Who Fed the Fish?

Have you ever had a fish? I must confess that I'm not a "fish" person, I can't imagine myself forging a bond with a living being that I can have so little interaction with. I can't touch a fish (except when trying to catch it in order to clean the fish tank), it has no facial expressions and it can't "speak" (bark, mew, etc), so I find it hard to "communicate" with one.

Nonetheless, it was a time in my life when I sorta had fish. I started to work in the informatic department of a company and our boss decided that it would be cool to have fishes as pets in the office. We thought so too, mostly thinking it would bring a little life and color to the office.

Well, that was until we notice how awful the fish tank looked after sometime of setting it up, and then, it hit us... we had to clean the fish tank on regular basis! Of course, no one wanted the chore. We rather go and deal with a difficult user than to roll up our sleeves to clean it out. We had to define a schedule so no one would be left out :D

Still, the fish tank keep getting green too fast and we were appalled to have to clean it so often. We knew it wasn't normal for the tank to get dirty so fast, so we did a little investigating and found that we had been overfeeding the fish. Not only some of us had been pouring too much fish food at once, but we had been feeding the fish to many times a day!

Since no one had been officially entrusted with "feed the fish" mission, several of us had been feeding the fish thinking no one had before. Apparently, many of us interpretated the "peeking over the water surface" of the fish to mean that they were starving and that generated repeated feeding times. Even after we knew this, it was difficult to keep a feeding schedule (it was difficult with cleaning one too), we all had our work tasks to do and as we were computer support technicians, we were always on the run to attend an user or repair a computer or any of the million things to do in the office.

Fortunately, we managed to solve that problem by installing and automatic fish feeder and programming it to feed the fish two times a day. That way the fish were correctly fed, the fish tank didn't get dirty so fast and we stopped wasting fish food. The fish feeders are definitively a very neat way to feed your fish, no matter if you're a "fish" person or not. I would recommend getting one of these automatic fish feeders to anyone in the same situation as we were, most of the time offices are hectic but you can still bring some nature into your work space without so much hassle with these simple solutions.

Health Benefits of Cat Ownership

You love your cats for the companionship that they provide. A sympathetic ear, great listening skills, and boundless affection are all great side benefits of cat ownership, but your cat may actually be doing more for you than you think. Recent studies have shown that keeping pets has a positive impact on your health and well being, especially when that pet is a cat.

General Health Benefits

Studies have proven that having contact with a pet is very calming and soothing, and have backed up this conjecture with medical facts. Vital signs taken after an individual’s interaction with a pet show positive effects on the blood pressure, pulse, and breathing frequency, and the results of these tests are surprisingly similar to the body’s condition after deep meditation. Some studies have even indicated that having pets reduces stress and results in a lowered risk of heart disease.Cats and dogs – but especially cats – have been used in some hospitals and nursing homes as a kind of therapy for the bedridden and ill. The warmth of their furry bodies and open, purring friendship can drastically influence a person’s state of mind for the better. A study conducted in the states of New York, Missouri, and Texas found that nursing homes that allowed pets had lower medication costs than those that didn’t.Lowered stress and increased calmness could be the cause, but studies over the last twenty years have also shown that people who own pets are much healthier than their non-pet owning counterparts; they are often less-prone to minor illnesses like colds and influenza, score better on psychological tests, and claim to feel a greater sense of well-being.

Children and Cats

Adults are not the only ones who benefit from caring for a cat. Children who have participated in the raising of a pet have shown higher self esteem levels, better social skills, and a greater sense of responsibility toward others. For young children and infants, exposure to cats at a young age can also help the child develop resistance to allergens and asthma.

Seniors and Cats

Older adults often lack companionship, social connections and opportunities for recreation during their retirement years. Owning a cat can significantly boost the health and happiness of a senior, giving them a feeling of purpose and the knowledge that they are needed.Cats are ideal pets for seniors as they are relatively low-maintenance in comparison to dogs. They don’t need formal exercise like regular walks, or constant trips to the backyard, since they take care of their own exercise routine during play and confine their bathroom habits to a single area.

Cat ownership has been shown to improve the general health and well-being of men with HIV, reduce the loneliness of single women living by themselves, and even help victims of heart disease recover more quickly after a heart attack. Next time you’re cuddling with your cat on the couch, tossing that rubber ball across the linoleum for the sixty-third time, or even cleaning a hairball off the rug, remember that your cat might be doing a lot more for you than you think.

S.O.S. Vet needed!

Emergencies doesn't respect days or hours. In the least expected moment, by carelessness, your pet can suffer an accident. You have to employ, sort of, the same safety principles that you apply with children. Knowing how to react when our faithful companion suffer an accident can save it's life. There are some first aid concepts that you can use while you wait for the veterinarian.

Fractures

When car run-overs or falls occur and your pet moves with difficulty and shows signs of pain, it's possible that it have a broken bone. If that's the case, you have to keep your pet immobilized, specially if you suspect that the fracture is compromising the vertebral spine or the thorax, a broken rib could puncture a lung. It's recommended not to move your pet.

The possibility to move your pet will depend on the degree of pain it feels and it's temperament, being in tension could make it bite. If it's a fractured member, fasten it with splints or roll it on newspaper. You can transport it on a blanket or on a plank that serves as a stretcher.

Bleeding

Wounds or skin cuts can be of different magnitude. Small shallow wounds with light bleeding must be washed with water and disinfected with oxygenated water or alcohol. Later, it's recommended to give your pet some antibiotic to avoid infections and bandage with sterile gauze the affected zone.

If the wound is deep and bleeding profusely, compress bandage with gauze and take your pet immediately to a vet to control the hemorrhage. If you can measure your pet pulse and temperature, you'll know more or less the condition it is.

Heat Stroke

Dehydration is a problem on the sunniest days. It's recommended to go to the vet so he can evaluate the seriousness of the lesions and the percent of body surface compromised. The symptoms of a pet suffering a heat stroke are congestion and panting. If the process is advanced, your pet will be disoriented and showing nervous symptoms that can lead to convulsions.

In this cases, submerge your pet in cool water. Besides, you should check the rectal temperature to verify it's going down gradually. If the heat stroke is serious, take your pet to the vet.

Burns

In case of recent superficial burns, pour cool water or apply iced compress for 20 minutes over the affected zone. If the burns are serious got to the vet immediately.

Growing up with Pets

There are many benefits for kids that grow with pets. I was an only child and I can tell you that having pets made my life a lot less boring and lonely that it could have been. Having a pets, specially a dog, increases the kids' sense of responsibility.

The special relationship between dogs and kids is comforting and it brings many benefits to the child's development. Studies show that children with pets have a great self-esteem and they're more popular between their peers, because they acquire skills to care for others, they have more empathy and they care about their fellows. There's evidence that owning a pet helps to develop non-verbal communication.

Some other studies show that families interact longer after having adopted a pet, because they promote the development of fun activities and friendly conversations. The company of a pet provides relaxation and relief from pressures, and brings a string of benefits to the parents' health. Of course, parents must teach the children to have a safe and respectful relationship with their pets.

Regardless of the studies, my personal experience tells me that having a pet benefits all members of a family. We always had pets in my house, even when I was a baby. I didn't take care of them when I was little, but our dog was always with me watching over me, he didn't let any stranger get close to me or so I was told (I was to little to remember those details). As I grew older, I started to get involved in taking care of our pets, feeding them, help to bath them and others. It should be a gradual process for the child to have more responsibilities as he grows up.

I will always recommend people to have a pet, it doesn't have to be a dog, any pet will bring joy to your life if you choose the right one for you. In my life so far I've had dogs, cats, white mice and rabbits and all of them have been special, all of them have taught me something... so if you're thinking of getting a pet for your kids or family, go for it!

Don't Gamble with your Pet's Life

Why I say this?

Well, it's well known that every year thousands of dogs end up in a shelter. Many of them are the result of accidental breeding and the only way to stop this tragedy is to prevent that our pets have offspring. The canine and feline overpopulation is another serious issue in the world.

If your dog isn't fit for breeding or you're not interested in getting puppies from your dog, spaying is the best option. BUT, you should get a government certified veterinarian to do the procedure or you could put the life of your dog in danger.

I read a story on a magazine where a woman came to a veterinarian mobile unit that was visiting the neighborhood promoting pet spaying. They told her that the surgery was very safe and that they have never lost a dog because of the procedure. She handed them her dog for surgery and they returned her in the afternoon.

The next day, the beautiful 3 year-old Samoyed dog was bleeding from the wound. The woman called the veterinarian and he told her not worry because it was normal. A day later, she took her dog to a veterinarian hospital because the bleeding hadn't stopped. There they told her that her dog had peritonitis, they treated her with antibiotics but, painfully, her dog died. The veterinarians in the hospital explained to her that the veterinarian that performed the surgery hadn't stitched the uterus neck and he had let loose some veins and one of the dog ovaries, that resulted in an internal bleeding which ended the life of her beloved dog.

I was so saddened by the article, things like that shouldn't happen. So people, you're doing the right thing by spaying your pet, but please research the veterinarian certifications... ask a lot of questions and if you're not satisfied get a second opinion. Don't be another owner who loses his pet because an irresponsible veterinarian.

Mutts Want a Home

Thousands of defenseless mutts need a kind and caring person who loves them and gives them a good home. It seems like they have no future, since nobody wants them in their homes; apparently, people like breed dogs.

But, if you stopped to think for a moment, you would find thousands of reasons to adopt one of this little fellas. Many of them end up in the street, enduring hunger and cold, others are picked up by kind-hearted people that wants to give them a good home. They take them to non-profit organizations and wait patiently that someone asks for them.

Some little mutts get adopted easily, but big and older mutts don't have as many options. If you want a company dog, you could think in the possibility of adopting a mutt. In most pet organizations there are plenty of mutts that want a responsible and loving home. I should know, I adopted mine from the street and I couldn't be happier.

As of today, I have three mutts: two of them are adopted and the other was born in the house. They're a source of fun and love in our home everyday, there never is a dull day around them and they always happy to see me when I come home (most than I can say for other members of my household!).

My doggies

You can find a worldwide directory of animal shelters here: http://www.adoptapet.com, hopefully in some animal shelter could be a special friend waiting for you!

Dogs and Alzheimer

Company dogs are often used as therapeutic catalysts susceptible of causing a positive change on the emotional behavior of Alzheimer's patients and improving their life quality. The company dogs therapy consists on using the bond that forms between the animal and the Alzheimer's patient, in order to improve his health and well-being.

Dog selection:

• Basically, stable company dogs that presents positive attitudes to accompany the Alzheimer's patients are chosen, avoiding dogs with behavioural problems like agressiveness and phobias.
• Sometimes company dogs live with families to get used to permanent human contact. They're tested regularly to certify they're still apt.
• Not only the behaviour of the company dogs is important, characteristics like size and hair are evaluated too. Being a good size allows the Alzheimer's patient to touch the dog without bending too much. It also favours that the dogs have long hair so the patient could feel it better when petting the dogs.
• Greyhounds are reported as dogs perfectly adapted to therapy, thanks to their kind and sociable nature, as well as their docile disposition and calm behaviour.

Benefits of company dogs Alzheimer's therapy:

• Company dogs contact help the Alzheimer's patients to feel less lonely and depressed, provide a positive change in their routines and as consequence it stimulates the patient to be more active.
• Frequently the patients talk with their dogs and share with them their thoughts and sentiments. The dog encounters also contributes to a raise in the socialization between confined Alzheimer's patients, being happier.
• This stimuli contribute to exercise the mind and even benefits the memory, they remember the dog and ask for him, wich in turn helps them to remember another aspects of their lives.

One final thing about using company dogs for Alzheimer's therapy: the training is very important. This dogs must have the basic obedience skills, they must know to respond to the 'sit' order, walk and behave adequately in front of strangers.