How to Choose the Right Dog Carrier for You and Your Dog
There is an ever growing assortment of dog carriers on the market today. People continue to look for smaller dogs to add to their home and families. Consequently, the demand for dog carriers is higher than ever.
How do you decide which carrier to choose from the growing assortment? What size is your dog? What is your budget? What is your particular or unique style? Once you answer those questions you are well on your way to finding the perfect dog carrier for you and your dog. The smaller dogs are best transported in dog carriers.
When you have a dog that weighs 15 pounds or more it will difficult to carry that dog in an over the shoulder carrier. You might opt for a suitcase style carrier in this case.
If your dog weighs over 9 pounds, you might as well forget about a fashion carrier. You will need a practical carrier. The dog world of fashion does cater to the smaller teacup breeds. These are dogs anywhere from 2 to 7 pounds in weight. If your dog fits this category you will have a wider array of choices and fashion styles.
Whatever you do, don't buy a carrier that is too large for your dog. You want a carrier that your dog can snuggle and stretch in comfortably. Place a soft blanket or piece of soft fleece material and your dog's favorite toy in the carrier.
Your budget will determine what type and how many carriers you can buy. Top of the line dog carriers are made of luxurious leather. Some of these carriers look as good as your own luxurious leather handbag. They can resemble your own handbag so well in fact that you can pretty well go anywhere with your dog undetected, which is becoming more and more appealing for dog owners who do not like to leave their dogs behind even when they go out to eat.
The faux leathers and designer fabrics are also very popular. These are not necessarily cheaper, however. The materials offer consumers a greater variety in design and colors.
Be sure the carrier you purchase has the following:
1. A safety snaps to clip onto your dog's collar to prevent your dog from jumping out.
2. Adequate ventilation at both ends of the carrier at least, preferably also at the top of the dog carrier.
3. A comfortable and easy clean interior.
4. Storage pockets for treats and other necessities is a nice extra feature.
Connie Limon is a Shih Tzu breeder. She offers Designer Dog Clothes at: http://www.littleguysdogclothesshop.com
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A treat for your cat : nothing is better for your mutual friendship !
Copyright 2006 Marc Deschamps
As part of a balanced diet, a treat for your cat is complementary to regular meals. Serve a treat that is both nutritious and will enhance his good health. It is also a good way to help you build a solid relationship with your cat or kitten. As you are playing with your cat, you may introduce a trat for your cat, as a reward, if he finds you while playing hide-and-seek for example. And with patience, you may even teach him a few tricks and develop certain abilities you did not even dream of.
The most common treat for your cat includes a variety of bite size shape foods. Dry or moist, chicken, seafoods, fish, cheeze, meat filledor flavored are readily available on the market. Several companies will even deliver to your door.
Age and health condition are useful references in choosing a cat treat for your animal friend. Prefer a treat for your feline friend that will not have preservatives, artificial colouring and artificial flavour. A treat will help stimulate the appetite of an older cat or develop new tastes for your younger cat or kitten.
Here are some hints in choosing a treat for your cat:
For kittens, remember to moisten their food with warm water. That is until they reach the age of 8 to 9 weeks when their teeth are strong enough to bite into the harder treats. A high protein treat with a very little bit of crunch is recommended for this age group.
A treat for your cat at adult age (6 to 8 years old depending on species) still includes a high protein variety of foods and is very popular. Avoiding sugars, dyes and second grade meats are suggested. Hairball formulas may be of some help for those long-haired cats.
Treats for mature and older cats have to be chosen depending on different health problems they may have been showing in the recent years.This is when you have to pay particular attention to the food content of the treat for your cat. You may want to serve easy-to-digest formula treats, low calories, high fiber content ones. Softer textures can be of interest for your older cat who has teeth and gum problems. You should also include urinary track healthy products, ones to prevent tartar build up, breath freshnening, cleaning teeth agent formulas. No matter what health problem your cat may suffer from, there is always a treat for your cat that will have a soothing effect to help him live alonger, better quality life.
From his early age, it is important to vary your cat`s menu. This will help him adapt to many stressful situations he has to face with or withoutyou. But a treat for your cat is not intended to replace his regular meals. I would call it a deserved snack. Is is part of a fun time, a playing time and sometimes a learning experience for you and your cat.
And remember quality will always be better than quantity !!
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Marc Deschamps is the editor of Kitten Cat Magazine, a free online publication, where people can share their passion for cats and learn more about this extraordinary animal. Other articles on cat food can be found at http://www.kitten-cat-magazine.com/premium-cat-food.html
The Story of the Shih Tzu
The Story of the Shih Tzu
Far away in Tibet, a country with a recorded history going back almost 1,500 years is where our Shih Tzu began. The country was noted for its devotion to Buddhism.
Some of the tallest mountains in the world edge the country of Tibet. Winters in Tibet are severe with temperatures to 14 degrees F in December. The winds in Tibet are strong and biting with hard frosts. Snowfall is light. In the summer, daylight temperatures reach a maximum of 75 degrees F with a sharp drop in temperature at night. Throughout most of the year there is sunshine and the air is dry and pure.
The people of this remote and rather mysterious land of Tibet were like so many other cultures in our world. They kept dogs in a domestic environment. There were large dogs used for guarding and small, shaggy dogs used as companions and as watch-dogs to alert the larger dogs. These small dogs were the ancestors of our Shih Tzu. The history of the Shih Tzu, however, is steeped in myth and legends, which makes it difficult to sort the true facts of our Shih Tzu.
One tale in particular, which I find interesting, is that of the small Lion Dogs were trained to turn the prayer wheels as part of the daily ritual in the monasteries. There was a belief that those monks whose life had been less than exemplary, would in accordance with the Buddhist theory of reincarnation, be reborn as one of the temple dogs.
Buddhism in Tibet recognized a large number of divine beings. Each being symbolized an aspect of life. One was Buddha Manjusri, the God of Learning. The God of Learning was said to travel with a small Lion Dog (ancestor to our Shih Tzu) that could turn into a full-sized lion and carry him vast distances on his back.
Oddly enough, there were no actual lions in Tibet, only artistic works of the animal, which were often somewhat fantastical. We cannot be sure whether the Lion Dogs were bred to resemble the drawings and statues of the symbolic lions or if the artists created their 'lions' in the likeness of the little dogs (ancestors to our Shih Tzu).
The snow lion was called Gang Seng and was considered to be so powerful that he could cause seven dragons to fall out of the sky with one roar. The symbolic lion was believed to have the ability to walk in the clouds. He could also speak with the voice of truth and fearlessness.
Tibet was a difficult place to get to. China was a neighbor to Tibet. Gifts from Tibet to China were sent as tribute to the Chinese emperors, among which were Tibetan Lion Dogs (ancestor to our Shih Tzu).
These little dogs traveled with the caravans on long journeys from one country to the other. A small army of eunuchs took care of the little dogs. The little Tibetan Lion Dogs (ancestors to our Shih Tzu) adapted well as they have continued to do wherever they have gone to live through the centuries.
In China, everything must have been very different from Tibet. The summers in Peking were warm and humid with a lot of rain. The winters were very cold, somewhat like Tibet, with temperatures as low as 0 degrees F in January. It is recorded that the little Tibetan Lion Dogs settled in and became great favorites of the Manchu emperors.
Most likely they were interbred with the short-faced Chinese breeds – the Chinese Pug and the Pekinese, which is probably what gives the Shih Tzu the characteristics that differentiate them from the Tibetan Lion Dogs that later became the Lhasa Apsos.
Connie Limon is a Shih Tzu breeder. She publishes a FREE weekly newsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you and your pets. Designer dog clothes are offered on the website. Discounts are offered to subscribers. Sign up at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com
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