posted by Tess on May 9
How you choose your goldfish, depends largely on two things: the type of fish you really like to see, and the kind of container you intend to keep them in.
People in warmer climates, like to populate their outdoor ponds and pools with goldfish, which is a wonderful addition to the outdoor décor of your lawns and gardens. These may be natural ponds, or manmade pools that are actually vinyl liners sunk into the ground, and provided with air and water circulation through a pump system. This circulation, natural or otherwise, is important to keeping the water well oxygenated for the fish.
But surprisingly, if your pond is deep enough, it’s possible to over-winter your goldfish outside. If you are populating an outdoor pond, it’s best to start with fish that were raised that way themselves, as there is less likelihood of losing some that are unable to adapt. Store-bought fish raised in tanks can adapt, but you can expect to lose a certain percentage of them, depending on the harshness of the weather.
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posted by Tess on May 5
Choosing a horse will be one of the most important decisions you ever make so for the sake of both you and the horse - take your time.
At 50 I was a bit older than the average first time horse owner, so should have got it right. I fell in love with a pretty little horse that I had ridden on a riding holiday when he was in his own environment and I was relaxed and had all the time in the world.
9 months later, after a lot of heartache I admitted that he was the wrong horse for my lifestyle and experience and fortunately he was able to go back to his original owner. Pretty traumatic for me, but less so for him as he was going back to where he was happy.
Our livery yard owner helped me decide what type of horse I was looking for by considering the following:
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posted by Tess on Mar 22
Birds can make wonderful pets and companions and there are many different birds to choose from. Two of the most popular are cockatiels and parakeets. Cockatiels and parakeets make wonderful pets that only require simple daily care. They don’t take up a lot of space, they eat small amounts of food, and they don’t require a daily walk outside. They love being around people and often want out of their cages just so they can be closer to you. Some even learn to talk.
You’re not alone in considering a pet bird. In fact, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA), birds are the 3rd most popular pet behind cats and dogs.
It all sounds great doesn’t it? Slow down a little bit, before you rush out to buy a cockatiel or a parakeet, take some time to think about whether or not you are ready for a bird companion. There are a few things for you to consider before you decide if you’re ready for the responsibilities that comes with parakeets and cockatiels.
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posted by Tess on Mar 20
A horse is a companion like no other…it feels very mystical when you get a horse that’s right for you…
If you are venturing out to buy a horse, then that means you have done all of your homework and have researched and understand all that is involved in horse ownership–you are aware of the long-term commitment required and know the responsibility and costs involved in owning a horse. And you have made arrangements to provide a suitable home for your new horse.
That said, you will want to have some idea on the kind of horse you’re looking for before going horse shopping. What characteristics and personality do you want your horse to have? You can gain some idea by using your own past experience taking trail rides or riding lessons, going to horse shows, reading horse magazines or talking to horse owners. Knowing what sort of horse you want before shopping will help keep you focused and not get caught up in a spontaneous purchase, only to find out later on you ended up with the wrong horse. You also need to know what your horse-buying budget is and only concentrate on shopping for horses within your established price range.
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posted by Tess on Feb 23
There are lots of ways that people choose a new family dog. Some may search the newspaper for advertisements from breeders who are selling new puppies others find breeders via listings on the internet, while still more may simply purchase a puppy from a local pet store. Perhaps the best method, however, in terms of being helpful to society in general is to adopt a dog from a local animal shelter.
Adopting a dog brings a new friend into your life. It also helps to reduce the number of unwanted and homeless dogs in your area. Unless the shelter is a “no kill” facility (and these are sadly few and far between), it will also save a dog’s life. Animal lovers everywhere champion the adoption of dogs from shelters as opposed to any other method of bringing home a new pet for this reason alone, but there are other reasons to choose the adoption option.
• Adopted pets have had their shots • Shelters often have information about a dog’s temperament • Adopting a pet frees space in the shelter for more dogs
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posted by Tess on Feb 7
If choosing dog is such a straight forward process, and it is, how come so many puppies find their way into adoption centres every year? Well one reason is that people choose the wrong dog breed.
Don’t let your puppy become a statistic. Make it your goal to choose a puppy suited to your family and circumstances. Think about your previous experience of owning a dog and the amount of time you have for training, grooming and exercising. Look at your health including possible allergies, your financial resources and the amount of space in your house and yard. Most of all work out how much time you have for a dog.
Of all the different factors in choosing a the right dog breed, among the most important is the relationship you want with your dog. Some breeds by nature are rather aloof and elegant, others are independent and energetic while others are dependent or submissive. If you want to do specialized training, consider breeds known for courage and trainability. If you want an affectionate pet, choose a breed that typically likes to be close to its people.
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posted by Tess on Jan 18
You may wish to consider a chinchilla as a possible pet. They are of the rodent family, (but it doesn’t seem that way).
Also known as “chins” they have incredible velvety fir, and they resemble a chubby squirrel with Mickey mouse type ears. They are nocturnal, although they do get up and play alot during the day. Chins are very smart and playful, and I’m told can be trained. They are also very clean,so their cage area doesn’t tend to stink as many other types of caged animals can.
I got my first pair of chinchillas, as adults, a proven breeding pair. They were nice enough but they never really did bond with us. We ended up having 3 litters total. They usually have 1-3 babies (also known as kits), and their pregnancy is 111 days (about 4 months), which is very long gestation period for an animal that size.
The babies are born fully formed, “ready to go″ you might say. Fully furred, eyes opened, running around. They can even eat adult food almost from day 1, although they prefer to nurse.
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posted by Tess on Jan 16
Many animal lovers get parrots because they are attracted to the parrot’s unusual personality. Parrots are entertaining and beautiful but they are also quick-tempered, independent and very smart animals.
With that being said is a parrot the right pet for you? There are many things to consider should you finally decide to purchase a parrot.
The first thing to consider is the size of your space. Do you have enough room to keep a large cage to house your parrot? You want to make sure that you and your parrot will be comfortable with the amount of room that you have.
Another thing to consider when deciding if a parrot is the right pet for you is noise. Parrots can be quite loud. You may enjoy the noise a parrot makes when it is trying to get your attention, however, you want to take into account your surroundings. If you are in an apartment or your neighbors are really close, it may be more noise than they can tolerate.
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posted by Tess on Jan 13
Man’s Best Friend has been a trusted protector of our homes for thousands of years. Their keen senses and awareness, along with a pack mentality, have made dogs a valuable asset to man in his effort to keep his home secure.
In today’s world, home protection dogs are more valuable than ever. They can deter break-ins, assaults, and give real world protection in situations where lethal force is not an option.
Of course, a trained protection dog is not a panacea and they are certainly not for everyone. Weighing your options is very important and there are many things to consider before your purchase.
1. COST
The cost of a trained dog can be astronomical. A trained protection dog can cost as little as $1500 and as much as $50,000! While the old adage,”You get what you pay for,” is generally true, the more expensive dog is not always the better one. Investigate costs from reputable trainers and compare your needs to your budget. Decide what you can afford and discuss this with your vendor. Some may even offer financing or payment plans.
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posted by Tess on Jan 12
While excitement and anticipation will be at the top of the list when bringing home a new puppy for the first time, preparing for his arrival should rank highly on the list. Just as you would have to prepare a home when you have a toddler, pet owners also have to take certain precautions when “puppy-proofing.”
Before you begin preparing your home for a puppy, you should think about the front yard and garden. First, check fences and gates to be sure there are no holes massive enough for him to get his head stuck in or escape through. Watch for litter and trash cans, which can be knocked over, giving your new puppy the opportunity to eat things that might make him sick. Also, know where you are treating your lawn and garden with pesticides, and then don’t let your puppy in that area. In addition, produce sure that all chemicals and more harmful products are put away out of your new child’s reach.
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