JUNE SPECIAL

June is my Birthday month! So here is my special gift to you! If you order a customized portrait of your pet during the month of June, you get 

30% off!!!!!  

order here:

Boating with man's best friend

Boating with man's best friend
by: Ed Conroy

Taking along man's best friend on your boating trip could be a great adventure for both you and him/her. For your furry friend boating is like riding in his dream convertible with a blast of sun and fresh air from all directions. Nose in the air, ears blowing in the wind and his/her favorite people; what could be better!

Most all dogs have mastered the famous "Doggie Paddle" but it's always important to stay as safe as possible. Your dog should always wear a life jacket when both in and near the water. That holds true even for breeds of dogs that traditionally love the water and take to swimming quite easily. Such breeds include the following: American Water Spaniel, Barbet, Boykin Spaniel, Bedlington Terrier, Cantabrian Water Dog, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Curly Coated Retriever, Epagneul Pont-Audemer, Flat-Coated Retriever, Golden Retriever, Irish Water Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Lagotto Romagnolo (a.k.a Italian Water Dog), Münsterländer (large and small), Nova Scotia Duck Toller, Otterhound, Portuguese Water Dog, Spanish Water Dog, Standard Poodle, Newfoundland , Puli, Wetterhound

When taking your dog on water related outings it's important to keep the following five items in mind.

• A towel just for your dog

• A shirt or sweater made out of water-resistant material

• A non - spill water bowl and lots of fresh bottled to put in it

• A pooper-scooper and a trash bag or two

• A life jacket for your dog

Another tip to consider is shade for your friend. Even though your dog may have many opportunities to jump into the water, it's important he/she has a cool relaxing place for resting. Boat surfaces, such as fiberglass, can get extremely hot in the sun. Dogs absorb heat through the pads on their feet so be sure to protect them. Your dog will surely be enjoying himself/herself so much that excitement could hide the fact he/she is overheated.

Now that you have most everything covered pick the perfect day to go have that amazing adventure with your whole family! Always keeping safety first, your dog is bound to have the time of his/her life. Enjoy your trip!

American Bulldog

Since my last painting featured a bulldog, I thought I'd share this article I found.

American Bulldogs – What Every New Owner Must Know?
 by: Ricardo Lumbardo

American Bulldogs are mostly descendants of English Bulldogs, and they were near extinction after World War II. John Summerville is the man who should be given the credit for bringing them back by careful breeding. They are the one who are loved here in America a lot. The breed is known as good hunters and they are one of the breeds that are working. They are very loyal, and thus a good family dog. In addition, these dogs commonly known to be very courageous and gutsy when they have to protect their owners.

Types of Bulldogs

Classic and the standard are the two varieties of the American bulldogs. Standard variety is dogs that have been designated as the Scott. The breed known as Classic is the one that is also called the Bully and another name is Johnson. Although there are many different hybrids with countless combinations of two varieties, the basic characteristics remain the same. The breed standard is short and sturdy and looks very similar to the pit bulls. These dogs are usually white with some red or brindle. They have a short coat, and the nervous system that can be hard or rough to the touch. One has to invest time in cleaning and brushing them on daily basis. Make sure that the brush is stiff. As the jaw is strong these American bull dogs look boxy.

Weight and Size

For those considering bringing home American Bulldogs, it is important to take into account the size and weight of the American bull dogs. On an average the Males are as tall as 27 inches and their weight measures up to125 pounds. On the other hand the Females are 25 inches tall and 100 kilos. The average age of these dogs is 16 years. The variety of English have been raised to help the herd of cattle. Some of its features have been sent to the American variety. Although known to have a strong personality, are fierce and protective as guard dogs, which are also very gentle and get along well with other pets and children in families.

It may be so that the dog is not aware of its own weight and may not even know how strong it is, therefore it is the duty of the owner to train it in this respect. This means when they mingle with the infants in the family they must be aware. If trained well they will abide by your words. One can keep them indoors as they are active there. Just train the American bulldogs perfectly and enjoy their company

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