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AVOID RETURNING YOUR ADOPTED DOG TO THE SHELTER, AND WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE NO CHOICE. WILL YOU EVER BE ABLE TO ADOPT A DOG AGAIN?

  Returning a dog to the shelter happens pretty regularly in animal rescue.  Approximately ten percent of adopted dogs are returned to the rescue they were adopted from within six months.  Another ten percent will follow later. Why does this happen?  What can you do to avoid bringing the wrong dog into your family in the first place?  And, if you return a dog, will any shelter ever adopt to you again? KNOW YOUR LIMITS BEFORE YOU ADOPT TO AVOID HAVING TO RETURN YOUR DOG TO THE SHELTER Many shelter dogs have no past history, having been found as strays and never reclaimed.  It would be wonderful if previous owners would at least call Animal Control and give them an idea of the dog’s temperament and history.  But this just doesn’t happen.  If the previous owner has no desire to reclaim their dog, they generally have no interest in what eventually happens to it.  Which leaves the shelter reading past training and personality from only a few days or weeks at the facility. Even owner surrenders, where a personality assessment has…

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Continue ReadingAVOID RETURNING YOUR ADOPTED DOG TO THE SHELTER, AND WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE NO CHOICE. WILL YOU EVER BE ABLE TO ADOPT A DOG AGAIN?

HOW TO TAKE GREAT PET PHOTOS. PROFESSIONAL PET PHOTOGRAPHERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY SHARE THEIR BEST TIPS.

HOW TO TAKE GREAT PET PHOTOS. PROFESSIONAL PET PHOTOGRAPHERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY SHARE THEIR BEST TIPS We all want to take great pet photos.  Whether we’re sharing on Facebook or Instagram, we want our furry family members to look their best.  If you’ve ever whipped out your phone to show strangers pictures of your pups or kitties, even without being asked, this post is for you. These pet photography tips from professionals can help you take photos you'll be proud to share. PHOTO CONTROLS ON YOUR PHONE Before you can take really good photos, you’ll need to learn how to use all the capabilities on your phone’s camera.  There are some amazing features built into that “we use it for everything but making phone calls” device in your back pocket or purse.  For example, portrait mode, which focuses on a face (furry or not), and blurs the background; manual focus, so you can bring one object into focus while the rest of the photo blurs; and many other tricks.  Each improvement to your cell phone brings with it more and more…

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Continue ReadingHOW TO TAKE GREAT PET PHOTOS. PROFESSIONAL PET PHOTOGRAPHERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY SHARE THEIR BEST TIPS.

HAVE A SAFE AND FUN HALLOWEEN WITH YOUR DOGS AND CATS. DON’T LET THE EVENING TURN INTO A REAL HORROR STORY.

Like any other holiday, Halloween can be a frightening time for a pet.  There are scary noises, loud, laughing children, and constant comings and goings.  But there are ways to enjoy safe Halloween fun with pets. THE HALLOWEEN SAFETY WARNINGS FOR YOUR PET HALLOWEEN SAFETY There are several possible dangers to pets on Halloween.  The doorbell is ringing constantly, and, when the door is opened, there are usually a bunch of children in unusual costumes.  Many pets will be startled by this, especially if this is their first Halloween.  A rescue dog or cat, who may not have had a consistent, calm home before coming to yours, may be doubly terrified. Major pitfalls are: RUNNING AWAY Each time the door is opened is another chance for a frightened animal to bolt out into the dark.  Particularly if you have a new rescue pet, who has not yet accepted that this is “home”, a terrified dog or cat will often run off rather than retreat inside the home. If your pet is new to the home, or anxious, your best bet is…

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Continue ReadingHAVE A SAFE AND FUN HALLOWEEN WITH YOUR DOGS AND CATS. DON’T LET THE EVENING TURN INTO A REAL HORROR STORY.

SHOULD I ADOPT A DOG? MOST DON’T HAVE SERIOUS BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS. LEARN WHY DOGS REALLY END UP IN SHELTERS

SHOULD I ADOPT A DOG? YES, EVEN IF YOU'RE A FIRST-TIME PET OWNER Should I adopt a dog, even if I’ve never owned a dog before?  Many first-time dog owners are nervous when it comes to adopting a dog rather than buying a puppy.  For the general public not familiar with animal shelters, there is often a concern that adopted dogs will come with a host of serious behavior problems.  This is not true.  Of course, some will have their issues, but behavior is not a large factor when owners decide to surrender their pets. WHY DOGS ARE SURRENDERED TO SHELTERS OR RESCUES LACK OF TIME Lives change, and sometimes dog owners end up working more hours than they planned.  Or they’ve changed jobs and the new one requires regular travel.  Kids may have gone off to college, or family dynamics may have changed.  There are doggie day cares and dog walkers who can ease the burden of not having enough time to devote to your pet.  But some people can’t afford these alternatives, or don’t wish to use them. These…

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Continue ReadingSHOULD I ADOPT A DOG? MOST DON’T HAVE SERIOUS BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS. LEARN WHY DOGS REALLY END UP IN SHELTERS

MEET 10 ANCIENT JAPANESE DOG BREEDS, FROM LARGE TO TINY, INCLUDING 6 UNUSUAL ONES

Japanese dog breeds come in all varieties, from the massive Tosa Inu to the tiny Japanese Chin.  Many of these breeds were originally developed as hunters, but a few were meant for a human lap.  Is one of these dogs the right one for you?  Find out more below! This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a commission, at no additional cost to you. This will help enable me to maintain this website.” THE COMMON JAPANESE DOG BREEDS AKITA The Akita is a breed originally created for hunting bear, wild boar, and deer in the Japanese mountains.  A large, furry dog, Akitas come in many colors and color combinations.  Weighing between 70 and 130 pounds, these majestic dogs are now companion animals, rather than hunters. A Japanese breed known since at least the early 1600s, they almost went extinct during World War II as the hungry people of Japan unfortunately killed them for food and used their pelts to keep warm.  But, fortunately for the survivors, a man named Morie Sawataishi spent a…

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Continue ReadingMEET 10 ANCIENT JAPANESE DOG BREEDS, FROM LARGE TO TINY, INCLUDING 6 UNUSUAL ONES

WHAT IS THE BEST PET FOR ME?  IF YOU’RE READY TO ADOPT A DOG OR CAT, LEARN HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT FURRY COMPANION FOR YOUR FAMILY AND LIFESTYLE.

WHAT IS THE BEST PET FOR ME? Many people start thinking of bringing a pet into a family when they buy their first home.  Or maybe when they settle down with a partner.  Or when they have kids and want the little ones to grow up with a pet.  Sometimes even a separation or divorce will prompt a person to look for an animal to provide companionship.  So, when do you know that bringing a pet into your family and home is the right decision? ARE YOU?...... Willing to keep a less than immaculate house? I’m not saying that you have to settle for a dirty, disorganized home here, but you have to recognize that pets come with fur, and muddy paws, and sloppy eating and drinking. What may have been a pristine living room before pets, will show a little wear and tear around the edges, no matter how much you clean.  If keeping your home spotless at all times is important to you, then you should plan on getting a small bird, guinea pig or rat, or a fish…

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Continue ReadingWHAT IS THE BEST PET FOR ME?  IF YOU’RE READY TO ADOPT A DOG OR CAT, LEARN HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT FURRY COMPANION FOR YOUR FAMILY AND LIFESTYLE.