Who said animals can't be sad?

Feline Aggression Toward Other Cats

It is always with concern when we witness what seems to be angry aggression between cats who have been good buddies in the past. Two cats will be engaged in mutual grooming one minute, and at the next, are locked in a tooth-and-claw battle. Our instinct is to break it up before someone gets hurt, and indeed, sometimes that intercession is called for. However, aggression between housemate cats comes in several forms. We need to fully understand these kinds of aggressive behavior so that we can take appropriate steps when needed.

These are forms of aggression between cats commonly seen:

Play Aggression:

Also called "play-fighting," it starts at an early age with littermates, or with non-related kittens sharing a household, but is not confined to kittens. One kitten will "stalk" the other, then pounce his unsuspecting prey, and the fun is on. You will then see them trade off roles, with the victim chasing his former predator. The "chase me" game is a favorite among many cats. Play-fighting is usually harmless fun. However, play aggression is the first step toward establishing a permanent hierarchy or "pecking order" among feline housemates.

Sexual Aggression:

Even neutered cats occasionally "feel their oats," especially if they were neutered after sexual maturity. Sexual aggression toward each other borders on what is call "Dominance" aggression, or territorial aggression. Sexual aggression is easy to identify. The aggressor will bite the nape of the neck of the victim cat and attempt to mount him, with the same thrusting hip movements seen in male-female mating. You can discourage sexual aggression between cats by "scruffing". (Scruffing is performed by grasping the loose skin at the scruff of the neck of the aggressor cat, then gently, but firmly, pushing him down toward the floor. "Gently" is the optimum word here. Never use scruffing as punishment, but rather as a form of discipline. Scruffing is a close approximation of the actions a mother cat will take with a kitten.)

Territorial Aggression:

Territorial aggression can sometimes arise suddenly between two relatively evenly-matched cats, and can take place between male-male, male-female, or female-female. Territorial aggression in the form of fighting is often accompanied by urine spraying or "marking," which helps identify this form of aggression. The aggressor cat is not necessarily the older cat, nor the one who has been in the household the longest. He will preface his attack with much posturing: back raised, ears laid back, with accompanying growling and hissing, then leap on his victim and attempt to bite him on the back of the neck. In many cases, the "victim" cat will back down by turning and walking slowly away, and the social hierarchy process will have begun. Other times, the victim will give tit for tat, and a violent battle may ensue. Do not attempt to physically separate two fighting cats in the heat of emotion, they will not recognize you, and severe injury could result.
Most housemate cats will eventually resolve their disputes; one will reign as the "alpha cat," and the other will be satisfied with his lesser role in the "food chain “.
Distraction:

Overly zealous play aggression, sexual aggression, and most Territorial/Dominance Aggression can be dealt with effectively by distracting the cats and redirecting their energies toward play with a toy. Here are some ideas:

• Clap your hands, then say "No!" or "Time Out!" in a loud voice.



• Blow a whistle or sound an air horn



• Hiss loudly. This is in imitation of their mother cat, a lesson cats remember well into adulthood. It can work effectively along with scruffing.



• Provide the aggressor cat with a large stuffed toy, such as a teddy bear. Keep it aside as his own personal "surrogate victim," and throw it to him to redirect his attention away from his feline victim (after getting his attention).



• After you've gotten their attention, bring out an interactive toy

9/11

September 11, 2001 is a day that few of us can forget. It is important to take a moment to remember and honor the men and women who lost their lives, we should also remember the heroic search and rescue dogs who risked their lives to help save victims of the World trade Center attacks.

Search and rescue dogs are brilliant and amazing creatures that have come to the aid of so many disaster victims over the years. Beyond World trade Center the tragedy, these dogs have been there to assist in countless search and rescue efforts following hurricanes, floods, earthquakes and similar disasters. We also owe thanks to the dedicated dog trainers and companions of these brave dogs.
To make a donation to the Search and rescue dogs you can go to the following link. http://www.sardogsus.org/

Why use a pet sitter?

Pet ownership in the United States is continually on the rise. Currently, 63 percent of all American households have pets. The US pet population includes some 73 million dogs, 90 million cats and 16 million birds plus fish, hamsters and other animals. These pets are happiest when they're home, surrounded by familiar sights, smells and sounds.

For many years, pet owners faced a dilemma when they had to be away from home. Limited care options were available. One choice was boarding at a kennel or vet. Another was turning to family, friends, neighbors or a professional boarder. But these solutions were seldom ideal.

A new alternative - pet sitting - has changed all that.

Today, you can hire a pet sitters who will look after an animal or animals, at thier home, while their owner is away. Pet sitting has taken the anxiety out of leaving a pet behind, which is why it is one of the nation's fastest growing industries.

Pet sitters do much more than provide your pet with food and water while you're away from home. A good pet sitter also spends quality time with your pet, gives him exercise, and the attention that he craves while you are away. Pet sitters typically offer additional services, such as bringing in mail and newspapers, turning lights on and off, and providing homes with a lived-in look. Also your pet is not left in an unfamiliar place. Some of the advantages to having a pet sitter are....

• Pets are happier and less stressed in their own homes



• Diet and exercise routines are uninterrupted



• Travel trauma for owner and pet is eliminated



• Pets are not exposed to other animals that may be sick



• Friends, family and neighbors need not be bothered



• Friends and neighbors may lack proper pet-care experience and/or have even forgotten to show up
  

So what is the solution? Consider hiring a "pet sitter"—a professional, qualified individual who will care for your pet in his or her own environment where they are comfortable. You can start your search at the following web sites.

CreatureComfortsPetServices.org http://www.petsitters.org/index.cfm

Destructive Chewing

Sooner or later every dog lover returns home to find some unexpected damage inflicted by his or her dog. Although dogs make great use of their vision and sense of smell to explore the world, one of their favorite ways to take in new information is to put their mouths to work. Fortunately, chewing can be directed onto appropriate items so your dog isn't destroying items you value or jeopardizing his own safety. Until he's learned what he can and can't chew, however, it's your responsibility to manage the situation as much as possible, so he doesn't have the opportunity to chew on unacceptable objects.

Taking Control by Managing the Situation:

• Take responsibility for your own belongings: If you don't want it in your dog's mouth, don't make it available. Keep clothing, shoes, books, trash, etc. out of your dog's reach.


• Don't confuse your dog by offering him shoes and socks as toys and then expecting him to distinguish between his shoe and yours. Your dog's toys should be clearly distinguishable from household goods.


• Until he learns the house rules, confine him when you're unable to keep an eye on him. Choose a "safe place" that's dog-proof. If your dog is crate trained, you may also place him in his crate for short periods of time.


• Give your dog plenty of people-time. Your dog won't know how to behave if you don't teach him alternatives to inappropriate behavior, and he can't learn these when he's in the yard by himself.


• If, and only if, you catch your dog chewing on something he shouldn't, interrupt the behavior with a loud noise, offer him an acceptable chew toy instead, and praise him lavishly when he takes the toy in his mouth.


• Have realistic expectations. At some point your dog will inevitably chew up something you value; this is often part of the transition to a new home. Your dog needs time to learn the house rules and you need to remember to take precautions and keep things out of his reach.

Chewing is normal behavior for curious puppies who may be teething, but adult dogs may engage in destructive chewing for any number of reasons. In order to deal with the behavior, you must first determine why your dog is chewing—and remember, he's not doing it to spite you.

Lizard Facts

(Russian legless lizard)

• Some lizards are legless! They look like snakes. Look closely, if you see ear openings and moveable eyes, it’s really a lizard.

• Their legs are not positioned like a mammals, they stick out on each side and push the body along

• Lizards are adaptable. They are found on every continent in the world except Antarctica.
  
  


• Lizards shed their skin when they outgrow it

• Lizards never stop growing
  

• Not all species of lizard lay eggs.

• The Gila monster and its close relative, the Mexican beaded lizard, are the only two venomous lizards in the world
  

Bird Facts

• At any given time, there are anywhere between one and two billion living birds on the planet.



• There are over 40 million pet birds living in the U.S.



• The most common bird on the planet is the Chicken.



• There are over 350 species of parrots in the world.



• A bird's feathers weigh more than its skeleton does.



• Based on similarities in skeletal structure, a good number of scientists have theorized that many modern bird species evolved from the dinosaurs.



• Migratory bird species fly in formation to conserve energy -- much like driving in a larger vehicle's slipstream can reduce the amount of gas you require.



• Some parrot species must fly over 500 miles a day in the wild to forage for food.