MW and Meet Mason

Happy Monday, guess what? Sam and I got a dog. His name is Mason, and we found him through Doberman Rescue of Minnesota . He is the sweetest, silliest little (well 90 lbs) guy, and we are absolutely in love. I never would've imagined that a dog could...

Possible biological trigger for canine bone cancer found

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) have identified the biological mechanism that may give some cancer cells the ability to form tumors in dogs. The recent study uncovered an association between the...

Shih Tzu Video: Meet My New Puppy, Junior (9 weeks old Shih Tzu)

THUMBS UP FOR JUNIOR and if you'd like me to post more video about him and how I train him thank you for watching! MAIN CHANNEL: http://www.youtube.com/ThatsHeart INSTAGRAM: ThatsHeart TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/HEARTDEFENSOR --> Click Here to Learn...

What You Can Do to Help Feral Cats Fare Well Through Winter

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/what-you-can-do-to-help-feral-cats-fare-well-through-winter/

Can Your Dog Tell When You're Lying?

Us humans think we're so clever with that fake toss of the ball; but watch out, your dog might be onto you. A new study found that dogs aren't likely to follow cues from untrustworthy humans. Dogs Are Able Read Our Gestures and Cues Our domestication...

Adopting a Breed Specific Dog or Cat

What kind of purebred dog or cat do you want? Don't exactly know then go to the library and check out books on purebred dogs and cats and read about their characteristics and traits.
Go to some pet shows. Talk to the breeders there about what their kind of dogs are like. Almost any puppy or kitten is adorable. But how big will they get? What kind of personality traits will they have. If you are an older person you might want to choose a pet that is older too. Puppies and kittens take a lot of energy.

It may come as a surprise, but you don't have to go through a breeder to find the perfect purebred dog. If you have your heart set on a specific breed, there are dog rescues waiting to match you with your ideal companion. You can help a rescued dog find a forever home and get the dog or cat you have dreamt you want.

why dogs end up in breed-specific rescues:
There is this myth that getting a dog or cat from a breed specific rescue you get a less desirable dog or cat.

• Dogs and cats end up in a dog specific rescue because the owner did not research enough before getting that dog or cat. The dog or cat is too intergenic, the dog does not mesh with the owners personality or lifestyle. They did not think about the large effect in time and energy it takes to raise a dog.
  
• Other reasons might be the death of an owner, divorce, leaving the country, a new job, having to move where they cannot have a dog or cat.
  
• Dogs and cats end up in a breed specific rescue when puppy or kitty mills are shut down.
  
• 
  

• And many times they are well-loved dogs whose owners had to give them up because of life changes, like moving, divorce, a new job or leaving the country.
  
• Public shelters often send the pure bred dogs and cats they get to breed specific shelters so they have more room to find homes for mixed breeds.
  

Breeders sometimes have puppies or kittens that do not meet their standards as show dogs. They sometimes give these pet quality they are called to breed specific rescues. If you adopt from a breed-specfic shelter expect to jump through a lot of hoops and tell them a lot about yourself. They are going to know all about you.

• How active are you?
  
• What kind of health problems do you have?
  
• What kind of home do you live in? They may even want to visit your home.
  
• They will want to know that you can support a dog or cat and that you can and will get them health care.
  
• They are going to want to know who else lives in your home.
  
• They will also want to know if you have kids or other pets.
  

They have put a great deal of love and money into this pet and they want to know that you will be the right forever home for this pet.

So if a breed specific dog rescue is telling you that their breed is not right for you listen to them. Don't end up with say a border collie that needs several hours of running every day if you are a senior citzen. This dog belongs with a young runner who will match his/her energy.
The Right Cat for You
Cats had only one function throughout the centuries: vermin control. Only in the last one hundred years has selective breeding caught on — synonymous with the rise of the cat as a companion. Most purebred cats fall into one of the following three groupings based on physical characteristics:

• The natural breeds — American and British shorthairs, Persians, Maine coon cats were developed in cold climates. They have long, thick coats; heavy, cobby (square) bodies, and are the most sedate group in terms of energy level.
  
• The semi-foreigns — Russian blues, Abyssinians, ocicats are an in-between group whose body shapes are leaner and more muscular than the natural breeds. They have slightly oval eyes and their heads are moderately wedge-shaped. Their activity level is usually moderate with some high-energy exceptions like the Abyssinian.
  
• The Orientals — Siamese, Burmese, Cornish rexes originated in warmer climes; they carry little body fat and lighter coats. Almost everything about them is elongated — legs, tails, ears and bodies — to allow more surface area for efficient cooling. These cats are the most active and talkative.
  
  
• Know all you can about the breed you are going to adopt. Then think in terms of your life style how do they match. Older cats rule. They are usually house broke. They have manners. They do not take the care that kittens do as kittens must be trained. They are babies and in so much must be protected like babies.

Just do your research and know what you want. You may decide after researching you want to help these dogs and cats in a different way. By supporting them financially, by giving them a foster home, by writing articles of how to adopt. Volunteering in a shelter. The ways are endless to helping Shelter animals not everyone can be a shelter parent but everyone can help a shelter 
pet. 

1.  Webster's Third New International Dictionary of the English Language, Unabridged, The Merriam-Webster Editorial Staff, Springfield, MA U.S.A.: G&C Merriam Company, 1967, p. 274, A breed is a group of domestic animals related through common ancestors and visiblily similar in most characteristics, having been differentiated from others by human influence; a distinctive group of domesticated animals differentiated from the wild type under the influence of man, the sum of the progeny of aknown and designated foundation stock without admixture of other blood.

1. Jump up

1. ^ Coppinger, Raymond; Coppinger, Lorna (2001), Dogs, A New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior & Evolution, New York: Scribner, p. 138, ISBN 0-684-85530-5

1. Jump up

1. ^ Online Etymology Dictionary, Purebred, retrieved 2 April 2014

1. Jump up

1. ^ Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Purebred, retrieved 2 April 2014

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1. ^ various authors, Canine Genetic Diseases Network, Columbia, Missouri, USA: University of Missouri-Columbia College of Veterinary Medicine, retrieved 20 May 2008

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1. ^ For example, most border collies today (whether used for herding or for showing) are related to a sire named Winston Cap

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1. ^ Jack Russell Terrier Club of America, Glossary, retrieved 20 May 2008

1. Jump up

1. ^ Jack Russell Terrier Club of America, Jack Russell Terrier Club of America Code of Ethics, retrieved 20 May 2008 "A terrier will be rejected for registration if the inbreeding coefficient is more than 16%"

Judi Singleton is the owner Operator of Bejewelu.com where you can dress the whole family for less

How to Reduce Dog Shedding

Dog shedding is a persistent drawback encountered by many canines. This is a daily affair for a lot of breeds however one has to maintain a monitor on the general frequency and quantity of hair that's often shed with a purpose to gauge whether or not...

Adopt a Shelter Dog and Loose Weight Save Both Your Lives.

There are thousands of diet pills out there, miracle diets to help you lose weight. There are gyms with personal trainers that will only charge you about $50. a month to belong and another $50. for a trainer But do they work?

Here is one more idea of losing weight. If you have a dog include him/her in your exercise routine. If you don't have a dog adopt one that is right for your energy level and include him/her into your exercise routine. If you just can't adopt a dog then you could volunteer at a shelter and walk dogs say three times a week for an hour. Or offer a service free for seniors to walk their dogs.

Set a daily routine with your dog. Try to walk or run at the same time each day. Mornings are best because walks at this time help to burn energy your dog built up during the night. It’s also best for the human. The more you walk with your dog, the more your dog will expect it. On those days when you don’t feel like getting off the couch your dog will remind you it is time to go out by pulling, pushing at you, whining, barking, going and getting his leash. Let this be a gentle reminder you both need your exercise. Most dogs need to be walked to potty at least three to four times a day. So set this in interval of how far you will walk each day and increase it each week. At first you may only be able to walk two or three blocks after a month more like a mile.
Also when feeding your dog remember they need to eat less just like you do so incorporate new eating habits for the dog as well as yourself.

Walking your dog and you may see weight loss that rivals what you could achieve through a gym. Walking the dog 20 minutes a day, 5 days a week produced an average weight loss of 14 pounds for participants in a University Missouri Columbia study.

Walking at a moderate pace for 30-60 minutes burns stored fat and can build muscle to speed up your metabolism. Walking an hour a day is also associated with cutting your risk of heart disease breast cancer. Colon cancer, diabettes and stroke. disease, breast cancer, colon cancer, diabetes and stroke. Isn't it time to work up to an hour a day of walking to avoid all of the above?

Having trouble sticking to an exercise program? If you were to pick a personal trainer you could not pick one better than your dog. He/she will always show up in all kinds of weather. Will be enthusastic, filled with energy, and motivating to you. That is more than you can say for your human friends who have to skip because of an appointment, to much to do, don't want to go out in bad weather. Your dog will always show up and be happy to go.
Yet, the support network of having a person or a dog to walk with makes it easier to stick with healthy habits. What’s really important is that you’re getting out of the house and burning calories doing something you enjoy. I incorporate walking the dog (who is borrowed by the way) with picking up driftwood along the river or lake which I live close to, so walk there often.

As a hobby, I make windchimes. I use the driftwood to hang them from. So I am accomplishing something while I walk. I also take my camera and get some great shots every time we go out. 

Training your new Shelter Adopted Dog or Retraining and Trust.

So you want to adopt a shelte dog. Building trust. 1. When you bring your new dog home show them aound your whole house. Even the bathrooms, garage and outdoor areas. Introduce them to the other pets in the home not all at once but a little at a time. 2. Dogs are pack animals and they will accept you as their alpha if you are smarter than they are and if you have good boundaries. Like most people, children especially they tend to trust people who trust themselves. Dogs like routine. They like to know what to expect of you and what you expect of them. They basically usually want to please you. There are those times when dog and owner are just never going to click. Why do we just not get along with some people well the same goes for some dogs. Why do we not get along with some dogs? 3. Spending time with your new dog is essential. You can't have a human relationship or a animal bond with you if you do not spend the time. One of the things you are learning while spending time with this dog is how she/he speaks to you. For example I adopted two really wild young huskies. They were about three and four years old. They had been picked up by the pound together. They had on matching collors and parts of a run they had been tethered on. The first thing these dogs did was I took them to the park to walk them because I was going to have to go back to work and they would have to be in their crates. So they dragged me through the park I lost them in someone back yard and I thought probably forever but no I went to leave after searching for them for an hour and they came running and jumped in their crates. 4. I had a feeling these dogs had been shown as they were really beautiful specimans of Alaskan Malamutes and Siberian Husky. Malmutes are still in use as sled dogs for personal travel, hauling freight, or helping move light objects; some however are used for the recreational pursuit of sledding, also known as mushing, as well as for skijoring, bikejoring, carting, and canicross. However, most Malamutes today are kept as family pets or as show or performance dogs in weight pulling, dog agility, or packing. Malamutes are generally slower in long-distance dogsled racing against smaller and faster breeds and their working usefulness is limited to freighting or traveling over long distances at a far slower rate than that required for racing. They can also help move heavy objects over shorter distances. An adult male Alaskan Malamute can pull around 0.5-1.5 tons of weight (1,000-3,000 pounds), depending on build and training. Siberian Huskies ORIGIN AND HISTORY The nomadic Chukchi tribe of extreme Northeast Asia bred dogs of this type since ancient times to pull sledges and hunt reindeer. For centuries, continuing through the 19th century, the Chukchi people were famous for their excellent long-distance sled dogs. The tribe lived in permanent inland settlements and had to travel long distances to hunt the sea mammals that fed both people and dogs. A small sled dog was ideal—one who could exist on little food. Neither sprinters nor freighters, these dogs were endurance animals who could pull light loads of killed game at moderate speeds over long distances. Then known as the Siberian Chukchi, the breed first arrived in the United States in 1909, brought across the Bering Strait from Siberia to Alaska. The dogs took to life and work there as readily as they did in their homeland. PERSONALITY PROFILE The Siberian is fun loving, friendly, gentle, alert, and outgoing. As a puppy, he is playful and mischievous; as he matures, he becomes more dignified and reserved. Still, he is not possessive, territorial, or suspicious of strangers. He was bred to live and work as part of a team, so he does not like to be alone. The Siberian gets along well with children and other dogs, but he is predatory toward smaller animals. He has a tendency to howl rather than bark. 5. Well anyway these two did not mind well but soon settled into my home. They ran off every chance they got even though they came back always. So I bought a long 25ft. horse lead and they were not allowed off it. Wherever I went I took them with me and I worked on them coming when I called with the leads and not pulling me over as they were big dogs and unruly so I had to worry about that. But by being together so much we began to get used to each other and know what the other one wanted. They trained me to their bark if they were hungry or thirsty. They had a different tone for a greeting and they would gently paw at me to show me something they wanted me to see. But they showed no sign of training. I worked with them with house training. They had a couple of accidents but mostly went to the door when they need to go potty. They just could not go out alone. So we were inseparable. Since I worked at home this was an alright arrangement for me. Realistic expectations my part for my new four legged friends part was knowing I might have to house break or rehouse break them. They chewed so I found things they could chew on bones, old hard plastic toys at the used store, raw hide chews. When they chewed what I did not want them to chew I simply quietly gave them one of the acceptable chews. Now they did chew up my gear shift in the truck and they ate a diet book I had check out from the library much to my amusment and even the libraries. We had to learn no sleeping on the furniture though I ended up getting a chair for each of them. They were allowed in those chairs only. They slept at the bottom of the bed on the floor, in a crate next to my bed, they each had their own crate. I got each of them a dog bed of their own for inside the crate. They knew how to sit, lay and no jumping but only responded to these commands as they pleased this went on for several months. Then they began to show some real friendship. The two of them and I were out filling holes in the road. We lived on 90 acres of old growth forest. I was using them to haul rock in back packs from the river and dumping the rock in the holes. They began to pick up the rocks in their mouth and place them in the holes. They seemed to enjoy this activity and I praised them for their help and they smiled big and wagged their tails. They killed rabbits whenever they were loose or squirrels. They seemed to know that it was not alright to kill the cats or my tame rabbits. They left them strickly alone. The more time we spent together I began to experiment with letting them loose which turned into disaster in several ways the first few times they ate the expensive fish food my neighbor fed his trout for the trout farm. They went down and friehtened all the picnicers at the local park next door begging for food. But as I trust them more they began to come when I called. The neighbor accussed them of chicken killing but they were in their kennel tied with a chair with hot wire all around when it happened and once he saw how responsible I was with their containment he apologized. It turned out to be a stray killing his chickens. Suddenly after about six months the dogs both started showing me their manners they sat when ask to, lied down, came to me when called, heeled, and I began to train them to haul a cart. I hooked them to old tires and they would drag them around. This was good exercise for them as well. I ran them on wheels on a sled with other trained dogs and they loved to run so that was a good thing by putting them on the inside of the team with a lead dog they ran just for the pure pleasure of running. Then one day I came home from town. I had not taken the dogs with me which was very unusual and their kennels stood open and the hot wire was down. Their locks on the kennels were gone. Someone had let them out. I looked and looked and called and I thought I could hear them but I could not see them. This went on for three or four days. Then finally I was just at the right angle in the yard I saw them 20 or 30 feet down on the river. They could not get up the bank. So I crawled down and heisted them up and they ran off. They were good and hungry after two or three days without food. Only one problem. I could not get up the bank. I had not told anyone where I was going and I was stuck just as they had been stuck on the river with no way up the bank. Well I tried everything. The river was way to fast to cross their and way to deep. Suddenly after about a half an hour I heard this barking and looked up and here were my four legged friends they bent down far enough for me to catch hold of their harness and pulled me up. They had just gone to eat and then came back for me. They had saved me. Now I could tell you so many other stories about these two one about a guy who came up to see if my landlord would consider logging. I told him that he would not and the guy came at me very threatenly. He did not touch me but raised his hand. The biggest dog Shonnie got between us and pushed the guy off the porch. He did not growl or bear his teeth he just used his size which was 120 pounds to push him off the porch, while Cheyenne went behind the guy and he stood in his way the guy fell over the dog. The guy started screaming call off your dogs. They were not hurting him but they were not letting him near me either. So after a year this was the dogs and I built this great relationship. They later ran on a sled on Mt. Hood, and on wheeels on the sand dunes at Florence, Oregon they lived with me for another five years. Then Cheyenne got out and ran in front of a truck and was killed. Shonnie died after about three years of losing Cheyenne. So if I were to give you some advise about shelter dogs I would tell you to be patient, have good boundaries and agreed upon rules. Love them and spend lots of time with them. Talk to them and listen they speak a different kind of language, sign language. Watch for what they are telling you. Trust is earned it can't be bought. Take time and you will get the most marvelous payoff their ever was, the love and trust of your four legged furry friends. Judi Singleton owns and operates bejewelu.com where you can dress the whole family for less.

Save A Shelter Pets Life and Maybe Save Yours In The Bargain

Adopt Save A Life And Improve Your Health And Well being

Adopting a Shelter Animal is a way to Save a Life not only theirs but perhaps your life. Take a look at what owning a dog can do for you. Perhaps you do not want to have to house break a puppy or train it. Adopt an older dog one that has all the training already done. Perhaps you can find one that their owner died and the family could not keep the dog. I know if you look at the pound, the Humane Society, Shelters, or Breed Specific Shelters you will find one that has their history intact and is just what you are looking for.

A pet no matter what kind can add much to your life. Studies show that pets help lower your blood pressure, lower anxiety, ease loneliness, reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, promote social interaction, encourage exercise and playfulness, and provide unconditional love and affection. 

1. Allergy Fighters
" Researcher James E. Gern, MD, a pediatrician at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
“We used to think that children growing up in a home with animals had more allergies. However, a growing number of studies have suggested that kids growing up in a home with "furred animals" -- whether it's a pet cat or dog, or on a farm and exposed to large animals -- will have less risk of allergies and asthma, he said in his recent article in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

In his recent study, Gern analyzed the blood of babies immediately after birth and one year later. He was looking for evidence of an allergic reaction, immunity changes, and for reactions to bacteria in the environment.

If a dog lived in the home, infants were less likely to show evidence of pet allergies -- 19% vs. 33%. They also were less likely to have eczema, a common allergy skin condition that causes red patches and itching. In addition, they had higher levels of some immune system chemicals -- a sign of stronger immune system activation.
"Dogs are dirty animals, and this suggests that babies who have greater exposure to dirt and allergens have a stronger immune system," Gern says.
Emotional Support
Dogs especially have evolved to become extremely receptive to humans and our behavior and emotions. While dogs are able to perceive many of the words we use, they’re even better at interpreting our tone of voice, body language, and gestures. They are able to look into our eyes and see the inner most part of our emotional state and figure out how we are feeling.

Ways Dogs Can Help You Be A Healthier Person

2. Increasing exercise. Taking a dog for a walk, somehow we will do for our furry friends what we will not do for ourselves take a walk . When the dog needs to be walked and potties we are fast to respond. Even when we know that we should exercise we do not do it always we can make an excuse. Studies have shown that dog owners are far more likely to meet their daily exercise requirements.

• Having a companion is important if you live alone, as people are social animals almost to the point of being herd animals, they are not meant to be alone. So when we add a dog or cat to our life we are not longer alone. We have another to care for love and attend to.
  

• Owning an animal is a great way to meet people. Going to the dog park watching the dogs run around and talking to other owners. On walks people with dogs often stop and talk to each other. Dogs help your interaction with others.
  
• Reducing anxiety.  The companionship of a dog can give people who are fearful a feeling of protection when accompanied by their dog. Dogs live in the day, not in the past or future, they are not worried about what might happen. Focusing on your dog can show you how to be mindful of the present and find joy there.
  

• The fact you must care for an animal will give you structure and purpose. It will get you out of bed when you are depressed or feeling blue. The animal must be cared for so you have to meet that routine of feeding, walking and grooming them.
  

• Dog, Cats, pets of all kinds provide sensory release. They help you feel connected and loved. Petting your cat or dog feels good. It can lower your blood pressure, helps your body release a relaxation hormone, and cuts down on levels of a stress hormone.
  

"Studies have shown that Alzheimer's patients have fewer anxious outbursts if there is an animal in the home," says Lynette Hart, PhD, associate professor at the University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

Good for Mind and Soul
Pet owners with AIDS are far less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets.

Like any enjoyable activity, playing with a dog can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine -- nerve transmitters that are known to have pleasurable and calming properties, he tells this Webmistress.
"People take drugs like heroin and crack cocaine to raise serotonin and dopamine, but the healthy way to do it is to pet your dog, or hug your spouse, watch sunsets, or get out of your space and into something beautiful in nature,

Heart attack patients who have pets survive longer than those without, according to several studies. Male pet owners have less sign of heart disease -- lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels -- than non-owners, researchers say.
SOURCES:

Alan Beck, ScD, director of the Center for the Human-Animal Bond at Purdue University, professor at Purdue University's College of Veterinary Medicine.
Allen R. McConnell, PhD, James and Beth Lewis professor of psychology at Miami University.
Levine, G. Circulation, May 9, 2013.
Bergroth, E. Pediatrics, August 1, 2012.
O'Haire, M. PLoS One, February 27, 2013.
Siegel, J. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, June 1990

Judi Singleton is the owner Operator of Bejewelu.com where you can dress the whole family for less

Roundup #5 - The Best Dog Articles of the Week

The animal world lost a true hero this week; Sam Simon died on Sunday. The Sam Simon Foundation is one of my favorite organizations; they save the lives of dogs to enrich the lives of people. Be sure to check them out and see all of the amazing projects...

Parvovirus In Shih Tzu Teacups

by angela n. The Shih Tzu is an AKC registered dog breed. The following article reviews the breed. The Shih Tzu breed of dogs has come from different Chinese dog breeds like the Lhasa Apso as well as Pekingese. This breed is named as teacup because they...

Want a Furry Friend then look no further Adopt a Shelter Cat.

In 2014 I roughly 64 percent of the total number of animals that entered shelters were euthanize -- approximately 2.7 million animals in just these 1,000 shelters.  This is just a small statistic because animal shelters are not required by law to keep records on how many animals they take in, how many were placed in homes or how many were euthanize. But the above statistics come from the Humane Society last year.
There are all kinds of problems with what we call shelters. They stick animals in steel cages. They are away from their owners who loved them for a lot of different reasons. They can sense that the place they are in is not safe. So friendly docile animals become aggressive because they are scared. Then they are branded incorrigible and they are put down.
Reasons animals are in shelters:

Many animals in shelters are pets whose owners can no longer care for them for a variety of reasons. This may be because their owners:

1. Are moving and cannot take their pet with them.
   
2. Have health problems
   
3. Have become incapacitated or died
   
4. Do not have time for the pet because of changes in their lifestyle, e.g.; new baby, ill family member
   
5. Have other pets who do not get along with this one
   
6. Realize they should never have gotten a pet
   
7. Their long time pet is having health problems or dying and the owner cannot deal with it.
   

A lot of times, people just do not realize that these shelters are just going to put the pet down. They will keep the pet not more than 30 days and then put them down.
So when you think about taking a shelter pet you are saving a life. But you need to think carefully about what kind of animal you want and what kind of problems this animal might be bringing with them. Do you have time to retrain or rehabilitate a shelter animal.

The cat I have now is a shelter animal. Well, not exactly but pretty close to it. She was given to a pet store she did not sell as she was black. They were charging a lot for her. She and all her siblings were still there at three months so she was no longer salable. They were in a cage that should of held two kittens and a small litter box and it held six kittens and a litter box so at least three were sitting in the litter box at one time. This particular pet shop let them out once a day. They also fed really well. But they were over crowded and the kittens next stop would have been the humane society or the pound. Then the next step would have been being put down.

I had thought a lot about what kind of cat I wanted. But it did not have to do with breed. I did a lot of praying about it. I had just lost another shelter cat to cancer of the mouth. That is another problem with taking shelter cats you have no idea of their background. So you do not know if they were feral or they got good food when the mama was pregnant. Or if they were fed right before you got them. I have had all kinds of feral cats and other ones that came from shelters. I had intended this time to take an older cat. I did not really want a kitten. But that is what I was led to and that is what I got.

Now she really was not a problem when I took her home. She was so glad to be out of that cage she just came home with me and settled right into the three bedroom house I lived in at the time. She was indoor/outdoor which meant she could go outside though she never stayed out long. In the first months I had her she even took a trip with me.

Then my daughter came home with her cat. Which worked out alright at first but then she took another cat in and Sophie my good little shelter cat began a war. She peed on everything. She peed on my daughters leather chair, the couch, every couch my daughter brought in, her bed, her clothes. Then my daughters cats began peeing on everything. The more my daughter said she was a bad cat the more my little Sophie acted up. I took her to the vet and checked out if she might have a bladder infection. He assured me she did not and that in his opinion she was angry. The only answer he had was to put her outside until she stopped being angry. I couldn't take that advise right then but in the long term I had no other choice. I put her out with my garage cat and they fought I mean fought violently for who would rule the garage and the yard. I had to really stay out of it as I could not let her back in until she stopped peeing in the house.

It took about a month and in the mean time I spent time with her in the garage daily. She would try and sneek back in but I did not let her. In about a month I decided she had been out long enough. I let her back in and there was not more peeing in the house.
My daughters cats contined to pee in the house. But she started seeing that what had worked with Sophie could work with her cats and started putting them out a day or so for every time that they peed on something.

Shortly after that Sophie and I moved into our new apartment. She has never had an accident in the house again. Just proved my theory she was just angry that my daughter brought other cats in.
Having a pet is a big commitment. This animal will be spending years of her life with you. So, before you go to a shelter, it is important to ask yourself several questions:

• Am I emotionally, financially, and personally ready to take the responsibility of having a new pet?
• Do I understand the nutritional, housing, and health requirements of this pet?
• Have I acquired the necessary items needed to take care of this pet, and have I 'pet-proofed' my house?
• Do I know what type of pet I want, e.g.; species, breed, or size, temperament, gender, age, energy level? Write down the characteristics you are looking for. We have heard many stories of people who went to a shelter with one type of pet in mind, and 'fell in love' with an entirely different type of animal, and adopted him. Sometimes this worked out fine; other times, the owner regretted the on-the-spur-of-the-moment decision. Be sure to think carefully about what type of pet you are looking for.
• Are all of the family members in agreement about getting a new pet?
• Have guidelines been set for the feeding, grooming, discipline and training, and cleaning up after the pet?

Be really honest with yourself because for your sake and the pets you do not want to take a pet you do not really want and have to return them to a shelter to be put down.

The point here being is do you have time to spend retraining or rehabilitaing a shelter cat. Now shelter cats come in all shapes and sizes. They often are pure breds. You can often get a pure breed cat from a breed specific shelter. They often have better background on their cats too. I was offered a bangel who had a lot of history of peeing on things. She also wanted to rip up furniture. But other than that she was a beauty. She was a pure bred Bengal and had a lot of energy. She was five years old so not a baby. I really thought about taking her. I knew I was home enough to rehab her. I had always wanted a Bengal. Her energy level did not bother me. I am a high energy person myself. I think the furniture destroying thing might have been a problem. But I could cope with the peeing thing. She met my qualifications that she was not a kitten. She was not really old either. I could handle a hospice cat but I would rather of had one that was going to be with me a few years.
You have to ask yourself a lot of questions about what you want in a cat. Do you want a lap cat? Do you want one that is low energy? Do you want a cat that is really clingon? Will it really upset you if the cat has behavior problems or do you see behavior problems just as something that can be overcome with love and persistance.

If a particular look or personality is what really matters to you, start your search by reviewing the different cat breeds and attending cat shows. From there you'll be able to determine what breed matches your expectations and look for a reputable breeder. The advantage of pedigreed kittens is that you have a good idea of the personality, size and look your kitten will have as an adult. Kittens from a breeder are often well-socialized and enjoy human companionship. You may find a breeder that raises show cats and will give you a kitten or even a grown cat that does not meet their expectations of show quality. They call these cats pet quality and lots of breeders are just looking for a good loving home for that kind of cat. Also look with Breed specific shelters. These cats may have problems but like the Bengal I was offered they have a lot to give as well as a few problems.

Benefits from adopting from shelters

Adopting pets from shelters can have many rewards. Many people say they are so happy that they could save the life of a wonderful animal by giving him a new and loving home. It is estimated that 4 to 6 million cats and dogs are euthanized in America's animal shelters every year. Shelters are filled with animals who were and could continue to be great pets, as well as animals who, with a little training, can become a cherished member of the family.

Animal shelters provide a wonderful mix of adoptable animals. Some are purebreds; others are virtually one of a kind. Animals are also of various ages. Many people prefer to have an older pet so there are no surprises about how big he will grow or the type of coat he may have.

Adopting an animal from a shelter is generally less expensive than acquiring an animal through a breeder or pet shop. Of course, you need to remember that the real financial cost of a pet over her lifetime is not her purchase price, but the food, grooming, health care, toys, etc. If you do not have the money to buy an expensive pet, you need to carefully look at your finances to be sure you can afford any pet, and still provide the care she needs. Ask yourself ahead of time about pet insurance. Can you cover say one or two cats? If a cat gets sick it is just like a person now days the vet cost lots of money to get that pet well.

While it varies with the shelter, you can usually get good information on the temperament and personality of the animal you are interested in. You may even have access to his health records, and a good description of his life in his former home.

Many shelters now neuter and spay all animals before they can be adopted as pets. Others may provide you with a certificate that will pay for a portion of the surgery. Most of the animals have also been wormed and vaccinated. Most animals will be house trained, and many dogs, for instance, have some basic training.

Myths about animals from shelters

Some people think that all animals in shelters were surrendered because of behavioral problems. This is not true. Many animals in shelters have impeccable behavior and habits. If the reason the animal was brought to the shelter was a behavior problem, it may have been more a problem with the previous owner's behavior than the animal's. Training takes time, patience, and consistency; if the owner is lacking any of these, the animal's behavior will suffer.

Other people believe that you cannot train an adult dog: 'you can't teach old dogs new tricks.' This, too, is untrue. Older animals can easily learn bad habits or good habits; it is up to the owner.

Other animals are brought to shelters because they are homeless or come from abusive situations.

It is my opinion that all animals are worth saving. To take a shelter animal is indeed saving a life. But if you can't take an animal how about supporting one. It is like the saying with foster children not everyone can take a foster child but everyone can help a foster child. You could give some time to a shelter. As part of my exercise routine I walk dogs for a shelter. I do this three times a week for two hours. I give money to take care of a foster animal and a foster child. This give that animal time to get a forever home. I run ads for the shelters on my Facebook page. I have been instrucmental in getting several animals homes. I write a lot of adopt a shelter animal articles. What can you do to help those 2.7 million animals who are being put down each year. Set a goal to help just one. It is like the story of a little boy who was going along the sea shore throwing starfish back into the ocean and a man came along and said you cannot save all those starfish and they little boy said but I can save this one as he threw another one into the ocean. 

Judi Singleton is the owner operator of Bejewelu.com