. In point of fact, the most modern and effective way to "plan" for the pet's future protection and care in case of a serious contingency, is through setting up an estate planning instrument called a "pet trust" for the pets. With a valid pet trust (and a few other simple estate planning vehicles related to it), you can make specific provisions for the care of your pets in the event of your disability or death, and provide for a reliable caretaker and funding arrangement for the pet which will be legally enforceable by the courts.

Nevertheless, most pet owners fail to set up such a device for their pets. Most pet owners, in deed even the estate plan professionals and lawyers in the field, are not too well informed about it. Pet owners pathetically fail, in overwhelming numbers, either to make any estate planning at all in their own affairs, or to include their pets in such plans, and frequently wind up leaving their pets with no protections and subject to undue sufferings, agony, even euthanasia after their owners are incapacitated or dead.

David Congalton, co-author of "When Your Pet Outlives You," puts it this way: "How many of us have already gone the extra step to make sure our animal companions are safe if something unexpected happens to us? The Answer is NOT many."

One 2000 study, for example, by pet law expert and pioneer, Prof. Gerry W. Beyer, reports that only between 12 percent and 27 percent of pet owners have provisions in their wills relating to their companion animals. JUST 27 percent - AT THE MOST!

NO WAY TO TREAT YOUR REAL MINOR CHILDREN. Pets, Our "Children"? Our "family members"?

Many studies have been conducted which show that many dogs, cats and other pets found in shelters end up there only because their owners became unexpectedly ill or incapacitated, or were for some reason unable to care for them, or died without leaving any plans for their pets' next home or care.

A survey conducted between 1994 and 1997 by the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy, for example, found "that 64 percent of all pets that entered the participating shelters for any reasons, were euthanized." And David Congalton & Charlottte Alexander, co-authors of When Your Pet Outlives You, confirm that "More than 15 million dogs and cats are euthanized in animal shelters across the nation annually...[shelters] currently handle less than 1 percent of the nationwide abandoned parrot population."

Can you possibly imagine our treating our HUMAN minor children with such gross neglect or carelessness, even indifference and callousness? We would all almost surely be hauled to jail en mass for the crime of abandonment and neglect of our helpless, innocent, loving minor children, wouldn't we? Can you possibly imagine us leaving our minor or infant HUMAN children completely to fend for themselves when we're not there, and without the normal protections and safeguards as would assure that they'll have some substitute home and a caretaker, if we were not able or around, as are largely accorded them today? Or, possibly imagine us leaving our real minor human children behind with virtually one certain realistic fate for them - euthanasia and death?

Clearly, the main reason why these animals wind up wandering the streets or get euthanized, after their owners are incapacitated or dead, is because they simply can't find homes. Their owners had made no thorough plan or arrangement - an estate plan - that would have put together such an arrangement for a next home, a suitable caretaker, and the funding plan, to assure that objective for the pets. Not a particularly comforting scenario especially for those of us who think of our pets as being like our kids! We have all heard the "horror stories" about pets being left behind in homes and apartments after the September 11th tragedy and the Katrina disaster. Such stories were, of course, more "visible." And are seemingly more horrifying because of that visibility factor. The central problem of the kind of frightening fate that pets face when they're left behind with no good estate plan arrangement, however, is not by any means uncommon or limited. It is general and widespread. And, it is real for most pets - long, long before September 11th and Katrina, and thereafter to this date.

THE MESSAGE? Take advantage of the recent advancements in the pet laws of the nation and simply create a good estate plan, including a valid "pet trust," making specific provisionsfor the care of your pets in the event of your disability or death, and provide for a reliable caretaker and funding arrangement for the pet that will be legally enforceable by the courts. A good estate plan for the pet, to be complete, should also include a host of other special instruments, ranging from a suitable durable power of attorney, animal cards and animal identification and information documents, to Inter Vivos or Testamentary trust, etc. With such a plan in place, you'll pretty much assure that in the event of any serious emergency in your life, your pets will not likely wind up in the pound or shelter somewhere awaiting euthanasia, but will be taken into a safe home and will be properly cared for by a responsible, caring caretaker

WHAT A WAY TO DEMONSTRATE OUR OWN UNCONDITIONAL LOVE FOR OUR PETS! We talk all the time about the unconditional love of our pets for us - unfailingly. Now, what about our own UNCONDITIONAL LOVE for them? Clearly, the ultimate, most genuine expression of 'LOVE' that we can bestow as a pet owner upon a beloved animal companion, is to assure a legally valid estate plan by which that pet animal would be protected and properly cared for in the event of our incapacitation or death.




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Keeping Children, Cats, and Dogs Safe While Living Together


Pets can complete a family. They bring companionship, joy, and stress relief. Pets offer an opportunity to teach children the responsibility of caring for another living thing. A pet can also have a therapeutic effect for children coping with difficulties.

Parents have the ultimate responsibility when deciding to add a pet to the family. Many different kinds of animals are available as pets suitable for children. Cats and dogs are among the most popular family pets. Safety for both the animal and the children has to be a top priority.

Families choosing a cat or dog as a pet usually are attracted to breeds that are characteristically good with families and tolerant of children. It is important for parents to remember that all pets, no matter how easy going the breed, will bite or scratch if provoked enough. Parents must put in place safety measures for the benefit of both the pet and the child.

Babies, toddlers and preschoolers have to be supervised constantly with pets. Children of this age are extremely impulsive and do not understand the consequences to their actions. They pull hair, ears and tails; poke eyes, noses and mouths; and step or jump on legs, tails and bodies. Even the most docile animal who has put up with this treatment before could suddenly bite. Expecting an animal to tolerate this treatment is cruel and abusive.

With children under 5, focus on teaching the child gentle touching.

o Show children how to pet the cat or dog from the neck to the back and stop at the tail. It doesn't feel good for the animal's fur to be ruffed backwards. Also, don't allow the child to pet the tail since his hands could touch the anal area.

o Make a firm rule not to touch the animal's face. This will lessen the chance of the child poking the dog's eyes or the cat's nose.

o Do not allow the child to put her face close to the animal's face. Many animals don't like their space invaded. A dog can snap. A cat can scratch.

o Another rule you cannot waver from is not allowing a small child to pick up the cat or small dog. Hugs can easily turn into strangle holds and the pet may be dropped. Young children should only be allowed to hold a pet when they are sitting.

As children get older, they can be trusted with more independence when in the company of their pets. Even children in the lower elementary grades need to be monitored when playing with their pets. They like to include their cat or dog in their imaginative play and when recreating what they see on television. Children may like to play dress up or bad guy vs good guy shooting games.

Parents need to always take the responsibility for the pet and child's safety. More things to think about for children of all ages include:

o Never, ever allow a child to jump over an animal. The pet may move at the last minute and the child may jump on top of the animal causing serious injury.

o Teach children to allow their pet to get away. This is particularly true for cats. When you see your dog or cat getting up and moving away from your child and she keeps going over to her pet, intervene. This is the pet's message that he doesn't want to play. Also, do not allow your child to chase her pet when it's trying to get away. When an animal feels cornered it can attack.

o Plan ahead and provide your pet with an escape route and safe place to go. Do not allow your child to disturb your pet when in its safe place. For a dog it can be his doghouse or bed. For a cat it can be its cat tree or a back bedroom.

o When animals get older their bodies start getting achy and they can become more temperamental. Parents must protect the elderly pet by restricting access by children if the pet has become less tolerant.

If your cat or dog is not working out as an appropriate family pet, be responsible enough to find him a suitable home. Honestly evaluate whether your cat or dog likes living with the activity and attention of children. If not, find him a home with only adults. Also honestly evaluate whether your family's lifestyle or children's personalities are appropriate for a pet. If you are gone from home all of the time, or if your children are not respectful of your pet's needs, find your pet a more compatible home.




Karen is a mother to 3 children, ages 18, 16 and 6. She has fostered 20 children and still counting. Karen is a special education teacher and uses her talents to parent special needs and drug expoed children in foster care. She also runs a successful online home-based business. http://karenjmiller.info/




2012年6月20日 星期三

Pet Adoption Might the Best Thing To Do for You and Your Family


Pet adoption just might be the best thing you can do for yourself and your family So many pets are homeless these days. The Humane Society of the United States, says an 8 to 10 million cats and dogs enter animal shelters annually. And in conjunction with this 4 to 5 million cats and dogs are being euthanized by these shelters. These figures don't include those in small, local and home-based shelters you see at the Petco's or PetSmart's in your local communities. There are also animal rescue organizations that take abused and abandoned animals.

The most common reason that an animal shelter can hear from pet parents surrendering their pets is that they are moving. And in this economy it's a sad fact that the numbers are growing as people lose jobs, homes and they can't, in many cases, afford to treat these pests properly and surrendering them is the last option in these sad, sad circumstances.

Notwithstanding behaviour problems are also other reasons for giving up a pet. Too much barking, chewing everything, too hyper or aggressiveness of the pets are the common cited behaviour problems cited. Any way you look at it the end result is that we have too many pets up for adoption or homeless in general.

Pet Adoption as the Solution

The first thing we need to address is to get rid of the myths surrounding pet adoption in general and the quality of pets that are available. Animal shelters, unlike what these myths say, have healthy animals. Shelters often have as much information from previous owners to determine what kind of vaccination has already been provided. Aside from medical care investigation, shelters also provide the necessary treatments and will spay or neuter the animals before being adopted to prevent a recurrence of the current situation in the future.

Pet adoption is taking responsibility for an animal put up for adoption due to the circumstances mentioned above. With pet adoption, these pets get a chance in finding the appropriate, caring and life long home for them. Aside from this humane chance we are giving to man's best friends, there are also benefits from adopting animals.

Some of the benefits are: According to http://www.sciencedaily.com, much going research proves that pet parents have lower blood pressure, less anxiety, and experience lifts in their depression. A study proved that with aa little as 10 minutes, a pet can lower blood pressure significantly.

Actually, senior citizens, who are great pet adoption candidates, actually need less medical attention. Not only are the elderly deriving benefits from pets. Children exposed to pets during their first year of life have a lower frequency of many childhood maladies.

However you look at it Pet adoption should never be done without prior though and planning. There are numerous reasons why pets are being surrendered to shelters and rescue groups, most common reason is not thinking the decision through about getting a pet and then failing to the understand the responsibility that taking care of pets requires.

This is just the first in a series of missives about pet adoption. Here's a little blog about pet adoption that might be interesting http://budurl.com/Adoptapet and http://www.petfinder.com/blog/

Look for more shortly about pound puppies and pound kitties

Bill Joyce




Bill Joyce Been a pet owner and animal adopter for years. Pound puppies and pound pets are the best. Atlanta, GA for more info please visit http://budurl.com/Adoptapet




Let Your Children Help Choose The Family Pet - Part One


Have your children been hounding you for a dog, cat, rabbit or hamster? Are you already contemplating adding a new family member in the form of a pet? Let your children have a say in your choice of what type of animal you'll be welcoming into your home. As with many big decisions in life, such as moving to a new home, the more you keep your children involved in the decision-making process and preparations, the more they'll be excited about, and ready to participate in, the responsibilities and adjustments that the change entails. In the case of a new pet, this early involvement in the choice of an animal will help your children along the way to accepting responsibility for their choices and their actions, plus it will contribute towards their growing up to be caring and accountable as adults.

The first decision to be made regarding a new pet is, what species shall it be? Have your children always dreamed of having a dog who would accompany them on their adventures? Perhaps they want a soft, warm and affectionate cat to cuddle up with on a rainy day and tell their troubles to. Have your kids wished for a whiskered little brown mouse who would climb into a snug shirt pocket to retrieve a hidden nut or take a little nap?

In addition to such heart-based desires for particular types of pets, there are also some fundamental issues that must be addressed. What type of pet is your family in the best position to house and care for? How much space, money and time do you have to devote to your pets? Animals are not toys to be bought on impulse and then tossed away when they cease to amuse or become a burden. By considering such important questions and making well thought out decisions at the outset, you can avoid contributing to the sorrow of animals who are abandoned or end their short lives in animal shelters.

The first issue to think about is space. Do you have a large enclosed yard safe from cars and other dangers, such as broken glass or harmful chemicals? Do you live in a city apartment where a dog would have to be cooped up all day, with nothing to do but look forward to the brief evening walks?

Cats can settle more comfortably into apartment living and, in an urban environment, cats are far safer remaining indoors than allowed to roam where all sorts of dangers like cars, dogs, diseases, discarded antifreeze could prematurely end their lives. The outside world can be fatal for cats. For example, in winter outdoor cats may climb up under a car's hood for the residual warmth of the engine, and then be killed when the unsuspecting driver starts up his car.

Small rodents don't require much space, although you should build them as large a house as you possibly can, and never confine them to sad little cages devoid of space to run and play, or lacking in platforms, wheels and trapezes to entertain them. Large wood and screen homes are also better ventilated than those with glass or plastic sides and thus much healthier for small companion animals.

Money is another easily overlooked, but important factor to consider when deciding what pet your family would like. You can avoid later heartbreak by doing a few calculations in advance. While small pets such as rats, mice, hamsters, and gerbils require that you furnish them with a living space of their own, their food, water bottles and such are inexpensive. Cats and dogs are much larger and eat more, increasing the size of your monthly food bills, plus they require regular visits to the vet for routine shots, not to mention the one time expense of spaying or neutering procedures. Once you've made the decision to welcome any animals into your home, you have the responsibility to give them the best care and treatment possible.

Time is of the essence. Is your entire household off at work or school all day? Will a highly social animal, such as a dog, spend most days alone and forlorn? Certain types of pets demand more of your time, in more ways than one. First of all, consider the daily time needed to handle your pets' daily needs, such as feeding, washing water dishes, cleaning out litter pans, changing fish tanks, grooming, or dog walking. Will these routine chores be a pleasure to perform for the animals you love, an unpleasant necessity that you really don't mind, or an unwelcome burden that leads you to resent the presence of these animals in your home?

The second critical part of the question of available time is the important role that love and affection play in your pets' well-being. While a colony of mice might not mind if they're not played with by you or your children for a few days, dogs and cats will suffer for it. Some animals' emotional stability depends on the love they receive from the human members of the family. Cuddling, patting, and play can make all the difference in a pet's happiness, and in how well they fit into their home environment. Would you prefer a cat who runs and hides or tries to scratch you when you approach her, or one who rubs up against your leg and climbs into your lap for a cuddle ? To a large extent, it is your behavior and that of your children that will determine the personality and behavior of the pets who share your home. Happy and sweetly dispositioned pets are those who are well cared for and well loved. Before taking on pets who need a lot of your time, be sure that you have time to give. In addition, give thought to what will happen to your pets when you head off on vacation. Would your pets go with you, or do you have friends or relatives who can come into your home and care for your pets, as well as spend time with them ? Or would you board your pets?

Pets are often seen as a way to teach children responsibility, and the children are the ones who will be expected to take the time to attend to their pet's physical and emotional needs. This approach can be of great value to children. If, however, the children are not yet ready to handle such responsibilities, or they neglect their duties and lose interest in their pets, it is the animals who suffer the consequences. Therefore, in the process of selecting family pets, you must decide how much time and devotion you yourself are willing to give to your household animals. You need to be willing to clean those litter pans or walk the dog in the pouring rain, if necessary. Your pets cannot be made to suffer . Animals are living beings with needs and feelings and they cannot be made to bear the brunt of neglect in case the children renege on their promises to do everything, if only they were allowed to have that dog or rabbit or other pet.




Barbara Freedman-De Vito has been involved with children and animals for many years. She's been a teacher, children's librarian, wildlife rehabilitator, artist and writer on topics related to both children and animals. Her husband, Bob, has also run an animal shelter and done animal rescue work. You can see I Love Small Animals T-Shirts, Bumper Stickers, Mugs, Magnets and other small animal gifts in her shop.




Are Pets Good For Children?


Most parents will, at one time or another, be asked by their children if

they can have a pet of some sort. Kids and pets go together like ham

and eggs on a Sunday morning. Most people agree that kids should

have pets. Not only does having a pet teach a child the responsibility

of caring for another living creature, but it creates a bond between the

child and the animal.

Pets ask for very little but give unconditional love to their owners.

Most children are interested in animals the minute they see these

creatures. According to many psychiatrists, children who grow up with

pets tend to be more caring towards other individuals.

In addition to creating empathy, pets can also raise a child's self

esteem. A pet will always be there for a child, even when it seems as

if nothing else is going right. There is a comfort that most people,

children and adults, find in being unconditionally loved.

Studies of heart attack victims indicate that those who have pets are

four times more likely to recover from their heart attack than those

without pets. Pets calm us. The stabilize us in a highly unstable

world. No matter what is going on in your life, your pet will still want

to be walked at a certain time and you will do it because it is part of

your routine.

Routines are the mainstay of a healthy mind. Routines are just as

important to children as they are to adults. One thing that children

like to feel more than anything else is safe. One way to get security in

your life and your child's life is through routine. Pets force us to

maintain a routine, making the entire family more balanced.

Just about everyone agrees that pets are good for kids. Even if it is a

simple goldfish swimming around in a bowl, pets can teach children so

many of life's lessons that they are well worth the investment. The

type of pet that you get your kids depends upon their age as well as

your lifestyle.




Victor C. is an Engineer in Computer Systems who loves to read and write about any subject, as long as it's interesting and useful for the reader.

He is specially interested in Health, Flirting and Babies And Pets

Find out more about his passions at: Funny Pets Videos [http://www.petlandvip.com]

Watch Great Pets Funny Videos At: Funny Pets Video Collection [http://www.petvideosworld.com]




2012年6月19日 星期二

The Hardest Lesson Of All: Teaching Children About Death


How many uses can you find for a dead fox? When I happened upon one recently whilst out walking with my children, the poor lifeless creature suddenly became the catalyst for an important family moment. It was an opportunity to talk about death. You won't find 'thanatology' on the curriculum at school, yet it's the one subject that every child will have to deal with at some point. Thanatology is the little known word used to describe death education, a taboo in our society, especially when dealing with children. They learn about birth in sex education, but our final rite of passage is rarely acknowledged by either school or home.

It is estimated by Winston's Wish, a charity that works with bereaved children and their families, that 5% of children will experience the death of a parent or sibling, and 10% will lose a parent, carer, close friend or relative. Most children will be aware of the death of someone more distant, or will lose a pet. No matter how idyllic we try to make childhood, death will always be there to cast a shadow.

The modern child's relationship to death is likely to be a puerile one. Many children are exposed to high levels of glorified violence and death through television and video games. At Halloween they play ghoulish games to confront fears about what lies beyond the grave. However, most children are unlikely to have ever seen a real dead body, or possibly even had a meaningful conversation with an adult about our final destiny. It is important that we share with children the reality of death, not in a morbid, fearful way, but as a natural process and great mystery. We all want children to inhabit a happy, positive world, but to deny them the reality of death also denies them something about the reality of life. In the words of the popular spiritual writer, the late M.Scott Peck, 'When we shy away from death, the ever-changing nature of things, we inevitably shy away from life.' Also, if we do not allow the concept of death to gently permeate children's lives, they will be ill prepared if sudden tragedy were to strike.

The children's bereavement charity The Gone Forever Project is pressing the Government and Teacher's Training Agency to include death education in the school curriculum. It wants to ensure that all teachers are trained in the awareness of the issues which surround loss and bereavement, as part of their initial training. Teachers can include death education across the curriculum, as part of emotional literacy in Personal, Social and Health Education, or funeral rituals in Religious Education. Death could also be discussed in science lessons in terms of the lifecycle of the natural world. Schools also often have to respond to real deaths, either of a pupil, a parent or teacher. My son's junior school recently held an assembly in memory of one its pupils who had died of leukaemia. Helium balloons were released by the children with goodbye messages. Holding such a ceremony was controversial amongst the staff, some of whom thought it might be unnecessarily upsetting. When I went to collect my children, many pupils were weeping. It was terribly sad, but I felt that as well as being an important farewell ritual, it also reminded us all of the value of life. Parents and children seemed to be acutely aware of how much they loved each other that day.

Parents will find that opportunities to discuss death with their children will spontaneously occur. On the simplest level you can point out to your children the cycles of birth and death that exist in nature. Notice together how the flowers first bloom, then die, how autumn and winter follow spring and summer. Discuss the ageing process by observing the physiology between old and young; and like the fox we found at the roadside, there are likely to be animal corpses to contemplate.

The death of a pet often provides children with their first experience of personal grief, and for this reason is a positive learning experience. When a child's pet dies a parent needs to be sensitive about the loss, no matter how small the animal. An important way of doing this is by making sure there is a thoughtful goodbye ritual. This reassures the child that the pet was cared for, as well as providing a focus for their bereavement. Debbie Orme runs 'Goodbye My Pet' a company that makes attractive cardboard pet coffins and grave markers. It also supplies a helpful ceremony book to guide parents and children through a simple pet funeral at home. 'I get lots of letters from families telling me how much the funeral helped them all come to terms with the loss of their pet. Parents also say that the experience enabled the family to share their beliefs and feelings in a way they wouldn't normally. Adult pet lovers have used my coffins and ceremony booklets too, with similar results.' Debbie Orme believes that although the loss of a pet is a sad event for children, if handled well, it can also become a meaningful and memorable family experience.

Children all deal with bereavement in different ways. Typically they may express their feelings through actions rather than words. Young children may wet the bed, cry and seek attention or feel unwell. Older children my display changes in personality, show sleep and appetite disturbances, find it hard to concentrate at school and become depressed. Some children may show no obvious signs of bereavement at all initially. It is quite usual for grief to come in waves and for a child to feel sad one moment, and the next seem perfectly happy. Although talking to children about the death of a person or animal that they love may be one of the hardest things we ever have to do, it is one of the most important ways we can help as they journey through their grief.

Children's levels of understanding about death

Under twos

Have little concept of death but will still miss the deceased and sense the upset.

Two to four year olds

Find it hard to understand that death is permanent, and may ask when the deceased is coming back.

Five to ten year olds

They begin to understand the finality of death, and can have lots of questions about it.

Adolescence

The finality of death is more fully understood. It may be a time of high emotions, and a reluctance to open up and share with you.




Article by Jane Bartlett and Debbie Orme for Goodbye My Pet, providers of home burial items and pet coffins. [http://www.goodbyemypet.co.uk]