Posts Tagged ‘Should’

Some Of The Reasons Why You Should Consider Having Fish As Pets

It’s common for children to beg their parents for a pet. When most people think of pets, they think of dogs or cats and mice or hamsters. They may overlook some the greatest pets to own; fish.

Few things are as mesmerizing as watching brightly colored fish swim around their aquariums. Their vivid colors seem to glow under the aquarium lights and they continuously swim and circle around their own little environments. You can buy accessories for your aquarium that make it look like a tiny underwater paradise. There are beautifully colored rocks and gravel that you can adorn the bottom of the tank with, as well as little statues of mermaids or the ever popular treasure chest that seems filled with gems and pearls.

You don’t have to stick with one type of fish but instead can enjoy a variety all in one tank. Some people add snails and even frogs to their fish tanks creating a both an entertaining and educational environment. Because fish are always in motion, they are never boring to watch. You can watch them chase each other around the tank almost as if they were playing a game of underwater tag. Children can watch them as they interact and get a lesson in science that’s better than any undersea documentary on television while being much more enjoyable to watch.

There is also a lot of ease that comes with caring for fish. Unlike dogs that have to be walked and constantly entertained, your fish get their own exercise without any help from you. There’s no annoying fur that has to be vacuumed from the floor and furniture and you don’t have to worry about having the dreaded pet odor permeate your home.

They only need to be fed twice a day and if you have to go out of town you can get automatic feeders. You won’t have to go through the trouble and expense of finding a kennel for the dog or someone to come and feed the cat.

The important thing to remember is to make sure that the tank is outfitted properly. Fish need oxygen just like mammals do so you should put some plants in the tank that are designed for underwater living. Make sure that you install a light in the tank so that the plants can flourish. You will also need to have a thermometer to make sure that the temperature remains at a healthy level and a filter to keep the water free of toxins. It’s also important to clean the tank on a regular basis. When filling your fish tank you should use distilled water. Don’t dismay if your fish becomes ill. Talk to your vet about it but usually just raising the temperature of the water that it’s in will help the fish to become healthy again.

Should You Get a Dog?

Should I Get a Dog?

Dogs are one of the most popular pets in the world. They have enjoyed this status for a very long time, probably from the time 10,000 to 15,000 years ago when Stone Age cave dwellers lived and hunted with dogs.

If you think you want a dog, you’re following a well-established tradition.

Why You Might Want a Dog

There are a number of reasons that people think they might want a dog for a pet. The most universal is the desire for the companionship of an animal who will be a loyal friend for many years. Others think it would be nice to have a watchdog to guard the house, and some people are interested in participating in dog shows, agility trials or other organized activities.

If you’re thinking about getting a dog, it’s important to determine if you can care for him properly. Dogs need several things from a pet parent:

Time

Commitment

Attention

For your dog to stay healthy, he will need to be fed correctly, exercised sufficiently, groomed regularly and taken to the vet for regular checkups and shots. If you want your dog to be well-mannered and a pleasure to be around, you will have to make sure he is thoroughly socialized and trained, which requires spending many hours with him. Dogs also need set schedules so they know when they’ll be fed and when they’ll be let out.

If you’re a very busy person who works long hours and travels a lot, dog ownership may not be for you.

Things to Consider Before You Buy a Dog

Owning a dog can be one of the most rewarding experiences you can have, but before you even begin to think about what kind of dog you might want, you need to ask yourself some serious questions about how well your lifestyle will suit any dog.

Many people fall in love with a cute puppy at a pet store and bring it home only to face a brutal truth. That cute puppy will have to be taken out to relieve himself first thing in the morning. Every single morning. Even weekend mornings. Even if it’s raining or snowing or 100 degrees in the shade. And he’ll have to go out more than once a day, sometimes several times more than once, especially when he’s young.

That’s just the start. Here are some other things to seriously consider before plunging into dog ownership:

Allergies

A bad allergic reaction to dogs in a member of your family can result in your having to find a new home for the dog–a sad experience for everyone. Some individuals are severely allergic and can’t even live in a house where a dog has lived. Others are much less bothered and can make adjustments so that they can live comfortably with a pet. An allergy may be to the dog’s saliva, hair or dander. Not all dogs cause the same allergic reaction. Certain breeds are known to be less allergenic because they shed very little or not at all. These include the Chinese crested, which has no hair, and breeds, which can range in size, such as a Basenji, Bichon Frise, and a Standard Poodle.

What Do You Want in a Dog?

Is your main concern to have a house pet who will be a good companion? Do you want an athletic dog who can go with you when you run? Will you take your dog on camping trips and will he have to be big enough to carry his own food? Do you want a dog that can be a credible watchdog and guardian? Do you want to show the dog? Do you want to participate in agility, obedience or field trials? You will want to study the different breeds and then talk to breeders and members of local dog clubs to find out what characteristics will best fit your expectations.

Can Your Children Adjust?

Children love puppies, but both children and puppies need supervision. Kids can play too rough with a puppy, and a young child will not understand that the puppy is tired and needs to rest. A puppy who is hurt or tired of playing is likely to growl and snap, and sometimes bite, to get the child to leave him alone. An older dog can be a serious threat if he is not used to children. There is one rule NEVER to be broken: Babies and toddlers should never be left unsupervised with a dog, no matter how much you trust the dog.

Can Your Other Pets Adjust?

If you already have pets, you will need to consider how the dog will adjust to them and they to him. If you have cats that have never been around a dog, you may have a long period of adjustment or the combination may not work at all. Puppies will usually learn to live with cats if care is taken that the initial meeting is not too traumatic. If you are considering an older dog, try to find out how he has previously reacted to other pets.

How Much Space Do You Have for a Dog?

This is an important consideration. A large, active dog, such as a retriever or German shepherd can run and play in a large, fenced-in yard. Often, though, the dog doesn’t do much playing if you aren’t available to be with him, and he will simply lounge around on the grass just as he would if he were inside on his dog bed. Large dogs can be happy even in an apartment if they get a long walk or two every day.

Housing

Unless you live in the country and spend a great deal of time outside with your dog, he will not be happy as a strictly outdoor dog. Outside should be for playing and exercising. A dog should never be left outdoors in hot weather without shade and water or in cold weather without well-insulated shelter. If your dog spends much time outside, he will need a fenced-in yard or a large kennel.

Can You Afford a Dog?

Your dog will have to be fed and groomed and provided with toys and treats. You may want to take him to obedience classes. If you travel occasionally on business or you’re going on trips and can’t take your dog, you will need to arrange to board him or to hire a dog sitter who will take care of him in your home.

Veterinary Care

Your dog will need regular veterinary checkups, which will include vaccinations, worming and flea and tick prevention. A medical emergency can cost several hundred dollars. As your dog ages, he may develop chronic health conditions that require regular visits to the vet. Veterinary charges vary from city to city. If you have not owned a pet before, you might want to call to see what the rates are in your area.

Grooming

If you don’t have time to groom your dog, don’t have the facilities to give him a bath conveniently, or if he requires special grooming, you will need to pay for a professional groomer. You will also need brushes and combs for maintenance.

Licensing

Dogs are required to be licensed. Fees are set by the county or the city and vary widely. To find out about licensing, call your county animal control office. Your vet and the local animal shelter will also know where you should go to purchase a license.

Exercise and Companionship – Do You Have Time?

Some dogs need only a short walk once or twice a day, while others are built to run all day. Be honest when you consider what level of regular exercise will be comfortable for you. If you have a heavy work schedule, taking the dog for a walk in the evening may be a burden rather than a pleasure. An active dog who only gets real exercise on weekends and holidays is likely to be unhappy, not to mention bored and destructive. In addition to exercise, your dog needs time with you. If you have a full work schedule and a busy social life, your dog is likely to be lonely, bored and destructive.

Size and Energy Level of the Dog

Before you even think about getting a young, highly energetic dog, such as a golden retriever, you need to ask yourself if you are strong enough to control and exercise a dog that will want to run and play and that could easily knock you down by accident. Don’t buy a puppy that will turn into a 150-pound athlete if your energy level is more attuned to a stroll with a toy poodle.

Is Your Lifestyle Stable?

One common reason that dogs are given up to animal shelters is that the owner has had to move, and the new living quarters don’t allow pets. Or the owner has married, and the new spouse doesn’t like dogs. Are you likely to move frequently? Is your family life stable? Does your job require you to travel often or for long periods of time?

Puppy or Older Dog?

Most people automatically think about puppies when they think about getting a dog. While puppies are cute and fun, there are benefits in getting an older dog. It’s much easier to housetrain an older dog. Puppies don’t physically have the capacity for holding their urine for long period of time and must be taken out frequently. You will not have to wait for an older dog to grow up to see what size he will be or what kind of temperament he will have, and if you get your dog from an animal shelter or a rescue organization, you will probably be saving his life.

The First Steps

If after having read all this, you still want a dog, congratulations! You’re probably eager to take the first step, and you want to dash out to the pet store, or the breeder, or the shelter, or the rescue organization, but don’t rush out and pick up a dog just yet. It’s important that you take the time to read as much as you can about selecting, introducing and keeping a dog. Browse through the other articles on our web site. Check books out of the public library or visit a bookstore.

Consider what kind of dog you want. Do you want a purebred dog or a mix? Do you want a male or a female? Do you want a puppy or an older dog? Talk to other dog owners that you know. Where did they get their dogs and what was their experience? Where do you want to look for the perfect choice?

Once you decide to get a dog, choose an occasion to bring him home when you and your family will have time to give him plenty of attention; bringing him home at the start of a long weekend or a vacation, when you will have more time to spend at home with him, will definitely make the transition to his new home easier for him as well as his new family. Prepare for his arrival. You’ll need to know what to expect and how to care for him when he first comes into your life.

If you have carefully chosen your new canine friend and properly prepared for him, bringing him home can be one of the most joyful experiences of your life. He will become part of your family and will love you without reservation. Return his love, and he will really be your best friend.

Why You Should Get A Webcam

Web cameras are everywhere now. If you have been on line at all in the past few years, then you have encountered a web camera in some form or another. They range from the mini to video camera size. Web cameras do have value, and are something that you should consider purchasing and setting up. Web cameras often get undo reputations as tools only for the unseemly, but there are far more family friendly reasons for using the web camera than other types of cameras. Though there are many more, here are five reasons to get a web camera for yourself.

First of all, a web camera, set up properly, can be practical. For instance, what if you decide to go out of town for a week or two? You have a number of house plants that you want to keep an eye on, or perhaps even a fish or a pet hamster. By setting up a web camera, you would be able, no matter where you are, to check in on them via a quick trip on line. If the plants look a little droopy, or the automatic fish feeder isn’t working, a quick phone call to a neighbor or friend would be perfect.

A second reason to think about a web camera is for peace of mind. If you work during the day and hire a babysitter, maybe you want to check in during the day, but you can’t just take off from work. Let the sitter know you are setting up a web camera not necessarily because you don’t trust him or her, but because you want to be able to see your baby during the day (and because you do want to make sure the babysitter is doing a good job). You can simply take a quick minute or two at work, log on, and see your child.

Third, maybe you leave your dog or other pet in the back yard during the day while you are at work and the kids are at school. You probably wonder what he does back there all day, or what kind of trouble he gets into during the day. Set up your new web camera to look at part of the back yard. If the dog is digging or getting into something he shouldn’t, you can take care of the problem.

Fourth and this is especially for those who live farther away from family, it is a good way for families to stay close. Grandparents can see their grandbaby napping or playing in her swing. Children can show their aunts and uncles their school project. Even great grand parents, who may not be able to travel, can see the newest addition to the family, a report card, or the great grandchild’s first steps across the living room. Magic moments caught from a distance are, alone, a great reason to think about a web camera.

A fifth reason to consider a web camera is that the sum of the practical reasons, sentimental reasons, and fun reasons to own one all add up to a value well above the financial cost. A web camera can be had for around $30, and with being able to show off the new baby, children’s artwork from school, check on the baby sitter, watch the dog, keep an eye on pets and plants while on vacation, and being able to say “hi” while face to face with a distant friend or far off relative is worth it. Hooking up the camera is easy, and the joy on the faces of relatives or catching that fern before is wilts completely are worth those few dollars and few minutes.

Perhaps you are concerned about having to set up a website to be able to put the images somewhere for people to see. Well, you can certainly do that if you have the expertise, but most of us don’t have the know-how for that. So, when purchasing your web camera, pay attention to what is offered. Because now, several companies are offering buyers a free place to upload the images. This space and the easy instructions will save you the trouble of having to set up and maintain a web server or even a hosted website.