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Sharpei Dog's Companion

My human companion
We're growing up together.

This picture is from a postcard.

How to Find a Pet?

Practical Advice and Considerations You Need to Know:

• Do you have room for a pet?
• What activities do you enjoy?
• Do you have a no-pets clauses?
• How much will your pet cost?
• What if a pet doesn't fit your lifestyle?
• Veterinarians and other community resources
• A check-up for your new companion
• Prepare your home for your pet's arrival

Pets are truly members of the American family. About 60% of U.S. households have at least one dog, cat, bird, or other companion animal

Pets are popular because they provide companionship, joy, unconditional love, a sense of safety, and often a service. These are probably some of the reasons why you're thinking about getting a pet. Animals are fun to be with every day. They make us feel good!

Your pet-owning experience will be most enjoyable if you take the time to consider which animal best suits your family. You can start by answering some easy questions and gathering sound information and advice. This process won't take long and it will be educational and fun, particularly for children.

Select your pet the best way--the way recommended by veterinarians. A pet will become your daily responsibility, so make an informed pet selection. Don't let the playful antics of the first puppy, kitten, or bird you see or the latest status-symbol pet charm you into accepting a responsibility for which you and your family are not prepared.

You've read articles about the millions of unwanted pets that have to be put to death each year. Pets selected on impulse, "for the children," or as a gift during the holidays sometimes end up this way. These pets once belonged to people who fell in love--and then changed their minds.

Selecting a pet should be a family project with everyone's needs, concerns, fears, and medical history (including allergies) considered. Family members should decide together what kind of animal they want, the amount of time they anticipate spending with it, and the amount of responsibility each person is willing to assume. Be realistic. Promises from some family members, particularly children, may not be fulfilled.

Your goal is to identify the best animal(s) for your living space, lifestyle, and budget. Take time, involve the family, and answer the following questions.

Do you have room for a pet?
Active dogs need more space and more daily exercise than older or more sedentary dogs. Some pets may get enough exercise within the confines of a house or apartment. For their own safety, dogs and cats should not be allowed to run uncontrolled, but should be walked on a leash or exercised in an enclosed area. Most animals are better kept indoors or in a suitable kennel while you're gone.

What activities do you enjoy?
You and your family should discuss the reasons you want a companion animal and what you expect an animal to do with and for you. Most people keep pets as companions, whereas others enjoy animals for showing, breeding, hunting, or other reasons. Will the animal you're considering have the temperament and physical attributes to participate in your outdoor activities (hiking, hunting, or camping) or in quiet pastimes at home? If your leisure activities take you away from home, who will care for your pet during your absences? Read about the temperaments and needs of species and breeds, and identify those that best match your lifestyle.

How do you spend your day?
Pets depend on people for daily affection and attention. Young puppies and kittens require time for housebreaking, training, and feeding. Are you gone all day? Do you frequently work late? What will you do with your pet during long absences? Feeding, exercise, grooming, and play are daily time commitments that must be considered in caring for a healthy, happy pet.

Do You Have a No-Pets Clause?
Most rental agreement no-pets clauses apply only to dogs and cats; birds or small mammals may be acceptable. If you want a dog or cat but your lease or condominium association rules prohibit them, ask that the no-pets clause be waived or negotiated. Outline your plan to care for your pet, to adapt to your living environment, and to meet your landlord's expectations. Assure your association leaders that you are a responsible pet owner who is aware of the importance of a well-behaved animal and a clean environment. Furnish references from previous landlords or neighbors. Agree in writing to pay a refundable deposit or a small monthly surcharge.

How Much Will Your Pet Cost?
The purchase price of an animal varies greatly. All pets need food and shelter, and most should have regular visits to a veterinarian for health checkups and vaccinations. Depending on the type of animal you choose, other cost considerations include emergency medical treatment, grooming, boarding, licensing, obedience training, and accessories. Pet health insurance for unexpected illnesses or injuries is available in many states.

What If a Pet Doesn't Fit Your Lifestyle?
After discussing the role a pet will play in your life and talking with knowledgeable people, you may conclude that your first choice for a pet is not appropriate, so be flexible. Your veterinarian may suggest other companion animals whose needs more closely match your own.

Veterinarians and Other Community Resources
When your family decides it's time to actually look for a pet, each person should participate in the selection process. A good place to start is a family consultation with a veterinarian to determine the compatibility of your needs with those of the animal(s) being considered. Veterinarians can offer expert advice on the physical needs, health, and behavioral characteristics of particlular animals, and can direct you to other resources.

A Check-up for Your New Companion
The neighbor, breeder, shelter, or pet store where you obtain your pet should allow you to have the animal examined by a veterinarian and to return it within an agreed-upon time if the animal is unhealthy. Do this as soon as possible, before you become emotionally attached to the animal.

Prepare Your Home for Your Pet's Arrival
Before bringing a pet into your home, prepare a special place for it to eat and sleep. At first, try to maintain the animal's daily schedule for play, eating, and elimination. Decide where you will exercise your pet. Obtain any necessary accessories (such as collar and ID tag, leash, scratching post, litter box, crate, bird cage, etc.) before you bring your pet home. You should pet-proof your home just as you would child-proof your home to avoid accidents. Harmful cleansers, plants, electrical cords, and breakable objects should be removed from potential contact with your pet. What will you do with your pet during long absences? Feeding, exercise, grooming, and play are daily time commitments that must be considered in caring for a healthy, happy pet.

Information from avma.org

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Pet Obesity

Alliance will help veterinarians address obesity in pets
AVMA, Hill's Pet Nutrition have developed an awareness and prevention program

Obesity has increased dramatically in the United States during the past 20 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While the CDC data describe the human population, other studies indicate that a substantial proportion of American pets also have become obese.

In response, the AVMA and Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. have joined together to help veterinarians and veterinary staff educate clients about the health implications of obesity in cats and dogs. On Jan. 20 at the North American Veterinary Conference in Orlando, Fla., the organizations announced the formation of the Alliance for Healthier Pets—Obesity Awareness and Prevention Program. The alliance is offering the 2008 Obesity Awareness and Prevention Kit to veterinary clinics and launching the 2008 PetFit Challenge and PetFit Tour.

"This outreach effort will reinforce the veterinary profession's irreplaceable role in preserving the health and well-being of pets," said Dr. W. Ron DeHaven, AVMA executive vice president. "Obesity-related diseases are robbing beloved pets of both length and quality of life.

"Even more exciting is evidence that, because the human-animal bond and the veterinarian's role in maintaining it are so powerful, this effort will have an indirect benefit to the obesity epidemic we are seeing in our nation's human population."

Encouraging clients to spend more time walking their dogs or playing with their cats could, for example, improve the physical fitness of pets and pet owners alike.

A weight subject
Veterinarians and veterinary staff may have concerns about discussing pet obesity with clients who are self-conscious about their own weight, who can't identify the problem in their pets, or who overfeed pets when showing affection.

The 2008 Obesity Awareness and Prevention Kit contains materials to assist in starting the conversation with clients regarding the optimal weight of their cats and dogs. The program guide provides tips for initiating the weight discussion, promoting pet fitness, and improving compliance. The kit also contains cat and dog owners' guides to healthy weight management, a tool for body condition scoring, cards to remind owners when pets are due for a checkup, feeding cups, and a window cling. Posters, a scale mat, and a counter mat will be shipped separately.

Dr. Gregory S. Hammer, AVMA president, said the purpose of the Alliance for Healthier Pets with Hill's is to provide creative tools to assist with client education.

"Through the adoption of proper nutrition, increased physical activity, and regular veterinary visits, owners can help their best friends live longer and healthier lives," Dr. Hammer said. "This is based on the scientific evidence that obesity is not just an appearance problem; it is a condition that can lead to serious disease."

The JAVMA has published scientific articles from a number of studies that investigated aspects of obesity in cats and dogs. "Associations between body condition and disease in cats" (see JAVMA, June 1, 1998, page 1725) concluded that obese cats are more than twice as likely as cats of optimal weight to develop nonallergic skin conditions, four times as likely to develop diabetes mellitus, and five times as likely to develop lameness requiring veterinary care. "Effects of diet restriction on life span and age-related changes in dogs" (see JAVMA, May 1, 2002, page 1315 [PDF]) found that diet restriction in dogs increased median life span and delayed the onset of signs of chronic disease.

The Obesity Awareness and Prevention Program is relevant to both the AVMA mission of "improving animal, human, and public health" and Hill's mission "to enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pets." The organizations seek to create an impetus for veterinary professionals to talk with pet owners about weight management for at-risk patients. The outreach effort emphasizes sound nutrition, daily fitness, and regular weigh-ins at the veterinary clinic.

"Pet obesity continues to be a condition more veterinary health care teams find during pet examinations, and there is a need to help owners understand the ramifications," said Dr. Christine Jenkins, director of Hill's Academic Affairs. "We are excited to team up with the AVMA to help impact the lives of pets in need of a weight lifestyle change."

According to petobesityprevention.com there are an estimated 33 million obese pets in the United States. It's an estimated 45% of all pets in the United States are overweight.

How to tell if your pet is a healthy weight

• Ribs are easily felt
• Tucked abdomen - no sagging stomach
• Waist when viewed from above

Signs of Overweight Pet

• Difficult to feel ribs under fat
• Sagging stomach - you can grab a handful of fat
• Broad, flat back
• No waist

Ideal Pet Wefight Ranges: For Dogs

• Labrador Retriever: 55-80 lbs.
• Golden Retriever: 55-75 lbs.
• Yorkshire Terrier: 8 lbs.
• German Shepherd Dog: 70-95 lbs.
• Beagle: 26-31 lbs.
• Dashshund: not more than 16 lbs.
• Boxer: 53-70 lbs.
• Poodle (Miniature): 11 lbs.
• Shih Tzu: 8-18 lbs.
• Miniature Schnauzer: 11-15 lbs.

For Cats

• Domestic Cat: 8-10 lbs.
• Persian: 10-11 lbs.
• Siamese: 5-10 lbs.
• Maine Coon: 11-15 lbs.

The Risks: Common Health Risks of Obesity in Pets

• Osteoarthritis
• Type 2 Diabetes
• heart Disease
• Hypertension
• Cancer

Daily Pet Caloric Needs: Dogs

• 10 lbs. - 220 to 300 calories
• 20 lbs. - 350 to 450 calories
• 50 lbs. - 750 to 1000 calories

Cats

• 10 lbs. - 200 to 220 calories

Article and picture from avma.org &
Weight & caloric information from petobesityprevention.com

Baby Dog Models

We are calendar model dogs. We don't know how we got into modeling but it's not fun. We have to do things over and over what people tell us to do. We just want to play.