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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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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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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DOGS SHOULDN’T LIVE ON A CHAIN!  AND NOW THEY DON’T HAVE TO.  AN OREGON-BASED CHARITY – FENCES FOR FIDO – HAS GIVEN OVER 2200 DOGS THE CHANCE TO LIVE A CHAIN-FREE LIFE

Chained dogs.  We all know that dogs shouldn’t live on a chain.  Ideally, they should live in the home with us.  Still, for some people, an outside dog is the norm – it’s a mindset they grew up with.  Try as we might to change opinions in that regard, it is often a hopeless task.  So, one group decided not to try.  Instead, without judgement, they offered an alternative to the chain. Fences for Fido, an Oregon-based charity is making a real difference here.  Fences for Fido has a virtual army of volunteers who spend days building fences around people’s yards, so that their dogs can finally experience a life that doesn’t stop at the end of a 20-foot chain.   A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A CHAINED DOG Imagine you’re a dog tied to a 20-foot chain.  That small circumference defines your life.  Once or, if you’re lucky, twice a day your owner comes out with food.  He may, or may not, spend a few minutes with you.  Other than that, you’re alone.  You can’t get to the grass…

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IS YOUR DOG AFRAID OF LOUD NOISES?  WAYS TO GET THROUGH THE SUMMER THUNDERSTORM AND FIREWORKS SEASON

  Anyone who has had a number of dogs throughout their lives has had a least one dog afraid of loud noises.  And summer is the worst time for these poor animals.  Outdoor fun, barbecues, kids out of school.  Also, fireworks, thunderstorms, and, if you live in the country like I do, occasional gunshots.  All these are torture if your dog is afraid of loud noises.  Below are a few ideas on how to cope: 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.” THUNDERSTORMS If, as one of mine is, he is destructive, then you will have to crate. My girl was not destructive, although still frightened, until she was bitten by a copperhead.  I don’t know whether the deterioration was from fear or a physical cause, but she will now basically tear the house apart trying to escape the storm.  Nothing worked, not even the dark corner in the closet that helped for so many…

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TEN QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE ADOPTING A DOG

Below are ten questions to ask before adopting a dog.  There could be many more, depending on your lifestyle, energy level, and preferences.  But the answers to these questions should illuminate a dog’s personality (“doganality”??) and allow you to make the right decision for your family. COMPATIBILITY QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE ADOPTING A DOG 1. Has she been around children since she’s been here? Or, did she live with children in her past home?  If so, what ages?  Were they noisy?  How did she react? This is important to know, even if you don’t have children or grandchildren yourself.  You want to at least have a clue whether your new pet will be safe if you take them out.  Unless you have kids who visit your home, the answer may not sway you one way or the other.  But it’s always good to know if your dog needs to be watched around children when in public. Bear in mind that many children are not taught the proper way to approach pets.  They’ll run up to them suddenly, won’t ask the owner’s…

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