Visit St Augustine, Florida, With Your Pet - Top Four Pet Friendly Places Worth Visiting

By Lynn Wettach

Do you love to travel with your pet? If so, St. Augustine, Florida has the welcome sign out for you and your pet. See the sights, play at the parks, romp on the beach and even dine at several local restaurants on their beautiful patios; a dream vacation for you and "Fido".

Four pet-friendly places to add to your must-do list (pets must be on a leash):

1. The Fountain of Youth Archeological Park - a beautiful 15 acre historic site that includes the Spring House, Planetarium, Discovery Globe, and Timucuan Indian exhibit. The park-like grounds are a tribute to the Native Americans and explorers who once walked where you will walk. You'll find ancient cannons and anchors amid the native plants. Peafowl wander throughout the park so you'll want to keep a tight hold on your pet's leash. You may not regain your youth but you and your pet will have an enjoyable time at this St. Augustine treasure.

2. Scenic Cruise - has your pet ever been on a boat? This is your chance and I know he, or she, will have a good time. You'll view the sights from the harbor as your captain shares his knowledge of local history and the local flora and fauna. Your pet will enjoy sniffing all the wonderful smells in the wind as you cruise along. A treat for both of you!

3. Mission Nombre de Dios - look up from most anywhere in Saint Augustine and you will see the 200 foot cross rising above the banks Matanzas River. Beneath are the Mission grounds, the location of the first Catholic Mass held in the United States. As you wander along the pathways you'll come upon an old stone chapel, Our Lady of La Leche Chapel and Shrine. You'll also find a large field for romping and playing with your pet.

4. Castillo de San Marcos National Monument - built in the 17th century to protect Spain's claim on the new world. It is the oldest masonry fort in North America. You can take your pet exploring around the grounds of the 20.5 acre site. Pets, however, are not permitted inside the actual fort. You'll still have a wonderful time as you both enjoy a great walk in the Florida sunshine.

St. Augustine, Florida, is the perfect place for pet lovers and their pets. Lots to do, wonderful things to see, restaurants to sample and the air is full of new scents to sniff. Pack your bags, bring the toys and the dog bed and have some fun!

Lynn Wettach is the author, publisher and editor of http://www.st-augustine-travel-guide.com a website which reflects her knowledge and love of her hometown, St. Augustine, Florida. For a complete list of pet friendly lodging, restaurants, parks and things to do in St. Augustine go to http://www.st-augustine-travel-guide.com/st-augustine-pet-friendly.html and be sure to sign up for her monthly newsletter, St. Augustine Traveler's Tidbits. Helping you plan the perfect St. Augustine, Florida vacation.

Top 12 Fun Dog Friendly Things to Do in Mendocino

Perhaps your dog would like to expand horizons, catch up on culture and enjoy some activities not available in many places. So, if your dog loves to travel, then you simply must visit Mendocino county, a few hours north of San Francisco. Horizon Air has added flights from Las Vegas to Santa Rosa, California. You and your dog can take a nice scenic hour and a half drive north and visit dog friendly wineries along the way. Most of the wineries are have grass and bushes to explore and sniff. Some even offer doggie treats. Navarro and others allow dogs in the tasting room.

The Maccallum House Inn in Mendocino offers winery tours, chauffeured limos and dogs are allowed to tag along, if you book as a private party... Ask for Jim Davis and tell him that you found out about the tour from the author (of this article).

Here are the top 12 dog friendly things to do in Mendocino

l. Tiptoe through the Botanical gardens

Between the tulips and other flowers, (over 150 varieties), Fido will enjoy a nice stroll with you to the beach. Well-mannered dogs

on leashes are always welcome and enjoy free admission.

2. Beach romp (Noyo Harbor or a private beach)... most beaches are dog friendly and dogs have to be on leash.

Dogs love to splash and do the doggie paddle in the ocean. And Mendocino County's coastline has an abundance of places for them to swim.

Big River Beach, N. Big River Road, Mendocino

Portuguese Beach, Mendocino Headlands, Mendocino

Van Damme State Beach, Highway 1, Mendocino

Caspar Beach, 14441 Point Cabrillo Dr., Caspar

MacKerricher State Park, Highway 1, Fort Bragg

And for an extended stay, you can also camp out with Fido.

California State Parks Camping Reservations: 1-800-444-PARK (7275)

With nearly 100 miles of coastline and dozens of state and private campgrounds, finding a place to camp on the Mendocino Coast is not difficult. The most popular state parks are MacKerricher (Fort Bragg) and Russian Gulch (Mendocino) and Van Damme (Little River).

3. Take a hike.

Jughandle State Reserve features a 2½-mile self-guided nature trail called the Ecological Staircase. Starting by the ocean, this trail goes inland up a series of five ancient terraces formed by waves, glacier, and tectonic activity. Each terrace was uplifted from the sea about 100,000 years after the previous was raised. The lowest terrace is prairie, followed by a pine forest, then a redwood forest, and finally a pygmy forest with knee-high trees that are decades old. The trail features an amazing variety of trees, since the ecologies of the different terraces vary widely.

Three miles south of Fort Bragg. Turn west off Highway One into the well-marked parking area. 707-937-5804

4. Get a free ice cream cone for your mutt at Cowlick's ice cream

You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice cream. And Fido may also enjoy a sweet vanilla kiddie cone on a sunny day.

5. Stroll the shops in Mendocino and buy some doggie perfume.

After all the rolling, licking and splashing in the water and mud and sand, you may want to get some doggie perfume for Fido. Mendocino has many enjoyable gift shops and places where Furshionistas prefer to shop such as Sallie Mac.

And there are numerous pet supply shops such as Paws for Cats & Dogs, 338 N. Main St., Fort Bragg, 707-964-3322, Fort Bragg Feed & Pet, 880 Stewart St., Fort Bragg, 707-964-3333, and Evergreen Barn Pet Grocery, 477 Evergreen St., Mendocino, 707-937-3300.

6. Stay at a dog friendly inn such as the Agate Cove Inn, Little River Inn, MacCallum House Inn, Cottages at Little River Cove, Stanford Inn, Sea Foam Lodge, Dehaven B&B and the Blair House (where the TV series Murder She Wrote was filmed). The pet friendliest lodging can be found at these inns. Standford Inn, MacCallum House, Cottages at Little River Cove and Little River Inn supply a doggie gift basket including bowls, treats, and doggie bed.

More information can be found at

http://www.mendocinofun.com

7. Dine together

The Stanford Inn is an original pet friendly zenlike inn. You can even dine with well-behaved Fido during the day.

Well behaved dogs are welcome in the lobby but not the dining room. If you would like breakfast or dinner to be served in the lobby, they are happy to accommodate you...

8. Play catch or frisbee at the Fort Bragg dog park.

Fort Bragg has McDoggie park, a dedicated dog park, where non-aggressive and friendly doggies play. McDoggies is at Willow and Lincoln Streets. Take Maple Street east from Highway One (Main Street) until it ends at the dog park on Lincoln St.

9. Go kayaking with your dog

You can paddle up Big River in a canoe from Catch a Canoe & Bicycles, Too, located at Highway 1 & Comptche-Ukiah Rd, Mendocino, 707-937-0273.

10. Tiny dogs can take the Skunk train with their owners, if they can fit inside your purse; chew chew... chew chew...

11. Fido may accompany you while sport fishing and whale watching with All Aboard Adventures, North Harbor Dr., Fort Bragg, 707-964-1881 or Anchor Charter Boats, PO Box 103, Fort Bragg, 707-964-4550.

12. There are many places for you and Fido to have a puppy picnic in the area.

And if you seek a hot meal, there are a variety of choices of restaurants where Fido can sit beside you outside.

Café One, 753 N Main Street, Fort Bragg

Home Style Café, 790 S. Main Street, Fort Bragg

Laurel Deli, 401 N Main Street, Fort Bragg

Mendocino Cookie Company, Main St., Fort Bragg

Nemo's Fish Market, 2410 N Harbor Dr., Fort Bragg

Piaci Pub & Pizzeria, 120 W. Redwood Avenue, Fort Bragg

Lu's Kitchen, 45013 Ukiah Street Mendocino

Mendo Burgers, 10483 Lansing Street, Mendocino

Mendocino Café, 10451 Lansing Street, Mendocino

Mendocino Hotel, 45080 Main Street, Mendocino

Moody's Organic Coffee Bar, 10450 Lansing Street, Mendocino

Moosse Cafe, 390 Kasten, Mendocino

CeliaSue Hecht is a published writer, editor and publicist who assists business owners in promoting their products and services. She has been published in more than 40 publications (Top 100 newspapers and national magazines) and has obtained media coverage for authors and entrepreneurs. She offers a range of services, from publicity strategy to press release writing and email newsletter campaigns.((Her blog, Cuppa Writing for the Soul ( http://celiasue.wordpress.com ) offers free tips and advice for pet owners and pet businesses as well as traveling with dogs tales. For more information, visit http://celiasue.hecht.googlepages.com/home

Development of Baby Ferrets

By Josh Law

When ferrets are first born they are known as kits. They only weigh 8 to 10 grams when they are born and can easily fit into a teaspoon. It takes only 10 days for them to grow 3 times bigger then when they are first born, from only their mother ferret's milk. Baby ferrets spend the first three weeks of their life sleeping and nursing. The kits develop teeth after only two weeks, but it takes a full month for them to open their eyes and to begin hearing.

When the baby ferrets are three weeks old, they are 10 times larger then when they are born. At three weeks they are able to eat solid food, but will still mostly nurse from their mother. It is around this time that the kits will start to produce a sound that resembles a goose honking to attract attention, but lose this ability when they are around two months old.

A baby ferret's skin is pinkish when they are first born and have a very foul odor. This is likely part of the baby ferret's natural way of fending off predators. After a few days after birth they begin to grow fur, and almost after a week of life the fur begins to turn color. When the baby ferret is around 3 weeks old, it will become apparent what color the ferret will be when it grows older.

The difference between male and female kits becomes obvious around 6 weeks. Male kits will be around a full 50% larger then their female counterparts. Female kits reach full size after 4 months and weigh around 600 to 800 grams, while males reach full size around 10 weeks.

Josh Law is a ferret expert. For more great tips on ferret care and ferret cages visit http://www.healthyferret.com.

Chinchilla Cage - Toys, Accessories and Essentials to Put Inside

By Jake Appleton

So you've bought a chinchilla cage but are wondering what you need to put inside, and what your pet might appreciate having inside its new home. Below are the items to consider purchasing. NOTE: Avoid plastics - due to these pets loving to chew things, plastics can be harmful if ingested.

Toys and Accessories

• Hammock - as chinchillas like to climb, they can have a lot of fun with a hammock. Some may like to sleep there.
• Tunnels - Made from natural woven corn, these can safely be chewed, provide hours of entertainment and are a place to rest and hide. Some owners also use the cardboard tube from toilet tissue.
• Mineral fruit stone - comes in a variety of flavours and has added calcium making it a healthy and fun object for your pet to chew away at.
• Shelves and Perches - accommodates your pets need to jump, move around and rest at higher levels within the chinchilla cage.
• Wheel - chinchillas love these and they provide great exercise for your pet. However, you should supervise the introduction of the wheel to a young chinchilla as they can be dangerous for them. So to be on the safe side, you should supervise it until it learns how to use the wheel properly.
• Blocks of wood for your pet to chew away to its heart's content.
• Ladders - this will help your pet get from A to B in style, and also makes the pet's home more interesting for you both.

Essential Items

• A wooden nest box - allows your friend to have a place to sleep, rest and hide in. Also comes in grassy variety.
• A water bottle - These clip on from the outside of the chinchilla cage with a feeder inserted through one of the bars. This design is preferable as it enables you to easily refill the water, and is more hygienic than an internal water bowl.

Discover great chinchilla toys, accessories at http://www.chinchillacagestoys.com

Hedgehog Body Language

By Paul S Murphy

You will be able to tell how your pet hedgehog is feeling from its body language and the sounds it makes. Here are some of its typical responses and what they signify.
 
Rolling up
Rolling into a ball is a defense mechanism and it means it is frightened or doesn't like what's going on around it. Reasons for this could be sharp noises, the smell of a predator or when a person it doesn't know tries to handle it. Hedgehogs also sleep rolled up in a ball but not as tightly as when it is in its defensive posture.
 
Raising its forehead spines
Hedgehogs will raise the spines on their foreheads to protect their eyes whenever they are feeling wary or distrustful.  Your prickly friend will often raise its forehead spines when you are caressing its back and your hand strays to close to its head or you try to tickle under its chin. When young hedgehogs play together the always keep their forehead spines raised.
 
Flat spines
Once your pet hedgehog gets to know  and trust you, it will keep its spines flat while you are caressing it. It might take a while longer for it to stop raising its forehead spines.
 
The flehmen response
When a hedgehog smells something interesting or dangerous it will hold its snout high with its mouth slightly open and its top lip curled back. This behaviour is known as the flehmen response and is also seen in cats and dogs.
 
Self-anointing
You will sometimes see your hedgehog foaming at the mouth and if you don't know what's happening it can be quite disconcerting at first.  This behaviour typically occurs when it smells something new in its cage or its surroundings.  It will sometimes lick or chew the scented object and salivate profusely producing foam. It will then spread the foam over the spines of its back and neck and the hair along its flanks. Nobody is really quite sure why it does this and theories range from it being a way adding a form of toxin to its spines to deter predators, a kind of perfume to attract a mate or a defensive strategy to make the hedgehog blend in with its surroundings.
 
Hedgehog Sounds
The most noticeable and frequent sound your hedgehog will make is the huffing and snuffling noise you will hear as it searches for food or moves things around in its cage.  It will also hiss and make a jumping motion if it disturbed or annoyed. You'll hear soft grunts or sniffs of contentment as it goes about the important business of feeding. If you hear loud screaming or squeals it means your hedgehog is in severe pain or danger. If you have more than one hedgehog in a cage it may mean they are fighting and they should be separated immediately. Baby hedgehogs make a chirping sound that later turns into a cry which can become loud and piercing if they find themselves separated from their mother.  A happy hedgehog will make soft snuffling noises as it crawls all over you but will hiss and huff if it is startled by something while being handled. Hedgehogs will often snore while sleeping and make other noises that may indicate they are dreaming.
 
Observing your hedgehog
Apart from the typical responses and behaviour mentioned above, you'll also find that your hedgehog will develop its own individual characteristics and quirks. One author reports that one of his hedgehogs learned to stand on its back legs and lean its fore paws against his leg when it wanted attention. If you observe your pet you'll soon learn about how it is trying to communicate with you and further increase your enjoyment of owning your spiky little friend.

Paul Murphy is a hedgehog lover and the director of the popular blog http://www.hedgehogsaspets.com Visit his site to find lots of tips about keeping hedgehogs as pets and information about hedgehogs in general.

 

Welcoming Pets in the Best Pigeon Forge Hotels

By David Urmann

The countryside is a good place to unwind after a busy week. It can offer a variety of activities to enjoy alone, with company, or even with groups. No matter what season you go, there is a long list you can do in Pigeon Forge. There are also a number of places to see in the region.

Pigeon Forge in Tennessee gives good deals for both tourists and their pets. The staff is accommodating and friendly. They can be the best guide to your planned vacation. The hotels in the city have wonderful amenities that are very affordable. Three of these hotels are rated excellent by tourists.

Holiday Inn
This hotel offers services like free local calls, laundry, dry cleaning and valet with free parking. In fact, they provide complimentary parking even for tour buses, trailers or RVs. It consists of 206 rooms in all its 5 floors.

You can check out the latest in the city through their front desk or reception area. If you are bored, the hotel offers video arcade and an exercise room. You can even go swimming with the kids. It is also situated near the city and the best city establishments.

If you are done shopping, you can dine in one of the fine restaurants of the hotel or you can have the food delivered to you via room service. All rooms have air conditioning, a coffee maker, hair dryer and refrigerator. There is easy access to the internet and cable television. You can also add an iron and ironing board. Since this is a pet-friendly hotel, you can bring your pet for only $15/day. However, your pet should weigh no more than 25lbs.

La Quintana Inn
This three-star hotel is located near the central city. La Quintana Inn adheres to a non-smoking policy. It is also pet-friendly, requiring a $50 refundable fee. However, you can only bring 2 pets that have a maximum combined weight of 50lbs.

They have a pool, comfy lobby and courteous as well as kid-friendly staff. You can have a relaxing stay here for reasonable rate.

Rodeway Inn
Although this is a two-star hotel, it is noted to provide the best pancake to its guests. They have non-smoking rooms with a refrigerator and coffee maker. Even if they do not have internet access, they can guarantee cable TV and an oversized pool.

Rodeway Inn is a pet-friendly hotel near Pigeon Forge. You can bring your pet for only $10 per day but it should not weigh more than 20lbs. Aside from the usual hotel amenities, this hotel is very near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Dollywood. You can even have your way around in trolleys.

Aside from the great outdoors, nature parks and museums among others, Pigeon Forge is also noted to have the largest memorabilia of Elvis Presley be found at the Elvis Museum. There are various reasons why Pigeon Forge is your best bet for a grand vacation with your family

The best part for a countryside trip is interacting with nature. The city provides a number of outdoor activities like rock climbing, and hiking, fishing, para-sailing and biking. You can also work out on your basketball and tennis smashes. Other attractions include Dollywood or the Black Bear Jamboree.

After a whole day of activities in the woods, you can have a good spa and a dip in the pool. You can also see a nice movie in their local theater. One of the best restaurants you can go would be the Dixie Stampede. Aside from this, they have a Magic Theater and a local mall.

Everything about Pigeon Forge is amazing. You can also watch the city's best truck shows, along with some rallies to shout at, road shows to enjoy and a display of some fascinating cars and trucks from GMC, Chevrolet, Pontiac, and Mustang.

For more information on Pigeon Forge Hotels and Pigeon Forge Pet Friendly Hotel please visit our website.

Pet Friendly Argentina

By K Murphy

There's so much to see and do here, it's certainly not to be missed. But what do you do if you can't bear to leave home without your pet? Does a pet friendly Argentina exist? The answer is a resounding "Yes!"

In fact, two cities in Argentina are on the list of the top 10 pet friendly places in South America. Buenos Aires and Mendoza are both extremely accommodating and welcoming to pets of all kinds. In fact, Buenos Aires has 17 hotels that are known to be pet friendly, and Mendoza sports 3 of its own. These hotels run the gamut from friendly, locally-owned guest houses and lofts to well-appointed and well-known luxury chains. As long as you are a courteous pet owner and clean up after your animal companion (and keep him under control), you, Fluffy, and Fido will be welcome at these places. New pet friendly Argentina hotels are opening up all the time, so be sure to call ahead and ask about a hotel's animal policy before making reservations.

You'll also find a number of dog parks, dog-friendly beaches, and pet-friendly restaurants in both cities, as well as throughout the rest of Argentina. Argentinians take their pets just as seriously as we do, and have made great effort to create accommodating and welcoming establishments for pets and pet parents from around the world. If you're traveling to pet friendly Argentina from outside of South America, be sure to bring along the appropriate vaccination records and paperwork to ensure your pet gains entry into the country, and you're both sure to have a marvelous time in South America's most passionate nation!

Inspired by a BAD traveling experience with my pet, I vowed I would never put my pet - or myself - through that again. After a few searches for quality "traveling with pets" information, I discovered there wasn't much. BringtheKids has just one goal: Provide quality and relevant information to owners traveling with pets. What does that mean for you? Less wasted time and less stress. From departure to destination, you will be well informed every step of the way. http://travelingpets.wordpress.com What you Need to Know before you Go!

Dog Care Resorts

By Heidi Ball

We all look forward to vacation. Everyone really needs to just get away every now and then. Most dog owners think of their pet as an extended part of the family. Well, don't all members of the family deserve the same vacation benefits?

When you pack up to leave on vacation, living behind "Rover" is sometimes hard to do. It's like leaving a family member behind while you go off to enjoy yourself on a fabulous trip.

Sometimes it just isn't an option to have someone come and stay with your pet. And especially if you are going to be gone for awhile, paying for your dog to be locked up in a kennel for days on end is just simply not an option. Did you know that dogs can have a vacation too? Overnight dog care resorts aren't simply a drop your dog off for a few nights. They are honest to goodness resorts for your pooch!

Most feature running paths outdoors and indoor playrooms for your dog to play. Some even have televisions playing and most all have toys and treats that Fido is sure to enjoy. The nice thing about a place like this is the attention factor. Each "guest" is treated with the utmost concern and more upscale doggie resorts are kennel free. Nice, quiet quarters with soft cozy beds await your pup. Plenty of food water and exercise as well.

So the next time you think of leaving on vacation, be sure to check out a destination spot at a doggie resort for mans best friend. After all, some accommodations are so nice you may just want to stay yourself. Your dog is sure to have a great vacation of his own while you're away on holiday!

The next time you are leaving on vacation, check out Doggie Care Resort (http://doggiecareresort.com/) for dog care Seattle WA. Heidi Ball is a freelance writer.

So You Want to Get Yourself a Pet Hedgehog, But is it the Right Pet For You?

How do you know if a pet hedgehog is right for you? Hedgehogs are one of the most popular exotic pets today, and it's easy to see why. They're undeniably cute, they're small (so they don't take up much space), and they're easy to take care of.

The appeal of the hedgehog is undeniable. You want one, of course you do! How could you not? However, hedgehogs aren't just any small animal. They require a specialized environment and care that's by no means just like taking care of a Guinea pig or gerbil. They also have unique personalities of their own, and require human companions with similar characteristics in order to be happy.

So, is a pet hedgehog right for you? Here are the top 3 ways to find out!

1. Do you need lots of cuddling and affection?
Your hedgehog doesn't! If you're expecting a pet like a dog or cat that will follow you all around and beg for your attention, then you're in for a surprise! Hedgehogs, while friendly and usually docile, have a reputation for being a bit stand-offish. They'll tolerate your petting and cuddling to a certain extent, but they won't ask for it, and they'll definitely let you know when they've had enough!

That being said, some hedgehogs are more agreeable to human interaction than others, and these are the hedgehogs you want to hang with. When shopping for your new spikey companion, select a hedgehog that is laid back and accepts being picked up and handled without getting too stressed out. Hedgehogs that curl up into a defensive ball at the first touch are better off left at the pet store!

2. Do you have an adequate living space for the number of hedgehog you plan to keep?

These tiny creatures are pretty territorial, which means keeping more than one in a cage could spell disaster! You'll need one cage for each hedgehog, and that cage needs to have at least two to three square feet of floor space.

3. Can you clean your pet's litter and cage every day?

Hedgehogs like a clean environment (don't you?), and rely on routine. They get VERY grumpy if their home is filthy. Be prepared to make a commitment to keeping your pet's environment as clean and regulated as you would your own, and the two of you will get along just fine.

Pet hedgehogs can make a wonderful, fascinating, and playful addition to any household. If, after reading these tips, you decide a hedgehog is for you, you're in for many great years of camaraderie and entertainment from your pet. If you've decided to take the hedgehog journey, congratulations! You're in for a marvelous time!

Paul Murphy is a small pet enthusiast. Visit http://www.hedgehogsaspets.com for a lot more information and tips about caring for these fascinating little creatures.

Tree Frog Care Secrets

By Andrew Williums

Tree frogs are Fascinating creatures of this earth and can be excellent pets if cared for properly. Currently there is no resource on how to properly care for your tree frog at home. There are a few processes in the process of caring for your tree frog that can go wrong and cause your frog to get ill. Tree frogs that do get ill are actually quite hard to bring right again which means prevention in this case is the best cure.

This places even more emphasis on vivarium set up and your automated frog care solutions to be set up the right way the first time. Frogs do not like to be handled to much so constantly going back and changing the vivarium all the time can become stressful for your tree frog.

As some frogs, known as exotic pets, can be expensive it is well worth investing in a resource that will teach you the exact steps Required in order to breed and care for your own colony of tree frogs. Whether you are dealing with the common garden frog or the much documented red eyed tree frog, this tree frog care manual is all you will need to become the envy of all tree frog enthusiasts. However in the end you must be the one to decide for yourself Whether you really need this manual or not.

Another aspect of tree frogs that is not covered all that much on the web is tree frog breeding. Some tree frog species can fetch a hefty price so if you can come up with an effective automated breeding plan, you can make a decent amount of money. I have been doing this for awhile so I know where you can go wrong. Its not a complicated process by any means. In the most part nature takes its course. However providing the optimal breeding conditions hence making it profitable can prove difficult even for the pro.

You see I have 10 years experience in the tree frog field an have had my ups and downs but I have come up with what I think is a pretty good system of caring for these guys. I just hate to see so many stories of frogs dying around the world and want to do my bit towards informing the public on Legitimate tree frog care. In the hope that less frogs die as a result.

Many people think that encouraging the art of caring for frogs at home as pets will only add the problem of spreading the virus. I
Believe that global efforts towards informing the public on the problem on how to deal with declining frog numbers is a step in the right direction.

I would love to hear your viewpoint on this and I understand that not everyone sees eye to eye.

If you are not aware off this here is a paragraph explaining the problem

"Chytridiomycosis is an infectious disease that is affecting frog species all over the world. Thought to be worsened by global warming this disease is a fungus that has dramatically reduced frog populations. DO NOT transfer frog populations in your area without contacting local authorities. Hopefully scientists can come up with a cure because at this point there seems to be none."

So join me in understanding what the effects of global warming and the human race is having on the animals that share our world so that we can better care and protect them in the future

I am just here to be of any assistance that I can. I have a 14 day ecourse ready for you at treefrogcenter.com to kick start your tree frog keeping. This course is Absolutely free and will guide you along the road of taking action. As well as through the steps Required from being a complete newbie to frog care to having a full vivarium of tree frogs will full ability to feed them at very low cost, as well as have automated systems in place such that your tree frog caring becomes easy and rewarding. All I ask is that you give this a go. I am not selling you anything here, merely asking you to hop over to http://www.treefrogcenter.com for a complete Free 14 day e course on tree frog care You have absolutely no obligation to buy anything, this is just some free information I want to give you in the hope that tree frog breeding and care will further enrich your life like it has done mine. You can contact me anytime via email at andrew@treefrogcenter.com Happy frog keeping :-)

Proper Ferret Food and Nutrition Tips

Like most other pets, what you feed your pet ferret will determine how healthy it is. Unfortunately, ferrets are not the most popular pet, and finding a good quality ferret food is not easily done everywhere. This can be overcome though by feeding your ferret more natural foods.

Ferrets thrive on a diet that is high on fat and protein. This means that your ferret can eat mice, rabbits or even raw meat such as chicken, pork, and beef. They also will eat fruits and vegetables, however, avoid fruits which are high in sugar content. Acceptable fruits and vegetables would include grapes, bananas, lettuce, and carrots. You can experiment with different ones as no two ferrets have the same tastes just like other animals or even humans.

You do have to be very careful of what you should never feed your ferret, as they can actually be very detrimental to your ferrets health or even be fatal. Foods that are bad for your ferret include cereals and peanut butter, milk, nuts, breads, ice cream, soda, and never feed your ferret coffee or chocolate.

But overall, make sure your ferret gets a variety of different types of food to cover all of their nutritional needs. It is very possible to find quality pet foods in larger pet stores or online, and if not, kitten food is acceptable if you find one high in fat and protein. One that contains 32% protein, a minimum of 18% fat and a maximum of 3% fiber will be great and is suitable to a ferret's metabolism.

Josh Law is a ferret expert. For more great tips on ferret care and ferret cages visit http://www.healthyferret.com.

How to Be Alert For Health Problems in Jack Russell Terriers

Jack Russell Terriers gained in popularity as a pet once appearing on the hit show Frasier. We all saw Eddy's quirky personality and feisty intelligence and the breed grew on us. Although this breed will bring you much joy during your life together, be aware that the breed is not without its health concerns. Read below to make yourself more familiar with health issues commonly found in Jack Russell Terriers.

Step 1: If you feel your Jack Russell Terrier is exhibiting signs of difficulty with his sight, trust your instincts and have him tested by your veterinarian. This breed has been known to be affected by cataracts; the sooner the diagnosis, the better the chances for surgical treatment and a full recovery.

Step 2: Pay special attention to the appearance of your terrier's eyes as well. If they appear red or opaque, it could be an indication of the inherited disease lens luxation, which is fairly common. When this condition exists, it causes one or both of your terrier's lenses to become dislocated from their position behind the cornea. As you can imagine, this condition is painful for the dog and if left untreated can lead to blindness. If you intend to breed your terrier, it's a good idea to have the Canine Eye Registry Foundation test to check for hereditary defects such as lens luxation.

Step 3: In male terriers you might find a condition which is relatively easy to detect and affects his testicles. If he is afflicted with Cryptorchidism, one or both of his testicles will have not descended into his scrotum. The way the dog owner can tell this problem exists is to examine the scrotum of his male terrier. If it appears as though the dog has one testicle in the scrotum, it's likely he suffers from this problem. ("Suffer" is probably too strong of a word as the condition is not life threatening, however might increase the dog's proneness to cancer.)

Step 4: After exercising your Jack Russell pay attention to his breathing. If at any time he has difficulty catching his breath or if he wheezes, he could be experiencing Cardiomyopathy. This abnormality of the heart muscle has serious effects, including death. If you notice any irregularities in your dog's breathing, set up an appointment with your vet immediately.

Step 5: If you notice your dog appears to stagger when he walks, he seems uncoordinated or has difficulty standing, he could be experiencing small tremors. The tremors could be a result of Ataxia, a progressive neurological condition that can occur in Jack Russell Terriers. If you see these symptoms, get him into the vet for a diagnosis.

Step 6: Be aware that a condition that affects many small breeds, Legg Calve Perthes, can also affect your Terrier. This degeneration of the thigh bone won't show up before 6 months of age, but generally manifests while the dog is still a puppy or a young adult. If it seems one of his legs is sore or he is experiencing lameness of the hind legs, he could be suffering from this disease.

Step 7: Because Congenital Deafness can also make an appearance in this breed, you'll want to insist your vet perform the BAER test for hearing if you suspect your dog has hearing loss.

This article was written by Shelly Seigler. Enjoy unbeatable quality and prices at Discount-Pet-Mall on dog beds and indoor pet gates.

Lhasa Apsos - Tools and Procedures For Trimming Hair Around the Eyes

By Joyce Johanson

Question: We just got a 3 and a half month old energetic Lhasa Apso and are wondering about the safest way to clip the hair that is below and above his eyes. Right now it seems impossible to do without injury to the eyes.
Clipping the hair around your puppy's eyes is really not necessary at this age, but I realize the awkward length of the headfall makes putting it in topknots or otherwise holding it back in barrettes or bands not the easiest thing to do. And I also realize that owners like to see their puppies' pretty, expressive eyes!

The FIRST thing you need to do is get the puppy used to having his face "messed with" and to sitting still to allow you to do it. Without that, you risk serious injury to the eyes if you even try to get close with a scissors. Purchase a face comb, sometimes called a finishing comb. These metal combs are about 4.5 inches long and have teeth quite close together at one end and a little further apart at the other. Most wholesale pet supply companies carry them for about $10.

Using the face comb, get your puppy used to having his moustache and the hair above his eyes combed daily. Once he gets used to the small comb on his face, near his eyes, and once you trust that he will be still during the process, then if you really think it is necessary, you might consider trimming hair by his eyes. Most people do not cut hair above or below the eye. Trimming is generally done between the eyes, either all or part way across the nose. Use a small scissors (4 - 4.5") with ball tips. You also might consider a battery-operated Wahl Stylique Trimmer. It is only 6" long with a 1/4" narrow, fine-cutting blade. It costs less than $10 and is also handy for trimming between the pads of the feet. Again, because it buzzes and the buzzing might alarm the puppy, you need to get him used to the sound - especially near his face.

Another option (if you have a pet and not a show puppy) is to trim his eyefall shorter, in effect creating "bangs" so you are able to see his eyes. You still need to trust him to sit quietly, but you can protect his eyes from the scissors somewhat by putting your left forefinger on the right side of his head, your left thumb on the left side of his head, combing his eyefall over your hand and then using the scissors to trim the hair. Get someone to help you hold the puppy still. You do not want to poke him in the eye with the scissors!

Recommended grooming tools:

4.5 inch face/finishing comb

Wahl battery-operated trimmer

Small (4") scissors with a ball tip 

Please note: Permission to reproduce and/or circulate information in this article is granted. However, the article must be disseminated in its entirety and credit must be given to Joyce Johanson, Joyslyn's Lhasa Apsos. Thanks!

 

How Do I Certify My Service Dog?

By Norm Lanier

Wow, is there a lot of information on the web about how to go about doing this.  Some of it is even quite amusing-that is, if you know what you're doing first.

It's always best to start out with taking a look at the federal civil rights laws (under the Americans with Disabilities Act) and the civil rights laws in your own state.  These are the ultimate authorities and really all you need to make a determination.  By the way, if there seems to be any disagreement or conflict between the federal laws and your state's laws, it's important for you to know that the federal laws trump your state's laws.

In just about all cases, NO certification is needed for a service dog in order for it to have that designation.  All you need is to have a disability as defined under disability law (check that if you're unclear about it), and for your service animal to assist you with tasks that are specific to your disability.  The only questions you are ever required to answer are, "Is this a service dog?" and "What tasks does it do for you?"

However, having some kind of visible identification will make your life and that of your dog's infinitely easier, and there is more than one reason for obtaining some ID.  For example, I have an acquaintance who took her service dog with her on a plane flight at the end of last year.  She had gotten a service dog license from her local licensing bureau by asking for one and submitting a doctor's note along with her application for the license.  As she passed through security at the airport, she showed the special license (as well as the dog's health record), and was told by one of the security agents that if she didn't have the license she would have been turned away.  Security these days can be quite complicated as well as a pain, and having the identification made things go smoothly.  [She had also been given a special service dog license tag for the dog's collar, and was informed by the licensing bureau that the special tag insured that if the dog was lost and identified as a service dog through the tag, extra care would be taken to locate the dog than would be if it was simply a pet.]

To sum up, having some kind of visible identification for your service dog, while not required by law, can make your life so much easier than you might imagine.  So it's most highly recommended for both of you!

Spot is the owner of http://www.ServiceDogTags.com and is a prolific writer on matters concerning service dogs and the disabled. Spot lets his owner help him put the web site together and write articles as it's hard as heck to type with paws. Besides it's good to throw his owner a bone every once in a while so he feels useful.

Two Types of Dog Fences

Having a dog run off and never returning is something that can happen to any pet owner. This can really be hard on for us, especially if you made the pooch, the one that ran away, the center of your life; or you've spent thousands of dollars to get that dog breed. As a responsible owner, the first step would be to print out "missing" posters and post them everywhere in the neighborhood. This is a very effective method and works; I remember when my grandma lost her pooch, and we started posting "reward if found" posters everywhere with the help of a friend.

In as early as a week, somebody gave her a call and returned the pooch. There was another instance where my grandma lost another dog, and we did the same routine all over again. In as early as a week, the puppy was found, a few miles away dead in a canal. This was a tragic event in the life of my grandma, but could have all been avoided if the fence put up around her house had been better built. A dog fence doesn't seem very important, but as a matter of fact and based on the experience of many, it's crucial and can even save your pet's life.

One benefit of having one is that it provides some freedom for the pet, which basically is an area for it to run around and play in without worrying much about its safety. It'll be safe from the dangers of fast moving vehicles and wild dogs carrying all kinds of diseases. There are two kinds of dog fence, namely: visible and invisible. The visible type are the most common type, which is usually made of planks of wood or a steel structure that prevents your pet from escaping. Under this type of fence is also the electric fence - the one that we used before seemed similar to a thin rope with a thin metal wire wrapped around, which conducted current.

The "rope" was wrapped around in between 4 post forming a box, which was the area in which our dog Clancy stayed in. I found this to be inhumane; seeing my pet running and yelping after coming in contact with it. It also changed our dogs behavior slightly, making it kinda apprehensive. It was a mistake my family made, and something we should never commit as responsible pet owners. Going back to the topic, the 2nd type of dog fence is the invisible type, which usually consists of transmitters and a shock collar. The transmitters are buried underneath the ground, according to the perimeter you want set for it.

When your pet crosses over, a signal is sent to the collar and triggers the shock mechanism. The expected reaction of your pet is supposed to be running back in, but sometimes it runs going back out. This is not only a cruel thing to do, but also doesn't guarantee to keep your pet within the set boundary 100% of the time. I'd rather put up a big, strong, and well-secured fence than to have my pet shocked for doing some exploration activity. I'd also use the proper dog training methods to have it obey my commands - like coming back to me when I call it (this is in case it gets out of the fence if you've accidentally left it open).

I can't tell you what's right and what's wrong, so deciding what kind of dog fence you'd like to have put up is entirely on you.

The author of this article, Alex De La Cruz, is a Dog Expert who has been successful for many years. Because most people think that Arthritis is a humans-only disease Alex now informs dog owners with his http://dog_arthritis.doggybooks.info Ebook on how to discover this disease and let their dogs live as pain-free as possible.

Pain Relievers For Dogs - The Best Pain Relievers For Your Dog

By Oliver Gillies

If you have already diagnosed your dog is in pain this is half of the battle won as it is often a very hard thing to do simply due to the fact that a lot of dogs do not vocalise their pain. So the next step is finding the appropriate pain reliever for your dog. This article will outline some of the most commonly used pain relievers for dogs and outline their effectiveness and in which situations they should be used.

Dog Aspirin - Dog aspirin is often used to treat dogs with pain associated with conditions such as arthritis and this is because as well as working as an effective pain reliever for dogs, it also treats inflammation. So if your dogs joints are swollen from a condition such as arthritis, aspirin will help to reduce swelling as well as treat the pain. When giving your dog aspirin it is always wise to read the instructions that will come with the aspirin, because to high of a dose can result in stomach ulcers and thin blood.

Prescription Drugs/ Rimadyl - Rimadyl is the most popular FDA approved prescription drug used by vets as pain relievers for canines. They have proven to be very effective in treating dogs pain with most owners reporting a noticeable difference within a few days. The only downside is there are some reported side effects and some dogs are more susceptible including retrievers and Labradors. These include liver failure and kidney failure, so it is best to consult a professional before using any prescription drugs.

Dog Supplements - There are a variety of dog supplements that are on the market that have ingredients that have been clinically proven to help reverse the onset of dog arthritis and increase joint mobility while greatly reducing the pain and discomfort that some dogs will suffer in their joints. The downside to some supplements are they are not FDA approved so it is a case of having to try and find a supplement that meets FDA manufacturing requirements and has a proven track record for use a pain relievers in dogs.

So in conclusion these are the most pain relief methods that are currently being used for dogs by vets as well as dog owners. With the advent of the internet there are numerous websites that are dedicated purely to pain medication for dogs and many of these large internet pharmacies offer prescriptions and supplements at a fraction of the price of traditional pharmacies.

To find out where you can get the lowest guaranteed price prescriptions for dog pain relievers as well as free supplements for dog arthritis and pain relief visit Oliver Gillies website at http://dog-pain-relief.org

Rat Cages - A Basic Guide

By Nick Summerscales

There is a vast number of homes available for pets of all shapes and sizes. The keeping and breeding of pet rats is gradually increasing year on year throughout the UK. These small loving animals are probably not everyone's choice of pet, but these furry creatures can provide great satisfaction and enjoyment for their owners. They are easy to train, no fuss to keep (they can take care of themselves and are generally kept in groups of more than two) and are generally cheap to look after.

One of the main expenses for a rat lover is the cost of housing. Whether this is for one pet rat or a rabble, there are a number of questions the owner has to answer, or at least consider. Contemplating these initially will save the owner both time and money. Are they going to keep one, two, multiples or even breed rats? Will the rats need to be moved on a regular basis? Will they be kept indoors or in some form of external shelter. As the cost of a rat cage can vary from as little as £30 up to a staggering £300 or £400 this decision if incorrect can be a costly one.

Once the decisions have been made the owner will need to calculate the size of cage they need for the number of rats they wish to keep. These helpful calculators can be found throughout the internet on various rat enthusiast websites. A simple search for "rat calculator" on any search engine will throw up a number of suitable results.

The remaining decisions can then be checked against the types of cages on the market..Some of the smaller ones such as the Jenny Cage, The Tom cage and the Freddy Cage are perfect for people wishing to house a small number of rats. These cages generally come with a small entrance door and are rather light. They also come with a range of standard accessories that are perfect for a starter cage. The bars are closer together on these cages as they have been designed specifically for pet rats.

As the number of people breeding rats has increased, the number of rats being housed together has too. This has brought other animal cages, such as chinchilla and ferret cages to the rat market. These larger cages are perfect for housing rats in double figures. They are generally much sturdier as they are built for their larger and stronger cousins. They also provide far easier access for the owner. They are able to enter the cage for both cleaning and taking out their pets as the doors are far larger than the smaller cages.

Some of the popular cages available are the Multi-Floor Ferret Tower, the Ferplast Ferret Tower the Explorer and the Fop Yole Chrome Cage. All of these cages come with wheels making them very easy to move. They are more suited to younger rats due to the height of the cages. Older rats could have mild hip problems and could succumb to the larger drops or find it more difficult to get to the higher levels.

Before buying make sure that you understand how many rats you want to keep and make sure that they have a suitable sized area to enjoy. Make their lives pleasurable as it is unfair keeping them in cramped conditions. If their lives can be made as enjoyable as possible its sure to make the rat lovers too.

To see more detailed rviews of individual cages please visit
www.ratcage.co.uk

Article submitted by Nick - Rat cage - http://www.ratcage.co.uk

Syrian Hamster Health and Tyzzer's Disease

Tyzzer's disease affects many rodents including Syrian hamsters. Tyzzer's disease does not usually cross from one species to the next. Most strains of the disease are unique to one particular species of rodent. Gerbils, however, have been know to contract the disease from another rodent species, although this is not common.

The disease is highly contagious among hamsters. They can easily transfer disease from one hamster to the next. Unfortunately, the disease is usually fatal. In as short as 48 hours are symptoms appear, a hamster can die. Some of the usual symptoms are diarrhea, dehydration, and a general lack of activity. In some cases, the sudden death of the hamster is the only way you know that something is wrong because symptoms are not always apparent.

Separate your hamster from other hamsters right away if you think she might have Tyzzer's disease. Take her to the vet immediately in a covered cage. This will keep the disease from spreading. Antibiotics are usually prescribed if your vet feels that your hamster has Tyzzer's disease. Unfortunately, the only way to be absolutely sure that it is Tyzzer's disease is an examination of the hamster after it is dead.

There are no official records of humans having symptoms of Tyzzer's disease. However, some tests have shown that an infection is present although no symptoms have presented itself. To be safe, always wash your hands properly before and after handling your hamster, even if she is not ill.

You can do these 3 things to help prevent Tyzzer's disease:

Clean your hamster's cage on a regular basis. Replace all bedding material with fresh bedding at least once per week. Change the bedding before you notice any odor. If you are smelling an odor, that means that the bedding is already dirty. Monthly, wash the entire cage and then disinfect it. A good disinfectant to use is one tablespoon bleach added to one gallon of water.

You also want to prevent stress in your hamster as much as possible. If your hamster is sleeping, do not wake her up. Keep your hamster away from too much noise and other activities. Do not allow your children to abuse the hamster. If your hamster gives you any clues that she does not want to be handled, leave her alone.

Most importantly, keep any new hamsters you get separated from the others for at least 2 weeks before you place them with the others. Even if the new hamster appears to be healthy you should still quarantine it. You can never tell if they have some disease or condition that will present itself because of the stress of a new home. You might think it is just an additional expense to buy an extra house, but it will be worth it in the long run.

Now for the good news. Tyzzer's disease is rare in hamsters that are well taken care of and not stressed. So, you should not be worried about your hamster having the disease. Just keep an eye out to be safe.

Andrew Martin is a pet enthusiast and publisher. Find out more about Syrian hamster health be sure to visit http://www.hamstercareanswers.com.