 Even if they do not understand the ‘why’ behind the holiday, dogs love Christmas! And why wouldn’t they? We bring a tree inside the house. Everyone is in a good mood. Happy people visit. Gifts are exchanged.  Figuring out how to conquer pet odors is mostly common sense. A clean pet sleeping in clean bedding in a clean house is not going to smell.  The difference between purchasing a purebred puppy versus a mixed breed is the there are predictable physical and temperament traits in the purebred puppy.  To a canine expert, what your dog’s breed says about you could fill a book and is more accurate then a Myer-Briggs Personality Test. Are you the outdoorsy type who enjoy exercise and feel at their best when challenged both mentally and physically? Or are you the type of person who prefers to be pampered and mix in a vast social circle?  Basic homeowner and renter insurance policies generally cover up to $100,000 in the case of a dog bite (although we recommend you always double check with your insurance company to confirm coverage). However, not only may the amount be too low in the case of some accidents, it also may not cover non-bite related incidents.  For a dog to be happy and healthy, they need both physical exercise and social interaction with their peers. Running, playing, speaking ‘dog’ and sniffing butts are all part of a well-socialized canine community.  We have all gone above and beyond the duty at some point in our pet’s life. Cooking special foods, giving up the idea of a yearly vacation to cover the costs of daycare, going home on our lunch hour to let our pet outside to pee, or spending money we do not have to make sure they are happy and healthy.  A Miniature Poodle bites a child, breaking the skin, and the media hype is non-existent. There is not even a hospital visit over the incident. A pit bull bites a child, does not break the skin, and the media swarm the home like a nest of aggravated hornets.  To support the community under the umbrella of these four principles, the city developed groundbreaking programs that removed barriers and helped establish strong communication and respect for bylaw officers.  Most rescue and animal welfare organizations understand that everyone goes through the odd financial hiccup and are there to help and no one wants to put a much loved dog into the system if there are any other options.  We all love our pets. They are important members of our families. They are our companions, best friends, and playmates. From puppy and kitten hood, we cosset them, indulge their every whim, and raise them to be perfect little members  ‘Pet overpopulation’ is a common theme for many animal rescue agencies and rightly so, it is an almost insurmountable problem in North America. The statistics are staggering and speak for themselves: the Humane Society of the United States report four million cats and dogs are euthanized each year.  If you happen to be in southern California and can turn in KRLA 870 AM or if you're in most of North America and get WOR 710 AM then you can check out this weekly show from Warren Eckstein.  When there is only a wall between you and your neighbors, quiet is the number one consideration. Many breeds fall under the criteria of ‘yappy’ and although many large breeds are not overt barkers, larger lungs mean a bigger bark. Be careful choosing a breed that is known to be quiet.  Just because your Affenpoo, Foxy Russell, Labradinger, or Pomeagle has a fancy sounding name does not mean he is a purebred dog. In fact, nothing could be far from the truth.  With the media hype and public outcry surrounding the practices of disreputable dog breeders and puppy mills, recently all dog breeders have come under scrutiny while being painted with the same unsavory brush. However, are these accusations warranted? Are all dog breeders actually running a puppy mill?  According to a 2010 survey, about 80% of all pet owners have driven in the car with their dogs. However, less than 20% use any type of restraint system. That means those dogs could easily be putting everyone at risk who’s sharing the road with those drivers.  There are adorable stuffed animals, squeaky rubber toys, little rope toys, and pull-me toys. But if you have a large dog or a dog that loves to chew, you also know that your dog can disembowel, rip apart, and shred these toys in seconds.  If you are planning to travel to the UK from the U.S. with your pet in the near future then pet travel to UK is easier than it once was. Your pet will not have to undergo a six month quarantine on arrival.
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