A Puppy for Christmas

A Puppy for Christmas
 by: Angela Heyburn
So you want to buy the kids a puppy for Christmas. Sounds like a great idea, may even teach the kids responsibility by caring for the puppy.
We could put it in a box and put a large bow around it, pop in a few air holes - what a great surprise for the kids, Christmas morning.
Wrong! This is a very bad idea. Think about things from the puppy's point of view. It is a living creature with needs. Young puppies are only babies afterall. This could be its first night away from its mother and littermates - and you want to shove it in a box for over 12 hours. You will be opening a very soggy package in the morning.
Maybe you won't wrap the puppy in a box, but is it still a good idea to have the puppies' first day at home, on Christmas day? Will you have time to care for the puppy while rushing around? Are you going out to the relatives or are they coming to your place? All the commotion of Xmas Day could be quite upsetting to a baby puppy.
Puppies first day in his new home needs to be a peaceful occasion. You will need to introduce the puppy to his new environment and start the housetraining routine. While you may have bought the puppy for the children to learn responsibility, there will be very few children that are capable of carrying out this task. Are you prepared to see to the puppies needs if the children are not capable of carrying out these chores?
A puppy that is loved and cared for make great companions. Those that are bought on a whim often end up in the pound as their new owners have no idea how to raise them.
Please don't purchase a puppy as a Christmas present. Get your new puppy before or after the holiday period. A reputable breeder will not allow you to take a puppy home for Xmas day.
A puppy is for life. A week or two either side of Christmas day will make the world of difference to the puppy's start in life without the safety and security of its mother and littermates, and you will be able to spend important time with him.

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Have Pet ... Can Travel

Have Pet ... Can Travel
 by: Gerry Neustatl
If you are reading this, I guess you have a pet, need a holiday and don't want to waste your next hard-earned break watching round-the-clock rubbish on televsion. In days gone many pet owners simply did not go on holidays! "Why", I would ask them, and the answer was always the same: "Because we own a pet."
Fortunately pet owners have more options than they used to. These days you can often take your pet with you. Otherwise you can leave it in a secure boarding kennel or cattery, or even commission a pet minding service to visit and service your pet in its familiar environment. But which option is right for you and your pet?
So now you've taken the first step and put in for some annual leave. Your vacation is coming up... but what are you going to do with the family pet?
Option One: Pet Friendly Holidaying
Taking your pet with you on holidays is an option particularly popular among dog owners whose charges travel well. Gone are the days when travelling "pet friendly" meant rotting linoleum and a leaky roof. Many holiday venue operators now recognise that most pet owners are responsible adults who will look after a nice house in order to be invited back.
When travelling don't forget to take frequent rests, pack water for the travel along with your dog's water bowl, and don't leave your dog to bake in your car! You'll generally also be required to bring your pet's bedding, food and food containers.
Your pet should also be fully vaccinated, wormed and on a current flea treatment program. A first aid kit including tweezers or tick removers as well as antiseptic makes good sense, especially if there are likely to be ticks in the area.
Other pets can make excellent travel companions - cats and horses, for example, are welcomed at many holiday venues these days.
FOLLOW THE RULES: If you will be having your pet with you on holidays there are likely to be conditions. Find out what they are and follow them or you will not be welcomed back!
AVOID THE TELEVISION. Hopefully there isn't a TV there, but if there is, don't turn it on. You can watch TV at home and there are too many exciting things to do with your pet, friends and family, like bush walking, swimming... no, don't reach for the remote control. Make the most of your holiday and enjoy the Great Outdoors!
There are times when you can't take your pet with you, such as overseas holidays, business trips and when you are holidaying in regions that don't permit pets. So what are your options?
Option Two: In Home Pet Minding Services
If your pet is unlikely to fret excessively in your absence it can make sense to leave them in their familiar territory. A Pet Minder can visit your pet in your home or garden, supplying food, entertainment, a walk and maybe even a bath in your absence.
Leaving a pet in the house can even assist with security - who's going to break in when Cujo's guarding the front door?
As an added bonus a pet minder will often undertake additional duties including collecting mail, putting out the garbage and watering the plants. They can often attend to the other members of your family including fish, mice, birds etc.
Keeping up your dog's exercise regime is important. If your chosen pet minder cannot exercise your pet then arrange for a family member or professional dog walker to look after this for you.
When interviewing for a pet minder, it is OK, and expected that you will ask for references.
Not all dogs and cats are suited to staying home while you're away, especially if you'll be gone for an extended period. If your pet is likely to fret terribly, howl through the night, disturb neighbours or go wandering, then a boarding facility might be a better option for your pet's safety and security!
Option Three: Boarding Kennels and Catteries
A boarding kennel or cattery can provide a safe environment in your absence. Your pet will be fed according to the diet that you have prearranged - many boarding services can cater for the fussiest of animals.
Most boarding kennels have excellent exercise options available as well as ready access to a vet in case of emergency.
Know what to look for! Most boarding kennels and catteries are happy to show you through their premises if you make an appointment, but I favour boarding facilities that welcome your inspection without an appointment. Who knows what might get swept under the rug!
Your holiday - Relax and enjoy yourself
Now that your pets are taken care of, go and enjoy your holiday! Hang on a moment... what about the kids?

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Predator Tropical Fish

Predator Tropical Fish
 by: Nate Jamieson
Some tropical fish, either because of their size, feeding habits, or just their natural behavior, are not suitable for beginners to try and raise in a community tank. These are some of the big and bad, that you may want to avoid until you're more experienced.
Oscar- This native of the Amazon River and its tributaries, is a large fish, reaching 13-14" in length, although it can be sexually mature and laying eggs at 4". They do best in a tank with no "fussy" things like slender plants or ornaments. They prefer a medium texture substrate because they're great diggers, but do like wood or rock platforms that create a cave. The recommended food for Oscars is feeder goldfish, because they basically will eat anything small, that moves. This is why they can't be kept with smaller fish, or livebearers that will have young. Most hobbyists use a special large stick food that absorbs some water and moves with the motion in the aquarium, so it mimics prey.
Jack Dempsey- Another South American native, the Jack Dempsey comes in many of the same dark colors and spotting as the Oscar, featuring greens, brown and gray areas, which may help large species like this to hide amongst the bottom rocks. The Dempsey is similar to the Oscar in other ways as well, being a bottom digger, and preferring caves and wood to rest under. They are also a live feeder that will devour anything that moves, but unlike the Dempsey, they pursue their prey, and are considered to have "attitude" that makes them best suited to a tank of like-minded fish.
Discus- While not the bottomless pits that Oscars and Jack Dempseys are for feeding, the Discus is still a large fish, even at 6", and because of their native Amazon River environment, require a fairly specific habitat. In the wild they lived where trees had fallen into the river, and made their homes under and around the branches. In an aquarium, that means keeping a thick substrate where the light does not reach down to, as well as lots of wood pieces for hiding, and vegetation that goes from bottom to top. They are live feeders as many large fish are, but generally subsist on a diet of shrimp, tubifex and daphnia in good quantity. They are a fish that lives naturally in groups of five or six, and in the home environment, do not take well to upsets or changes in the tank.
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Hey guys. I'm Mallory. I am in 4-h obviously. I live in Florida. I own a thoroughbred/welsh pony named poppy and his showname is brownland's pop top. He is basically a thoroughbred trapped in a pony's body because there is nothing pony about him. He acts like a thoroughbred in everyway. He just turned 15. well tTYl.
present

horse in need of riding

Hey, I am a massachusetts 4-Her and my 4-H project horse needs some riding while I am working this summer. He is a 16.2 hand percheron/TB and he needs riding! I have a summer job and he needs to be kept in shape. He is trained in dressage, cross country, and jumping though he has mainly been my mom's trail horse since I left for college. He is located in Ashby, MA and we are surrounded by miles of trails and there is an indoor that can be used a short walk from my house. He is gentle and willing and loves to get out of the pasture! A summer lease or something may be able to be worked out, however he does need to stay on the property as he has EPSM and has diet requirements.

My icon is him, if you want more pictures just ask. I am putting down my home contact info as that is where he is located.

1-978-386-5692
mt_laurel7@yahoo.com
IM: xgivemeasignx

(x-posted)
  • kimijin

4Her!

Here everyone, I'm new to this community and I deicided to post a picture of my 4H club. I've been in horse 4H for five years now, and still goin' strong! Anyway, my club is called Bounday Bit'N Bridle from Grand Forks, BC, Canada. I *will* post some more pictures soon!

One giant pictureCollapse )
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New Community!

Hey! I just started a community for alpacas and llama people. Its pretty much a place to exchange information,ask questions, tell stories and post pictures or whatever. You dont need to actually own or know anything about llamas and alpacas to join, just a curiosity and interest in these animals. If you are interested in joining click on the link below:

http://www.livejournal.com/communi…