Bubba

@amazingcritterproducts.com ‪#‎pets‬ ‪#‎petportraits‬ ‪#‎dogs‬
This is Bubba! Bubba won my raffle at the Phoenix Pet Expo two weeks ago, for a free 9x12 pet portrait. Just finished painting it! smile emoticon
Hope Bubba's "Dad" likes it.

Kitty Litter Box

@amazingcritterproducts.com #pets #cats #petportraits

So we bought a new litter box...lol...I know, it's a little over the edge, but it really works for us! The cats have enough room to find a good spot, they have space to dig and cover, and most importantly they don't step constantly into each other's "business. This really keeps the danger of urinary track infections down too. I use "corn" litter, it is natural, very light, and easy to scoop.

 - Urinary tract problems are a common affliction among cats.

"Cleanliness is one key to avoiding cat urinary tract problems," says veterinarian Melissa Brookshire. "Urinary tract obstructions, evidenced by straining without producing any urine, are emergency situations that require immediate veterinary attention. Once diagnosed and treated, steps for prevention should become routine. Having a fresh, clean litter box can go a long way in preventing this affliction."

Check out the following advice for hassle-free cat care and litter box help:

1. Keep the Box Clean. A big part of keeping the litter box clean is scooping clumps and solids frequently. This keeps the box fresh and increases the likelihood your cat will use it.

2. Clean Up Accidents. Clean up any "accidents" outside the litter box quickly using an enzymatic cleaner. These cleaners eliminate any scent that may encourage your cat to "use" that spot again.

3. Use Multiple Boxes. Remember that multiple-cat households need multiple litter boxes. Place the boxes in different parts of the house or on different floors. Older cats especially need access to litter boxes on every floor.

4. Make Box Access Easy. It's best to keep the box away from any noisy or high-traffic areas. The more accessible and comfortable the litter box is for your cat, the more likely it will be used.

5. Keep Food and Litter Box Separate. Don't place your cat's food next to their litter box. Doing so may confuse your cat on the litter box's purpose, or may result in unsanitary eating conditions.

6. Use the Correct Litter for Your Cat. Choosing the right litter can help make it easier to maintain a safe and sanitary environment. World's Best Cat Litter eliminates the hassle from litter box cleanup because it's the only litter that harnesses naturally absorbent whole-kernel corn to deliver outstanding odor control, quick clumping, easy scooping and longlasting performance. It's safe for cats of all ages.

Lol

@amazingcritterproducts.com #paintings #portraits #petportraits #dogs
Yeah, please! I wanna know what you're doing :)

Is your dog older than dad?

Like people, dogs will go through stages of growth, maturity, and aging. Time passes for them as well as for ourselves and this can often be over-looked, owners must be vigilant and recognize the signs of aging in the dog as well as dad. An observant family will know that their dog has slowed down in the past year and that he/she is stiff in the mornings. Maybe they don’t jump up as fast as they use to or want to walk or play quite as much.. They see that pet is no longer an eager eater and that she sleeps more deeply and longer than usual. There maybe fatty tumors develop under the skin, or you may notice that he/she is more startled by loud noises. Aging in pets, as in ourselves, is a gradual process. Organs begin to deteriorate, senses begin to decline, and energy begins to flag. They can however, if love and cared for be kept happy and comfortable in their senior years.

Old age comes at different times for different breeds of dogs and different individual dogs. Giant breeds tend to age early, for their life expectancy is generally less than 10 years. Large and medium-sized breeds have a life expectancy of 12-15 years, while smaller breeds can often live quite a bit longer ie; 15 years or more. I have a Yorkshire Terrier that was 18years old on the 7th of April 2006 and she is still doing fine. Obviously she needs to go to the vets more often and she had problems with her hips and back legs but she still has a good quality of life and that is the important factor.

A strong, healthy dog will probably age later than a dog that is stressed by disease or a bad environment early in his/her life. That does not mean, if you have obtain a dog from a sanctuary or pet shelter that has had an awful life, that you cannot make its last years good. Once the ill-treatment stops, hopefully so will some of the deterioration. Good care and a good home will go a long way to help your pet live a better and more comfortable life. Good nutrition is vital to a pets health at any age and if this can be your priority from a puppy that is great. If however like me, your pets came to you when they were older and they were not in prime condition, good nutrition is of ultimate importance. Go speak to your vet immediately and get your pet on the right and proper road to good health and nutrition. Remember good quality food now may save you a fortune on vet bills later.

Exercise is also important in keeping your dog in good shape. You may think your fat pooch looks cute and you feel it is not fair to put them on a diet. Well! All those treats you think your dog can’t live without may be killing him/her. Your pet might be happy being pampered to death and you might be happy doing it, but so will the vet when he sends the bills. If you shrug your shoulders and say “I don’t care about the money”. Just think, you may have your little companion another 4-5 years he/she slims down and takes a walk around the block and so may you!

Don’t scold, discipline, or punish your pet for lapses in housetraining or for nipping a toddler who wakes him/her from a deep sleep. Avoid the situations when possible and deal with them when they happen, but do so without anger, remember how bad tempered dad gets when he is woken shapely. Like people your pet will have special requirement, special consideration and love and understanding. They may need to be awakened from time to time during the day to go outside. Try to tempt their appetite if it seems to be waning, maybe offer them a little treat or tip-bit, not too much now! Remember your pet is another member of your family, they deserve as much as you can afford, love them well and they will return it with bonuses. As with elderly people forgive your pet if he/she forgets her manners or housetraining.

With a little care, understanding and observation your aging pet will become and old dog several years later than for some. They will age in good health slower and continue to bring joy to the family for years to come. I lost my 18year old collie 3 months ago and one month before a 11 year old rabbit. Now I have a yorkie that is 18 and a tabby cat that will be 18 20th of September 2006. It is possible to keep them healthy even in old age.
Published: 2006-05-21
Author: Mel Moore

Does your cat have bad breath?

(NewsUSA) - How many times has your cat come to wake you up by rubbing his face against your face in the morning? Your cat looks adorable, but the odor coming from his mouth may make his affection less than welcome. Of course, you want to freshen your cat's breath, but before you look into kitty breath mints, you might want to make an appointment with your veterinarian.

While post-tuna halitosis is no cause for concern, your cat's breath should not stink consistently. If you notice an unrelenting odor, your cat might be suffering from an undetected health issue, such as oral disease or diabetes. If you notice the following smells, have your cat examined by a vet:

* A sweet smell. If you cat's breath smells fruity, it could be a sign of diabetes, especially if the sweet breath is combined with excessive thirst, frequent urination and weight loss.

* An ammonia-like smell. If your cat's breath smells like urine, he could have kidney disease. Other symptoms include loss of appetite, thirst and frequent urination.

* A bile-like smell. If your cat's breath smells like vomit, he may have liver problems. Look for other symptoms, including a swollen belly, loss of appetite and jaundice, or a yellow discoloration in your cat's eyes and gums.

* A smell similar to bad breath smell in humans. If your cat's breath smells like human morning breath, it might have gum disease, the most common cause of halitosis.
Gum disease is caused by destructive bacteria, which can build plaque and infect the gum line. Professional tooth cleanings can help control the problem, but cats (and noses) benefit greatly from weekly tooth brushing.

If your cat won't allow you to brush its teeth, try using an oral care probiotic such as Teddy's Pride (www.myteddyspride.com). The tasteless, odorless probiotic powder, which can be sprinkled on pets' food, flood the mouth with healthy bacteria, so the harmful bacteria that cause bad breath have less room to grow.

5 Simple Ways Anyone Can Support Animal Shelters

(NewsUSA) - It's staggering to think that each year an estimated 5-7 million companion animals find their way into the care of animal shelters across the United States.

Despite the best efforts of thousands of shelter workers, keeping up with the care of abandoned animals is a daunting task for even the most well-funded rescue organizations. While you may not be able to donate tons of money or time, supporting animal shelters with small contributions can make a huge difference.
Here are some simple ways you can help.

1. Lend Your Expertise
Shelters often have limited funds to hire individuals capable of setting up websites, writing articles for newsletters, taking pictures of available pets, landscaping the grounds or providing legal advice. Consider your skill set and how you could be a valuable resource for your local shelter.

2. Get Social
Shelter animals come from diverse backgrounds, and socializing them can be key in making them more attractive candidates for adoption. Animal rescue organizations often need volunteers willing to dedicate a little time to playing with a cat or teaching a dog to sit.

3. Foster a Pet
Since overcrowding in animal shelters is a constant challenge, many rescue organizations look for foster homes that may help socialize and prepare certain pets for adoption. Contact your local shelter and see if you qualify.

4. Turn Your Trash into Treasure
Animal shelters go through lots of food bowls and towels each year. While your old blankets and dinnerware might seem ready for a trip to the dump, they could be put to good use. Think before you toss them, because your trash could be treasure to a pet in need.

5. Click Away
Want to help shelters acquire the essentials without dipping into your wallet? Major pet brands are harnessing the power of the Internet to help pet lovers support animal shelters without spending a dime. A recent GiveLitter campaign saw more than 60,000 voters visiting www.givelitter.com to donate 100,000 pounds of World's Best Cat Litter to shelters across the country.
Shelters everywhere are looking for help, so see which simple act can make you feel good while doing good! Keep these handy tips in mind as Pet Adoption Month draws near.

And of course make sure, your own pets are microchipped and keep them safe, so they don't become a shelter pet! Pets are family, and a lifelong commitment! 

Southwest wildlife conservation

Dear Friends,

For 22 years we have been fighting to save native wildlife.  Today our very survival is at stake.  A lone neighbor has filed complaints and a lawsuit in an effort to close our doors.  The individual, who just moved to the area a few years ago, objects to dust from a dirt road and the occasional howling from wolves and coyotes at the sanctuary.  

Arizona Republic columnist Laurie Roberts reports in her recent article on the dispute, that this neighbor would “evict the wolves and coyotes – the ones who were there long before he moved in…   And pave the road.  You know, make it more like the city.”   You can read the entire article here.

Sadly, the complaints from this single neighbor have cost us dearly by limiting our educational events and our ability to raise funds.  As a result, the revenue from our educational programs is down 70% compared to last year.

Please help us by donating what you can.  Just click here.

Southwest Wildlife is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and relies on donations to operate..  For more than two decades we have been rescuing and rehabilitating native mammals and returning them to the wild.   Animals that cannot be returned to the wild have a home for life at our sanctuary.

Our fight for survival has also been featured on 12News, Fox10, and ABC 15.

Our neighbors have created a petition in support of Southwest Wildlife.  Please take the time to read and sign it, by clicking here.

And please thank Maricopa County Supervisor Steve Chucri for his support of our cause at chucris@mail.maricopa.gov.

Please consider donating to our center as we strive to preserve wildlife and struggle to stay open in the face of one neighbor’s devastating campaign against us.

Please also consider sending a Letter of Support for Southwest Wildlife to Darren V. Gérard, Deputy Director of the Maricopa County Planning & Development Department. We have created two sample letters for you to submit (of course you are free to edit it, and write your own). If you are a neighbor and wish to write a letter of support please click here. If you are not a neighbor to Southwest Wildlife, please click here.

In appreciation, 

Linda Searles
Founder
Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center

Cats in space

"Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere."

-Carl Sagan

enjoy!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7UwSVsiwzI&feature=youtu.be