Classic Super Bowl Commercial - Pepsi Goldfish

Another classic pet related Super Bowl commercial. In this one, "Sparky" the goldfish plays dead until a boy holds a Pepsi over his tank and he performs tricks. Dad is clueless, though, and flushes the lifeless fish (a common practice).

Later, we see Sparky in the ocean doing back flips for a fisherman.

Another example of how pets help sell products.

Trackposted to Big Dog's Weblog, Cao's Blog, The Random Yak, third world county, and The Yankee Sailor, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Pet Picture - Be Weird!

Priceless Picture!

Giants Fan Dyes Dog Blue

WNYW in New York is holding a "How True Blue Are You?" contest, soliciting fan submissions of photographs that show how loyal fans are to the Giants. Joe Gannascoli, the man who played Vito Spatafore on The Sopranos submitted a picture of he and his wife holding their dog, which they had, in support of the Giants, dyed blue.

.....Maybe next time he should dye himself blue and see how he likes it.

Dog Quotable

"The greatest pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him, and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself, too."
- Samuel Butler

"A dog is the only thing on earth that will love you more than you love yourself."
- Josh Billings

"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." Will Rogers

"The average dog is a nicer person than the average person." Andy Rooney

"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man." Mark Twain

"There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face." Ben Williams

Canada Town to Put Down Pitbull

Found this article on zootoo.com. Unbelievable that this stuff happens! Are people that naive about dog breeds? Apparently so!
by Matt Van Hoven

MISSISSAGUA, Ontario – A Canadian woman's pit-bull-mix could be euthanized because of a 2005 law that bans pit bulls and “substantially similar” dogs from the Canadian province of Ontario.

Gabriela Nowakowska says she bought 10-month-old Rambo a few months ago at a flea market.

So on Christmas when the dog got out of Nowakowska's back yard and was picked up by animal control, it came to light that the she was violating that law – although she didn't know it.

Now the City of Mississagua says that either the dog be turned over to them for euthanasia or Nowakowska will need to pursue legal action. But she says she can't afford a lawsuit.

Twenty-year-old Nowakowska says she has been able to raise about $500, which should be enough to get the dog out of “jail” pending trial

The law that's gotten Rambo into this mess was passed by Premier of Ontario, Dalton McGuinty in 2005. The charge for that law was lead by another man, MP Michael Bryant. Interestingly, one Canadian source said that when Bryant was given 24 pictures of different dogs and asked to locate a pit bull, he chose a photo of a Preso Canario.

As for Rambo, it's been reported that employees at the animal control center where he's being held play with the dog regularly. Nowakowska backed that point, noting that the dog, which is a mixed-breed, is very gentle. We were unable to find any evidence that the dog has even been involved in any attacks.

Rambo's vet says it's hard to pinpoint exactly which breeds belong to the dog's heritage. The vet also said it's unclear exactly how old the dog is, but it seems to be around the 10-month mark.

All that aside, animal welfare groups and local Ward counsellors Pat Saito and Carolyn Parrish have stepped in to defend Rambo, citing the unclear wording of the law and the unfair nature of a breed ban.

Saito said dogs should be judged on their behavior, not their lineage.

Nowakowska says she's pushing to get Rambo back, and will only consider having him turned over to a rescue outside Ontario once she has exhausted the alternatives. Meantime, counsellors Saito and Parrish are working to get the dog a 24-hour reprieve for travel out of the province should he need to be relocated. That's because there's a travel ban on all pit bulls in the province, except those that are grandfathered in.

It seems unlikely that Nowakowska will get Rambo back considering overturning the law is no small undertaking. However, this is not the first time a pit bull has been booted from the province. Another dog named Bandit was relocated to Washington State not long ago. He now serves as a K-9 officer there.

Trackposted to Blog @ MoreWhat.com, Big Dog's Weblog, Rosemary's Thoughts, Wolf Pangloss, Dumb Ox Daily News, and A Newt One, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Cat Body Language

Cats are funny. They just are! But what does their body language tell us? Here are some assumptions:

Cats will twitch the tips of their tails when hunting or angry, while larger twitching indicates displeasure. They may also twitch their tails when playing. A tail held high is a sign of happiness, or can be used as a greeting towards humans or other cats (usually close relatives) while half-raised shows less pleasure, and unhappiness is indicated with a tail held low. A scared or surprised cat may puff up its tail and the hair along its back may stand straight up and turn its body sideways to a threat in order to increase its apparent size.

Tailless cats who possess only a small stub of a tail move the stub around as though they possessed a full tail, though it is not nearly as communicative as that of a fully tailed cat. Touching noses is a friendly greeting for cats, while a lowered head is a sign of submission. Some cats will rub their faces along their guardian's cheek or ankles as a friendly greeting or sign of affection. This action is also sometimes a way of "marking their territory," leaving a scent from the scent glands located in the cat's cheek.

Cats also lick both each other and people (e.g. their owners). Cats lick each other to groom each other and to bond together (this grooming is usually done between cats that know each other very well). They will also sometimes lick people for similar reasons, that is, to "groom" them and to show them caring and affection.
When cats are happy, they are known to paw their guardian with a kneading motion. Cats often use this action alongside purring to show contentment and affection for their guardians or other times it can be when the cat is in pain or dying it is said to be a way of comforting itself. It is instinctive to cats, which use it when they are young to stimulate the mother cat's breast to release milk during nursing. As a result, cats hand-raised by humans may lack this reflex.

Pawing is also a way for cats to mark their territory. The scent glands on the underside of their paws release small amounts of scent onto the person or object being pawed, marking it as "theirs" in the same way they would urinate to mark their territory.

Yawning in front of their owner and blinking behavior is common in cats and may be a sign of trust or affection. Cats will respond to a human who dramatically closes and opens their eyes by reciprocating the action. This perhaps illustrates a remarkable aspect of cat intelligence; that they are able to identify and relate part of their own anatomy to the same structure on another species.

Fish Bowls Not Ideal

Although people usually get that one fish in a bowl for a gift, that doesn't mean that the situation is idea. I have previously written about how to care for that goldfish bowl, however, that doesn't mean it is the best way to go about housing a fish.

Fish, especially goldfish, give off lots of waste products. These waste products, of course, stay in the water - their living environment. These waste products turn to ammonia if not properly filtered out. The ammonia is toxic to fish, burning their gills and eventually killing them if not removed.

Although housing a fish in a bowl can be done successfully, it take great diligence to constantly change the water in the bowl as mentioned in my other article. The easier way, is to have a small tank with a filter in it that can help remove the dirt, waste and ammonia. The tank will still need water changes and the filter media will need to be changed. However, by using a tank with a filter, you can be a bit more lax in how often you change the water.

Goldfish are dirty fish and they should not really be kept in goldfish bowls. But if you do proper maintenance and care for your goldfish it can be done.Goldfish bowls are just too small and there is no filter or air. If people are looking at taking care of their goldfish and having your new pet for a long time they should really invest in like a 10-20 gallon aquarium. By having more water your goldfish will be healthier and hopefully live a long healthy life.There is nothing wrong starting off with the goldfish bowl but usually it's not long before people usually get hooked on the hobby and get a bigger tank.

TIPS ON LOCATING LOST PETS

Guest writer: By Donna Velardi
www.zodiapet.com and www.healthypetcompany.com

When out pet goes missing or lost, we panic. We feel dread and imagine every worst case scenario that could have happened or is going to happen. If we take the following steps our rate of success in locating our pet will dramatically increase.

• We need to keep an open and clear mind. This will keep you thinking straight and clearly.


• Don’t Panic – If your pet is missing (when missing your pet knows where they are and how to get home) as opposed to lost (lost is when they don’t know where they are or are unable to come home) if you call them in a panicked voice they may not respond to you as this is not the “voice” they are used to. So try to remain calm and call your pet in a “normal” calm voice.


• Start your search immediately – don’t wait. The sooner you start your search the more successful you will be in locating your pet quickly.


• Search your home immediately (especially for cats). Look under and behind items such as washing machines, reclining chairs, sofas and look behind the fabric of all the furniture. Also, check drop down ceilings and other small places that make great hiding places for small pets especially cats.


• Walk your neighborhood; leave flyers with your pet’s photo and pertinent information. Leave flyers in all mail boxes. Post flyers on trees, polls, etc. and put them in a plastic covering as to protect them from the weather elements. Also, place in grocery stores and offices. Leave flyers within at least a 1 mile radius of your where your pet went missing.


• Talk to as many people as possible. Actual contact with people is best as people respond and will be more helpful when they have personal contact.


• When searching, bring a powerful flashlight with you so you can look in dark places.


• Call all local animal shelters and VISIT THEM to see if your pet was brought there. It has been the experience of some that when a phone call is made accurate information is not always given, that is why a personal visit is better.


• Place an ad in all local newspapers – get the information out to as many people as possible.


• Don’t be afraid to consult with an animal communicator. They sometimes can give some detail as to the location of your pet. Inquire about fees and don’t be taken advantage of. The cost should not be that much more than their normal hourly fee and SHOULD INCLUDE FOLLOW UP CALLS FROM YOU.


• Keep the faith – if you don’t find your pet within a week or two, DO NOT GIVE UP. Sometimes it can take weeks or even months to be reunited with your pet. Did you ever wonder where all those pets in shelters came from? Some are lost pets whose caregivers gave up on them.


• Follow your intuition – if you are connected and bonded with your pet, follow what you feel. You will be amazed at what you find.


• DON’T BE TAKEN ADVANTAGE BY SCAM ARTISTS. There are people out there who prey on vulnerable people. They charge large amounts of money to tell you what to put on a flyer and where you should post them. If you chose to contact a pet detective or an animal communicator, they should be reputable people and ask what their success rate is and ask for references. Also, their fee should be reasonable.

What you should include in your flyer:

• Recent photo of your pet


• Pet’s name


• Your first name and phone number (a cell phone is best as it protects your privacy and you can always carry it with you)


• Description of your pet and any unusual markings


• A great website for missing cats is www.catsinthebag.org they give wonderful insights to the mind of a cat when they are lost. They explain the difference in the mind sets between an indoor cat and an outdoor cat. This site has a lot of information on locating missing pets.

If you have any questions on missing or lost pets you can contact Donna Velardi at 203-387-9738 (ZPET) or email at petastrologer@yahoo.com.

Gas Busters for Dogs

Us dog owners have all been there! We're sitting around, and all of a sudden there is that strange, raunchy odor. Someone "ripped one." But, you're all alone with the dog. Well, if it wasn't you, then it must have been the dog.

www.healthypetcompany.com is offering a solution to this problem - Gas Busters, a bite-sized treat for dogs that is supposed to help eliminate the problem. According to the company, the product is "Veterinarian formulated and this dietary supplement helps balance your pet's digestive system to reduce excessive gas. And, the great flavor means your dog will eat Doggie-Bites like a treat."

Of course, if I start giving this to my dogs, then it makes it harder to blame them when the gas is....umm...well, that of a human!

More Employers Offering Pet Insurance

Found an interesting article on MSN about pet insurance being offered by employees. You can find the full article at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22669844/

According to the article "Veterinary Pet Insurance, the nation’s largest pet insurer, saw its corporate accounts balloon from 15 to 1,600 in the past six years. About 15 percent of Veterinary Pet Insurance’s policies, or about 50,000, now come from its corporate accounts."

"The growth of this perk comes as pets occupy an increasingly prominent place in the American home. According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, pet owners spent an estimated $9.8 billion on veterinary care in 2007, up from $7.1 billion in 2001."

However, only about 2% of pets right now are insured. That number is expected to rise as more and more companies look into offering pet insurance for their employees.

My Dog's "Flix" at Greetingflix.com

I was recently contacted by http://www.greetingflix.com/ to check out their site and their unique twist on online photo imaging.


In today's digital world, it has become easier to transfer and show off your digital photos. But, Greeting Flix allows you to do more then show off your digital shots.


According to the site, "we set out to build a simple system that would empower people to combine the magic of music, motion and memorable messages with their personal photographs. The result is Greetingflix. Greetingflix gives you the ability to instantly create highly-personalized, cinematic e-greetings that feature your most treasured memories. A Greetingflix is a meaningful gift that brightens the day of your recipient."


So basically, you upload your digital pictures, and then insert them in a premade "flix" that can be sent where ever you want. The flix has graphics and music along with your pictures. And, they give you an html code so that you can put your flix on your websites. And, of course, I wouldn't be writing about it if they didn't have a pet related "flix."



Creating a flix is free, but in the free mode you are limited in storage capacity which limits how many pictures you can upload to your account. An upgrate to pro, for a nominal fee, gives you a lot more storage for all of your pictures.



Right now there aren't many pre-made flix, but the company hopes to add several more in the near future. The navigation was a bit confusing at first, and there is a learning curve in getting used to the site.

So, let me know what you think of my Flix!

What’s New in the Pet World?

This article come to us from guest writer Donna Velardi. Donna is the owner of several pet businesses (see contact info below).

Last year, H.H. Backer’s held an annual Pet Industry show in Atlantic City where there were hundred of venders selling the classic pet products such as food, clothing, toys and a very large aquatic section.

What was most interesting were the new pet items soon to be coming on the market. One in particular for cat lovers is the Feline Solarium made of transparent thermoplastic material. It is not your typical window seat. The “solarium” fits your window and juts out so your pet is getting the view of the actual outdoors but with the safety of being indoors.
It is a great alternative to a window seat or a cat enclosure. It provides your cat or small pet with a bird’s eye view of the outside.

We have all seen stairs for our pets, now they are making some that are light and portable for easy storage. One such is the PupSTEP+Plus, these stairs are portable, no assembly required. They can actually fit under a bed or sofa for easy storage. Not only are they easily affordable but can hold up to 120lbs.

Then there is the Skamper-Ramp, designed for protecting pets in a pool or other water area. Every year in the U.S. alone tens of thousands of family pets needlessly drown in swimming pools and walled ponds/lakes. The Skamper-Ramp is made of box corrugated plastic, easy to assemble and allows your pet to easily scamper out of a pool area.

Now we have all been in situations with our dogs when they become thirsty and we do not have a water bowl for them. You could then use the Pet Top Portable Drinking Device. This top fits on most bottled water so you can easily bring bottled water for your best friend. It screws onto the top the bottled water and flows slowly through so your dog can have drink of water. Can also be used for cats and horses too!

We have all seen dog boots that just don’t work. A new designer has come up with Pawz Disposable Pet Boots. It is the only disposable, natural rubber dog boot designed to go on easily and fit securely without zippers or straps. Fashionable yet durable. Pawz protect against: snow melt and lawn chemicals, liquids, soil, sand, pool liner tears. Pawz is the most natural-feeling boot your dog can wear. The material is thin enough that your dog feels the ground and can bend their paws, providing a sense of security.
Can be used for cats too!

If you are interested in learning more about these items you can visit: http://www.specialforpets.com/

There were numerous health care items for pets. They now sell several pet first aid kits along with wound care kits. One item that comes with the Wound Care Kit is Banana Cream. Banana Cream is good not only for pets but for humans too! It is all natural and it great for stings, itches, burns. If skin is cut or swollen, Banana Cream is the answer!

PediGREEN also new on the market, is a brand of pure, safe and effective homeopathic and natural products designed for animals. PediGREEN is designed to be gentle, natural and chemical-free products that reinforce and stimulate the body's own healing abilities. It comes in 3 different spay kits, First Years Kit, Active Kit, and the Senior Care Kit.

HyaFlex - Hyaluronic Acid for joint health maintenance. Its function in the body is, to bind water and lubricate movable parts of the body such as joints and muscles. Hyaflex claims to be one of the purest and highest in molecular weight of any oral hyaluronic acid product, meaning it has better lubricating and shock absorbing properties.

Another interesting product is Peepers, a diaper for dogs and cats. Yes, diapers have been out for a while for our pets, but this one has a whole in the right place for your pet’s tail so it fits securely. It also has anti-bacillus polymer that eliminates odor.

If you wish to learn more about these health care products you may visit: http://www.healthypetcompany.com/ or call 203-804-8564 for more information.

Remember the pet industry is now a multi-billion dollar business. All products claim to be the best and can do wonders for your pet. While many of these products are worthwhile you need to research the products and determine if they are right for your pet. And always when in doubt consult with a veterinarian.

Trackposted to Pirate's Cove, Celebrity Smack, The Pink Flamingo, Big Dog's Weblog, Rosemary's Thoughts, Allie is Wired, and The Yankee Sailor, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

The Pet Vet Site

http://www.petside.com/portal/site/PetSide/menuitem.44a0447ae939c6c5ab2f3b7ef93c2d04/
Is your dog or cat not eating? Can't figure out why? The people from www.petside.com have created the Pet Vet. Match your pet's symptoms with medical conditions contributed by experts of the ASPCA and find out the answer you need.

The site also includes a Q&A section with a licensed Vet. Although there is no substitution for taking your pet to a local vet, what I like about this site is that it is written in language you can understand if you need to research a certain problem. Say for example that your pet with diagnosed with Halitosis. On the Pet Vet site, you can get more detailed information on diagnosis, symptoms, and at home care. And there are countless diseases listed.

In addition to the Pet Vet section of the site, petside.com has a variety of tips and write-ups that may help your pet, plus news, notes, and detailed breed info for both dogs and cats.

Check it out and let me know what you think.

Men Kill Dog, Owner Kills Men

This bazaar story comes to us from Russia. How would you react in this situation.

RUSSIA – An eastern Serbian man whose dog was killed for food caught the culprits in the act and murdered them.

Alexander Yermilov came home one night in December to find two of his friends butchering his beloved dog for food. Enraged, the 40-year-old picked up an ax and did away with the two men.

According to reports from the town of Chita prosecutor, Yermilov struck his victims on the head, killing them.

He then called local police and explained what happened. He has since been placed in police custody and charged with two counts of murder.

This story was reported by the Australian news source, 'The Daily Telegraph.'

Stray Dog in Zoo Attacked by Tiger

Looks like aren't safe for dogs either. A stray dog ended up in the tiger area at the Memphis Zoo.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - If there is one place to avoid while on the lam in a zoo, it is the tiger pit. One stray dog learned that lesson the hard way and was recovering Wednesday from puncture wounds to its neck and shoulders.
"This is one lucky animal," Memphis Zoo spokesman Brian Carter said of the dog.
The 50-pound female retriever mix darted inside a service entrance to the zoo on Tuesday and led workers on a brief chase before it bolted over a 4-foot-high visitors railing and a retaining wall at the tiger exhibit.
She swam across a 12-foot-wide moat to the interior of the exhibit and was quickly attacked by a 225-pound female Sumatran tiger. The open exhibit's main walls are 18 feet high.
"The exhibit is designed to keep the animals from getting out but not for keeping animals from getting in," zoo spokesman Brian Carter said. "You can jump off a cliff but you can't jump up a cliff."
Zoo workers, who were close on the dog's trail, used fireworks and air horns to distract the two tigers in the exhibit and get them into their night enclosures behind the exhibit's viewing area.
One tiger, born in captivity, had the dog in her grasp for several minutes, Carter said.
"She didn't have the experience of live hunting, but she certainly had the instincts," he said.
After emergency treatment by zoo veterinarians, the dog was taken to the Animal Emergency Medical Center in Memphis where she was reported in good condition Wednesday.
"She's resting comfortably," said clinic manager Clarita Atkinson. "She's fairly unscathed for the amount of damage that could have been done."
The dog was wearing a collar that did not include an address, Carter said, and zoo officials were trying to find the animal's owner. The zoo is in a large park in a residential area of the city.

Woman Finds Dog - Solves Problem

I can't believe this actually happens, but read below and keep in mind that it is a true story.

TEXAS – Kim Velevis and her husband are natives of Houston, Tx. So when they got a letter from Tulsa, Ok., explaining their dog was in a new home, they were a bit confused.

On Christmas Eve, the couple's pug Scooter dug his way out of their fenced in backyard. Just after the new year, the Velevis' received an anonymous letter stating Scooter was in a new home.

The letter's author claimed she found the dog, and that her daughter had always wanted a pug. The woman went on to say that the child's father maintained custody, and she had given the dog to her daughter as a Christmas gift.

The letter explained that the girl lives with her father in Dallas. The author said she has problems with alcohol and has, “lost everything else.”

She went on to say she's been sober for six months and wants her life to be different. However, she couldn't ask forgiveness for what she'd done. “He does have people who love him and are taking care of him,” the letter said.

The Velevis' say they don't want to press charges, but they do want their dog back. They'd even be wiling to buy the girl another dog.

The woman got the Velevis' address from the dog's collar. She also included $20 with the letter as compensation.

Trackposted to The Pink Flamingo, Rosemary's Thoughts, and Adam's Blog, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Who Would Your Pet Vote For?

As a blogger, I get emails about contests, promotions, products, etc. Well, this one comes to me with a simple question....who would your pet vote for in the presidential election? If you have a witty answer, you could win a years worth of free pet food.

Here is the link. http://www.brickfish.com/politics/pawsconnect_vote

And here is a description:Pets can be as discriminating, particular and picky as people, so if they could vote, who would they choose? Would it be a front-runner or a write-in candidate? Here's the chance for your pets to cast their votes and tell us who they'd like to be their ministerial master and why!

My disclaimer: This link is for informational purposes and The Pet Haven is in no way associated with this contest.

Rate Your Pet Store

Love your local pet store? Want to learn more about a groomer in your area? A relative new website is hoping it can lead you in the right direction.
www.zootoo.com is a user-generated opinion-sharing website for pet lovers. It's a site that lets all pet lovers get unbiased information about all animals.

When someone visits the site, they can choose a service, such as a groomer or vet, based on a Zagat-like rating and the opinions of people who may have used the services. Pet lovers can also rate and review products and stores.

Of course, like any ratings site, some of the ratings may be "fluffed" by the store owner themselves. However, this is a step in the right direction in offering pet lovers a portal to express their opinions on their local retailers.

S.F. Zoo to Reopen After Tiger Attack

According to an AP story, nine days after a tiger mauled three visitors, the San Francisco Zoo is set to reopen amid heightened scrutiny of its security procedures and a flurry of questions over the events that led to a teenager's death.

The big cat enclosure where a 350-pound Siberian tiger escaped on Christmas Day was to remain closed indefinitely, while visitors Thursday were to find a new public alert system and more signs around the facility warning people not to pester the animals.

The improvements were made as police investigated whether the victims had taunted the tiger before it climbed or leaped out of its outdoor pen. Carlos Sousa Jr., 17, was killed, and his two friends were severely injured.

Personally, I love going to the zoo. Seeing those exotic and unique animals is fun at any age. However, there have been times when I wondered if maybe there should be some more protection between me and the animals. I'm all for having "natural" habitats for the different species, but aren't a lot of those habitats too easily accessible for people?

And of course, people don't always follow the posted rules. How many times have you been to a zoo where it asked you not to throw anything in the cage and someone did anyway? How many aquariums ask you not to tap on the glass, but yet people do so anyway?

So, the combination of not following the rules along with animals that are too easily accessible, can lead to a disaster. Although I enjoy seeing an animal in a "natural" environment, I can't help but wonder if the person standing next to me is going to do something that might create a hostile environment for an animal. Or, worse yet, happen to just accidentally trip and fall into an area they don't want to be in.

As you can tell, my feelings are mixed on this issue. What do you feel about the natural environment? I look forward to your comments.

Pet Friendly Laws

2007 saw some pet-friendly state laws passed. Here are just some of the highlights.

Arizona passed a law requiring that engine fluid must include a bittering agent to keep pets and children from drinking it by accident.

Indiana signed a bill that makes killing an animal in order to threaten, intimidate, coerce or terrorize a household family member a class D felony, punishable by up to 3 years in prison and a fine.

Iowa passed a law prohibiting 'internet hunting.' Apparently, hunters were setting up web cameras to spot their targets from a distant location. One click on the computer and they could shoot their target.

Many states also enacted legislation that would require disaster plans for evacuating, transporting and sheltering service animals and household pets.

On the federal level, the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act was signed into law. This provides felony penalties for interstate and foreign animal fighting. Since dog kennels rely on transporting their fighting dogs across state lines, the new law should make it more difficult to participate in the dog fighting trade.