Hints On Picking A Puppy To Suit Your Lifestyle By Jason Turnbull

The greatest thing about choosing a puppy is that you get to pick your new family member. Unfortunately you didn’t get the same luxury when you inherited that Uncle or Aunt who always manages to say the most inappropriate things at the best of times. A few hints on picking a puppy can make a big difference.

Picking a puppy is one of the most satisfying and enjoyable experiences you could have. Going from puppy to puppy seeing their big lovable eyes and their floppy paws is heart warming. However, if you haven’t researched the right breed for you, it is very easy to find yourself making an impulse buy at a pet store.

Unfortunately impulse buying from a pet store results in dogs being left at shelters or becoming homeless. You see the grandma down the street attempting to walk the Great Dane her family thought was cute as a puppy. They didn’t quite realize it would grow to be so large. Now when grandma tries to walk her dog it looks more like someone trying to barefoot water ski behind a boat. That adorable puppy just doesn’t quite fit with what grandma was after in a dog.

So the question arises, how do you know which puppy will grow to become a suitable dog for your lifestyle? The first thing you should do is work out what you want from your dog.

Below are some hints on picking a puppy you should think about before selecting a good dog breeder to get your pooch from. Grab yourself a pen and paper, put your feet up and outline the ideal friend for you:

- What type of dog is suited to your home environment? Write down if you’re living in a big family home or a small apartment. You will want to be realistic about which dog will fit your home.

- Are you after an indoors or outdoors dog? Make a note of where the ideal dog can sleep and spend it’s time during the days. Some breeds really hate the cold and some just have separation anxiety that makes them want to be close to you at all times. Start planning sleep areas and play areas. Will you need more fencing around your yard?

- How much time do you have for grooming your pooch? Write down if you have time for daily weekly or monthly grooming requirements. Many short hair breeds require little maintenance whilst others need you pampering them daily with brushing.

- How much time do you have to exercise your pup? Outlining how much time you can spend walking and playing with your dog is important. Do you have time for extensive daily exercise or only leisurely strolls? Have a list of the exercises would you like to enjoy with your new pooch?

- Consider whether you are after a puppy that will snuggle on the couch or one that will be a great fitness partner during exercise. If you want a playful active dog or a mellow easy going dog, make a note of it. There are many different breeds that will suit whatever your needs are.

- An important thing to consider is the cost to provide for your puppy. Write down a budget if need be. Generally the bigger the breed, the more expensive they will be. This is for food, leads, dog bowls and vet bills may also be more expensive due to needing larger doses of medication. You will also want to research common medical conditions found in certain breeds as they can also be expensive.

Once you have this list, you will find many information sites telling you which breeds will fit what you are looking for. Cross out breeds that don’t fit and make a list of the ones that do. Then it is time to finalize your decision, possibly meet a few pooches of the breed you like and start to recognize their personality traits.

There is nothing quite like choosing a best friend that fits everything you desire. A puppy will have unconditional love and affection for you and strive to please you at every opportunity.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=173506&ca=Pets

Give The Dog A Book By Holly Sherburne

Six-year-old Daria of Bath, Maine, heard about Paws for Reading at the Patten Free Library and wanted to participate—she had seen kids reading to dogs on TV and wondered what that might be like. Her mother enrolled her in the reading program and tonight, Daria is excited about reading her first book to a dog named Linus.

Paws for Reading, a new summer program at the Bath library, offers children in grades 2 through 4 the opportunity to practice their reading skills by reading aloud to a dog. Read to a dog? But, why? Because dogs provide an attentive audience in an unthreatening environment in which a child can practice reading without the worry of being criticized or corrected. The Paws for Reading program connects kids with local therapy dogs and their handlers and gives them a chance to interact in a fun and motivational setting.

Daria Meets Linus

Linus, a 7-year-old Shetland Sheepdog, is one of six therapy dogs participating in the library’s summer program. Highly trained, he has an impressive resume. Linus holds the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen certificate and he is registered with Therapy Dogs International, Inc., a volunteer organization that provides qualified handlers and their trained dogs to libraries, nursing homes or hospitals and other places where therapy dogs are needed. Linus also recently qualified as a Reading Education Assistance Dog. This evening he will listen as children read stories to him.

When Daria arrives, she meets Linus in the children’s library. Daria tentatively pets Linus and feels his soft, thick fur—he takes all the attention in stride. The librarian chose “Little Squeegy Bug” by Bill Martin for Daria to read before leading the two to a quiet room. Here, Daria sits on the big, comfortable blanket on the floor while Linus stretches out beside her as she opens the book to begin reading.

Susan Beegel, Linus’ handler, shares the blanket with Linus and Daria and remains with them during the 30-minute reading session. Therapy dog handlers are trained to use the dogs as conduits in the reading session. If a child struggles with pronouncing a word, Beegel might say, “Linus likes to sound the word out.” To help with vocabulary and story comprehension, she might suggest, “Linus hasn’t heard that word before. Can you tell him what it means?” The handler acts as the dog’s interpreter, allowing the child to become a teacher, and to learn and practice reading skills in an environment created to make the child feel confident.

Paws for Reading

The Patten Free Library based its Paws for Reading program on Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.), a program developed by Intermountain Therapy Animals, a Utah-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to enhance the quality of life through the human-animal bond. R.E.A.D. was established in 1999 and pioneered the method of reading to a therapy dog as a means to improve children’s reading and communication skills.

Oftentimes, when children are asked to read aloud to their peers, they become stressed and anxious for fear of being criticized or looking “dumb.” These worries make it difficult for the child to focus on reading and comprehension, especially for those who are just learning to read. However, when a child reads aloud to a dog, she forgets about feeling self-conscious and worries less about making mistakes. The positive interaction leads to an improvement in reading skills and an increase in confidence.

Beegel, a Patten Free Library board member, first broached the idea of a reading program at the library after she heard about R.E.A.D. She and Linus had already been involved in therapy work for some time and she has worked as a reading tutor for children in a number of different programs. The library’s director, Anne Phillips, was intrigued and supportive of the idea and Paws for Reading was born. The program fits perfectly with the library’s summer reading theme, Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales.

Therapy Dogs

Not just any dog can do what Linus does in the library—it takes special training and preparation for both the dog and the handler. All the dogs in the Paws for Reading program are trained therapy dogs and their trained handlers always accompany them. Dogs and handlers are certified by national organizations, including Therapy Dogs International, Inc., Therapy Dogs, Inc. or Delta Society’s Pet Partners Program.

According to the Patten Free Library’s Paws for Reading flier, “Therapy dogs must pass rigorous examinations in training and temperament given by a qualified judge. They must have excellent obedience skills and demonstrate that they are not unduly nervous, shy or aggressive to people or other dogs. Therapy dogs must be able to focus on their handlers in distracting circumstances and must enjoy interacting with all kinds of people.”

Some of the documented benefits of interacting with therapy animals include lowering of blood pressure, increased relaxation and a tendency to forget about pain and limitations. Given the extensive training therapy dogs receive and the soothing effects their presence can have on people, it is a natural extension that they be used in children’s reading programs.

Patrick and Martha

Patrick and Martha are also members of the Paws for Reading therapy dog team. They are present this evening with their handlers to observe Linus and Beegel. Both Patrick and Martha are certified therapy dogs and anxious to begin their work.

Patrick is a 2-year-old Standard Poodle. He has a championship title in American Kennel Club (AKC) conformation showing and experience working in nursing homes. Patrick loves kids and clearly wants each one in the library to come say hello to him. His handler, Joan Harrigan, works for the TD Banknorth Insurance Agency, which encourages volunteerism. “I feel that I owe it to the community to give back. What better way than to combine my love of dogs and volunteer at the same time?” says Harrigan.

Martha is a 15-month-old Old English Sheepdog. She is an AKC Canine Good Citizen and she passed her therapy dog test this month. May Mitchell, Martha’s handler, says, “This is what Martha loves to do—sit and be paid attention to; sit and be petted. She loves kids.” Mitchell adds that Martha is a little shy and that the Paws for Reading program is a “good introduction to her therapy dog work because it is a quiet setting.” If this works out well, they will do some work in nursing homes as well.

Successful Start

Nyree Thomas has been a children’s librarian at the Patten Free Library since 1985. She said that although the program has just begun, she is able to tell from the smiles on the kids’ faces when they finish a session that this program will be very popular. “There is a wonderful connection that can occur between dogs and people,” she added.

It looks like Thomas might be right. When Daria emerges from the reading room with Linus and Beegel, she greets her mother with a smile on her face. Before she leaves that evening, she and her mother spend a few minutes looking at photos of the other therapy dogs in the reading program. Daria points to a picture of Danny, a cute brown Border Terrier. It appears that Danny and his handler have a reading appointment for next week.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=182517&ca=Pets

A Pet In Your Life By Jean DAndrea

I can't imagine a life without pets: can you? Even when I was a child, there were always animals around. Perhaps just a goldfish, or a rabbit, but animals just the same.

Pets are great for teaching children how to care for something properly. Of course, you'll have to make sure the child keeps up the care after the novelty wears off! It's good to get them to be responsible, and a pet is, after all, another life. That's a huge responsibility!

Pets will also teach your child about mortality. It's heartbreaking when a much loved pet dies, or has to be put down, but that's also a lesson best learned early. I remember being very upset at five, when Snowy, my rabbit, died. We buried her in the garden, and said our goodbyes - a good way to teach a child closure.

Many hospitals and retirement homes now have pets, either resident or visiting. They are great therapy for the patients, calming them, and giving them an interest in life. Sometimes the animal visitors are the only reason a patient will speak!

You may find, when you go to a Doctor or Dentist, that there is a tank of fish in the waiting room. Not just for decoration - it's been found to be very relaxing. Personally, I get very uptight visiting the dentist. Watching fish swimming peacefully in their own little world does help me to cope with the thought of that drill and those horrible instruments.....

Pets often have personalities of their own, and are very rewarding to watch and interact with. At the moment, I have two hens, who love to be let out of their pen into the garden. They are currently redesigning (i.e. wrecking) everything to their own satisfaction, unfortunate for the plants, but the hens are having a terrific time! They're particularly fond of snails, and will steal them from each other with alacrity.

I also have an ageing cat, Tia, who believes she owns the house, and me, her slave! When I'm working in my study, Tia will come and meow continuously at me to come and let her out. All very well, however, she has a perfectly adequate cat door, and is very capable of letting herself out. She just prefers my attention and door opening abilities. Just call me a cat valet!

You've heard the saying, 'Dogs come when you call, cats take a message, and might get back to you'? Well, that just about covers it!

I don't have a dog now, but they are completely different in personality to cats - they want to be with you, and be your friend all the time, whereas cats choose their moments, and your moment had better suit them! Don't know what that makes me, but I much prefer cats - perhaps I'm an independant person too?

Whichever animal you choose to have in your home and your life, they will bring you much pleasure. Sure, there is some work involved in having a pet, but the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. In my opinion, of course, but then, I'm a pet lover, and have been all my life.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=115830&ca=Pets