How to Name Your Dog

So you've finally picked the perfect pooch. You researched breeds and mixes. You considered age, gender and types of fur. Now that darling new family member is looking up at you, and it's time to name him. The choices are endless. You can give him a typically human name or a typically canine name. You can name him for his appearance, his heritage or his personality. In choosing a name that will make both him and you happy, consider how it will sound to him and how it will sound in social situations.

Sound Considerations

Step 1

Choose a name that has no more than one or two syllables. If there's a longer name that you love, think of a one to two-syllable nickname. A name with more syllables takes too long to say when you're repeating it to get your dog's attention and is less likely to capture your dog's attention.

Step 2

Consider the sound that begins prospective dog names. Choosing a name that begins with an s, k or c sound may help your dog hear his name when you call him in a noisy environment.

Step 3

Pick a name that ends with the right sound. Names that end with a vowel may also help your dog to distinguish his name if there is other noise when you call him.

Step 4

Think about whether the name you're choosing rhymes with or sounds like common commands you may teach your dog. For example, if your dog's name is Rover, he may confuse it with the command "roll over." If his name is "Socks," will he expect a walk every time you say his name?

Practical Considerations

Step 1

Avoid very common names. If your dog's name is Lady and you call her at the park, you may have a whole pack show up at your feet.

Step 2

Consider the future. Think about how the name you give your dog today is going to fit and sound three or four years from now. Naming your new Labrador puppy "Tiny" might not seem like such a good idea when he's 70 pounds...or maybe it will!

Step 3

Choose a name that is not going to embarrass you when you use it in public. It may seem funny to name your gentle, lazy Rottweiler "Killer," but think about how you will feel giving that name to the receptionist at the veterinary clinic when you take your dog for his vaccinations.

Step 4

Think about who else might share a name you're considering giving your dog. Many guardians choose "human" names for their pets, and there's no reason to exclude these names from your choices. Just keep in mind that if your dog and your great uncle are both named "Bill," it could make for an awkward situation when you're scolding "Bill" for stealing food from the Thanksgiving table.

Step 5

Look at your dog and consider the obvious. If your new companion is a fuzzy, white Spitz, maybe "Snowball" is a name to consider. If you're looking for a twist, maybe "Midnight" is more your style.

Top 5 Ways Your Cat Loves to Play

Whether he's pouncing, chasing, climbing or jumping, let's face it, your cat enjoys playing. Play time may be synonymous for "fun time," but it actually has its roots in your cat's predatory instincts. Plus, learning new ways to play can help your cat exercise and learn important social behaviors. Read on for five ways to engage your cat in some fun play time activities that help him tap into his inner feline.


The Toy Chase

Being hunters at heart, cats love to chase after moving toys. Choose a toy that's attached to a string and drag it along the ground to mimic the movements of a prey animal. Then, watch your cat stalk, run after and pounce on the toy just as he would in the wild. Allow your cat to catch the toy prey every so often so he won't get overstimulated or frustrated. And remember, don't allow your cat to play with toys on a string without supervision. Ingesting the string could cause an intestinal blockage.

Up to Bat

When cats are alone, they still have the urge to play and will happily do so with any small objects that they can get their paws on. Prevent boredom when you aren't around with some toys your cat can bat around.
Toys come in all shapes and sizes, so get a few to see which ones your kitty prefers. Toys should be about the size of a ping pong ball – small enough for your cat to grab with their mouth and large enough that they will not swallow the toy. You might even want to consider toys with bells inside. Noise-making toys will keep your cat's attention as they bat it around, encouraging further play.

Wrestling Match

Cats enjoy wrestling with their toys, just as they would if they were to catch a prey animal or play with another cat. Rather than allowing your cat to grab at your hands or feet, offer him something acceptable like a stuffed cat toy for him to grab and kick at with his back feet. Choose something that is almost as big as your cat so he can use it as his wrestling "partner." Look for toys that are filled with catnip, or spray toys with catnip oils, to help encourage your cat to lick and kick at the toy.

The Kitty Climb

Cats have a natural instinct to climb up vertical surfaces, according to Pam Johnson-Bennett of the Cat Behavior Associates in Nashville, Tennessee. Consider installing carpeted shelves for your cat to climb. Or, place tall cat condos in areas near windows where your cat can watch birds or simply enjoy the view. You can also create an obstacle course for your cat to run through, using things like cat tunnels, paper bags, boxes and other small items for him to jump over, into or through. Lead him through the course with a laser pointer so that he can get the hang of what to do.

The Treat Hunt

Bring out your cat's inner predator by making hunting for his food part of his daily play. Purchase a puzzle feeder that you can fill with your cat's favorite treats or a food like – with a perfect mix of kibble and shredded meaty pieces – so that playtime results in a satisfying meal.
You can make a low-cost version of a puzzle feeder from a toilet paper roll. Fold in one end of the roll, fill it with kibble, fold in the other end and cut a hole in the bottom for the treats to fall out of when your cat rolls the toy around. Then, hide the feeder in one of your cat's favorite spots so he can hunt for them.

5 Most Inexpensive Pets You Can Own

How much is that doggie in the window? He costs a lot more than you might realize, even if the price to take him today seems low. While you might be able to adopt a dog from a shelter for less than $100, the ongoing costs of caring for your pet can top $2,000 per year, according to WalletHub. If you’re a cat person, you’ll a little, but not much. You can expect to spend roughly $1,320 per year on food, litter, and vet visits for your friendly feline, according to Pets Best, a pet insurance company. Dogs and cats aren’t the only expensive pets. Reptiles and amphibians seem low-maintenance but can be quite expensive because they require very specific habitats and may live a long time.
Overall, Americansnearly $63 billion every year on buying food, vet care, toys, and treats for their pets, according to figures from the American Pet Products Association. The high cost of owning a pet is a big reason why some animals end up abandoned or in shelters, a study by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals found. Pet owners surveyed reported not being able to afford medical care for their animals and difficulty finding pet-friendly housing as major reasons for giving up their pets.
Low-cost veterinary care programs, assistance with paying licensing fees, and pet food banks can help struggling pet owners keep their animals. For those who don’t yet have pets, considering the full cost of ownership before bringing Fido or Fluffy home is essential. But even if funds are tight, you may not have to give up on your dreams of pet ownership entirely. These five pets are cheaper to care for than dogs and cats, making them a good choice for animal lovers on a budget.

1. Guinea pigs

 A guinea pig between $10 and $35, according to Cost Helper, with long-haired animals or those with unique patterns costing more than others. But if you get your pet at a local animal shelter, which is where the Humane Society suggests you look, you can save money. A cage may cost between $35 and $80, and food $5 to $10 per month. Toys are another modest expense. You’ll also need to budget to cover veterinary care costs. Finally, guinea pigs are social, so you should consider adopting at least two so they can keep each other company, according to the Humane Society


2. Rats


Assuming you don’t have murophobia, a rat can make a pretty good pet. You can buy a pair of rats for $25 to $35, according to Cost Helper. (Rats are social, so you’ll want to get at least two.) They’ll need a cage that costs anywhere between $30 and $180. The Humane Society suggests buying a larger one, which may cost more. You’ll also need to invest in toys to keep your rat entertained, fresh bedding (about $7 per month), and food (about $20 for a 25-pound bag of rat pellets). Your pet rat will also need occasional vet visits, which will cost anywhere from $35 to $150, depending on the type of care they’re receiving.

3. Betta fish

 

 You can buy a single betta fish for around $5 at many pet stores. Unlike other pet fish, which might require more elaborate habitats, betta fish can live in small bowls filled with tap water, since they come to the surface to breathe. However, a larger tank with a filter and heater is a healthier environment for your fish, according to PetMD. But even if you do invest in an aquarium tank and decorations (which you need, since bettas like to hide), they are still a very affordable pet. Just don’t try to put two male bettas in the same tank: They’re called Siamese fighting fish for a reason.


4. Sea Monkeys


 When it comes to foolproof pets, you can’t do much better than sea monkeys. The tiny creatures are an artificial breed of brine shrimp invented in the 1950s, according to Live Science. For years, these inexpensive pets were sold to kids via ads in books, and though the actual sea monkeys don’t look anything like the weird characters on the box, they do come to life when you add them to water. A Sea Monkey kit, which includes a tank and food, costs about $10 to $15.

5. Hermit crabs

 

  You can purchase hermit crabs for under $10 at pet stores and gift shops, making them one of the most inexpensive pets you can buy. Plus, these popular crustaceans don’t require a ton of space and are easy to take care of, making them an affordable pet choice.
Low maintenance doesn’t mean no maintenance, though. To properly care for your hermit crab, you’ll need an aquarium, plenty of sand (hermit crabs need to burrow when they molt), and extra shells for your pet to move into as he grows. Food should cost $3 to $6 per month, according to Cost Helper. Hermit crabs are also social, so you should plan on buying at least three so they can keep each other company, according to Petco.

Tips for anxious pets during fireworks


the holiday weekend can cause your pets anxiety and stress because of the loud noises from the fireworks.
Fireworks can also be dangerous to the physical well being of your furry friend.
Ruth Thompson says, "Last year we had a dog literally jump out of a window, right through the glass."
Although appealing to the eye, fireworks can be tough on the ears, especially for dogs.
Thompson says, "It's just the noise, the commotion, the excitement, the kind of stuff sends some of those dogs... It's like sensory overload. So we will see more dogs coming in over the weekend from the fireworks."
Thompson says to keep your dog inside if you choose to set off your own fireworks.
She says the hot embers can be dangerous to the pad on their paws.
Erie resident Jim Carver says his dog, Ida, does not like loud noises that come with this time of the year.
Carver says, "She hears fireworks, or even like thunder, she'll leave from the living room where we're all sitting and go into the middle bedroom and then lay down on the floor kind of hiding."
The ANNA Shelter says there are tools to help keep your animal calm during loud noises like fireworks.
Thompson says, "There are things like thunder shirts, there's ace bandage wraps, things that keep the dog cozy and feeling safe. If that doesn't work, a crate or a kennel. If you can be home with them, that's usually the best thing to relieve anxiety. But if you want to go out and enjoy the fireworks, definitely a crate and the quietest place in your house is probably the best bet."
Carver says, "I'll go in there and pet her a few times but we heard about that blanket or that wrap around now, so we're thinking about maybe going and checking to see if it works or not."
Thompson says even though noise is the most common problem with pets on the Fourth of July, she says it's important also to remember to throw away any remains of fireworks for your pet when they go outside.
Thompson says, "Kind of the way I look at it is if it's not good for your child, it's probably not good for your pet as well."
Thompson says cats aren't usually as bothered by the noises or find better hiding places that are more quiet.

What Does Your Dog Dream About? Probably You, Expert Says


In a recent interview with People, Dr. Deirdre Barrett, Clinical and Evolutionary Psychologist at Harvard Medical School, answered some questions on the topic of animal dreams. It turns out that many mammals have similar sleeps cycles to humans, meaning they do likely have dreams. But Dr. Barrett’s answer to the question of what dogs experience when they dream has the internet in tears.

Source: http://dogtime.com/trending/45039-dog-dream-probably-expert-says 

He Was Shot, Tied To A Bridge And His Mouth Was Taped Shut...But He Refuses To Give Up

The Pup Was On The Brink Of Death

Bear, a Labrador mix, was found tied to an old bridge and almost dead on April 20. He had been shot, his mouth was taped and his leash was so tightly tied to the bridge, his paws barely touched the ground.

 


Transferred To The University Of Illinois

Mark Gillespie made the horrible find while walkiing his own dog. He called 911 for help and they were just as horrified as he was when they arrived. The pup was immediately taken to a local facility for urgent care, and once donations to a GoFundMe campaign started rolling in, they were able to transfer him to the veterinary clinic at University of Illinois for special treatment.


Go Fund Me Update

"We talked to the specialists today and they decided that Bear's jaw is broken in so many places that a surgery will not be able to fix it, but the good news is that if we give him time it may heal on its own. His jaw will never be back to how it was before and he might never be able to eat hard dog food again but he should be able to heal and enjoy wet dog food. Bear will need a feeding tube in the mean time to allow his mouth to heal and he will also be having work done to a hole in his leg most likely due to a previous injury. His thyroid levels were so low this afternoon he was not able to have surgery but he has started medication to get those levels back to normal so they can get the procedure done as soon as they can. Bear does liven up a little when he gets to go outside so he is showing small improvements everyday. Again thank you to everyone for all of your support Bear and I really appreciate it."
Fortunately for Bear, many people have offered to adopt him as soon as he leaves the clinic.



Man Who Never Learned to Swim Heroically Rescues Dog Drowning in River


A man in India came across a dog drowning in a river. Being a kind soul, he wanted to help, but didn’t know how to swim. Instead of walking away or trying to go get help, as time was of the essence, he thought outside the box, and used his turban to pull the dog out of the river.

The man’s name is Sarwan Singh, and it was while he was driving along the river in Punjab that he came across the drowning dog. The poor creature was trying desperately to stay afloat in the water, but Singh could tell that the dog was getting tired. There were other people in the area, just staring at the dog and doing nothing in the way of assisting. Singh knew that if he didn’t do something, then the dog would surely die, and that’s something he simply couldn’t bear to stand by and watch.

There was only one thing that hindered Singh’s rescue efforts, and that was the fact that he didn’t know how to swim. The 28-year-old man had never really done it before, so it’s understandable he’d be trepidatious about simply diving into the river. He then thought to himself that he could get into the water just a bit, and toss his turban the rest of the way out to the dog.

The dog then grabbed the piece of cloth with it’s mouth. Singh was then able to pull the dog over to him. Once he could grab the dog, he got the both of them out of the river and onto dry land.“The moment I started taking off my turban, people watching around were shocked,” Singh said. “They thought I was disrespecting my faith, but what was important at that point was to save the animal’s life.”

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