Made Moon Blog

Saltwater aquariums are for fish that can only live in salt water obviously. Some of the fish are grouped for example triggers and groupers. Each play their part in the salt water aquarium set up. You can also keep corals and anemones as well as saltwater fish, but avoid things like crabs and shrimps and snails as they will try to eat the anemones.

Fish are a beautiful addition to this kind of tank, the lights accentuate the beauty of the fish and the tank looks like the deep blue sea, try to add a solid blue background at the back of the tank and the light will make the tank look fantastic and like something that you will only see in movies. There are lots if different fish that are available to be put in the tanks such as: Lion Fish, Puffer Fish, Eels, Panther Groupers, Shrimps, Crabs and dog puffers. Each of these fish is stunning and under the light of tank against the deep blue background will keep you in awe!

Another variant that you can keep in a saltwater aquarium is a coral or an anemone. Some people only have these types of living things in their saltwater tank but they can be put in with some fish, most other fish will try to eat them especially the anemones. These types of plants are living, the anemones need to be hand fed, you should just place the food on top of it and it will then curl itself around the food and open up its mouth and feed itself, its is a miraculous thing to watch.

Saltwater aquariums are like watching the ocean, the colours bounce of the fish and hey all get on so well, but it is like any other type of fish species; if it is smaller it will get eaten by something bigger. You also have to watch out because some of the fish are poisonous, for example the lion fish; its tentacles if touched will sting your hand and you need to seek medical help straight away! Saltwater aquariums are only for the professional fish keeper though, as it takes a lot of work to get the conditions for the fish correct, the saltwater needs to be at a safe level as does the temperature and the PH. This is a hard work task but the rewards are well worth the effort.

If you have an animal at home, you might need to do some preparations before the baby comes home form the hospital. If you have a cat, you need to get her nails clipped and be given a bath. Move the liter box as far away from the baby as possible. In fact, put the liter box outside. The liter boxes contain the poop of the cat. This is not good for the baby. I should be known that baby seem to really like the kitty orca. I have seen my friends son come over to the house…he is two, and come out with poop all over his mouth. Also put something over the area where the kid is sleeping. You can put some double back tape along crib rails, and cats hate to have sticky stuff on their feet. Cats also like to cuddle up next to warm things, to keep warm. A friend of ours’ son, was snuffed out in his sleep by a cuddling cat don’t let this tragic story happen to you. Just be aware that it does happen. Also if the kid is allergic, the reaction could be bad. So be ready to act fast.

If only we could get our pets to brush their teeth regularly! Well you know that can’t happen . . . but we can help our dogs take care of their teeth and gums. They don’t, of course, realize how important dental care is to their health (and maybe you didn’t realize it either).

Following are some facts about dental problems that may either be causing your dog discomfort right now or might soon affect your dog’s health; we’ll also give you some tips on treating those problems.

Gingivitis: Gingivitis is a gum disease that occurs when gum tissue becomes inflamed. If not treated, gingivitis will lead to periodontitis (described below); if it is not treated, gingivitis will cause your dog to start loosing teeth.

Periodontitis: Periodontitis is an advanced gum disease that attacks not only the gums but also the bones that underlie the gums. Commonly called periodontal disease, this is the most common dental problem for dogs. Even relatively young dogs may have Periodontitis or the earlier-stage gum disease, gingivitis.

Imagine a year or two of buildup on your dogs teeth — buildup of plaque, food particles and bacteria. If your dog has gum disease you may not have to imagine it, you will probably be able to see a near-white substance coating the teeth and gums — that’s the result of the bacteria.

Tooth fractures: Dogs love to gnaw on things like bones and when they do they might develop small breaks -fractures of their teeth. Endodontic disease is the name for infections that develop inside these fractures.

Preventing the problems mentioned above is as simple as keeping your dog’s teeth clean. Clean teeth means less bacteria and less bacteria means less disease . . . and the extra bonus of no more ‘doggie-breath.’

Brushing your dog’s teeth. The best way to keep your dog’s teeth clean is by brushing them every day. That may sound like an impossible task but its really not. Over time, if you approach it slowly and lovingly, your dog will accept tooth brushing as an enjoyable daily activity.

Important: If you think that your dog has gum disease or fractured teeth take the dog to a vet to have the condition treated and cleared up before you try brushing the teeth yourself. If the dog has diseased gums, any attempt at tooth brushing may be painful and from then on the dog will associate tooth brushing with pain.

Ideally, you should start brushing a dogs teeth when its a puppy. As a puppy this will be more of a game than a threat and, over time, it will turn into an activity the puppy loves.

If your dog is older and has healthy looking teeth and gums, introduce it to a tooth brush by coating an old toothbrush with something the dog likes to taste; one suggestion is a paste made out of garlic salt and water. Let the dog lick it and even chew on it for just a second. The next day, the dog will recognize the tooth brush in your hand and come running over for another “treat.” Gradually work your way into brushing it’s teeth like that, day-by-day.

Eventually you’ll need to get a toothbrush and toothpaste that is made specifically for pets; you’ll find both in any good pet supply store. It is especially important to find toothpaste that is made for pets; don’t try to use toothpaste made for people. Human toothpaste isn’t intended for ingestion and since your dog can’t ’spit it out’ you need to get a toothpaste that won’t make the dog sick when some amount is swallowed.

There are two types of pet toothbrushes, one looks like a human toothbrush that is designed to brush a small child’s teeth and the other is a finger brush. A finger brush looks like a large thimble with a pad or bristles mounted on it. Both types of toothbrush are fairly inexpensive so you may want to purchase one of each and see which one works best for you. Either way, as long as the toothpaste tastes good to your dog, it won’t mind you ‘messing around’ in it’s mouth and, eventually, it will even look forward to the daily ritual.

Have your dog’s teeth professionally cleaned. If, for whatever reason, you don’t want to or you can’t brush your dogs teeth yourself, take it to a veterinarian and have the vet give the dog’s teeth a professional cleaning. The vet will sedate your dog and do all the necessary scraping and cleaning of the teeth while the dog is sleeping.

Give your dog a checkup. Its a great idea to give your dog’s mouth a regular checkup. You’ll be looking for any broken, chipped or cracked teeth or any signs that the gums are not healthy. If you see any problems, get the dog to a veterinarian as soon as you can.

Protect your dog’s teeth. Sometimes dogs need to be protected from themselves. A dog will chew on anything and the really hard things like some bones, rocks and other very hard items may eventually crack or break the dog’s teeth. Get rid of the hard stuff and buy your dog some softer chew toys.

Buy some mouthwash for your dog. Nope! Not kidding! There are mouthwash products for dogs and just ignore that mental picture of trying to get your dog to gargle. You just add some of the mouthwash to your dog’s water dish and the mouthwash will not only improve your dog’s breath, it will keep the do’s teeth clean and free of tarter.

As you can see, dogs have dental problems that are very similar to human dental problems and they benefit from dental care just like we do. For all the products suggested here for your dog’s dental care, ask your veterinarian for his or her recommendations on the best products to use. Your vet is your dog’s doctor and should be trusted like you trust your own doctor.

Gary Allison is a third generation of professional dog breeders. It all started with his grandparents in 1970 with the Boston Terriers and has expanded to Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Pugs, Shih Tzu’s and Pomeranians. He is also actively involved with dog rescue and has a website that showcases the puppies he occasionally has for sale at All My Puppies Online Gary is also the author of two consumer guides, Carpet Secrets and Moving Secrets Guide

Dogs thrive on positive direction and are extremely social animals. Over the years, the breeds have been protected and perfected. The outcome is a breed who have a deep foundation within the respectful human dog relationship. This is why the respected relationship is the most significant factor between pet and pet owner. As such, a good relationship between dog and man is built on trust and honor.

In such a relationship the dog is guided and not pushed to understanding himself naturally. By doing this, a pet owner is committing themself into truly understanding who the dog species really is. This is first developed by understanding the dog and its history.

Within a dogs pack are its inner circle of friends. This consists of both human, the pet owner and family, and dogs, either friend or sibling. We know this because all dogs are derived from the wolf, who are social-pack animals. By understanding and studying the wolf, we gain a deeper knowledge of the dog’s human relationship; where the canine views those humans he lives with as pack members. By recognizing and understanding this simple yet crucial fact you now understand and know 95% more about the true dog than the average pet owner. This will lead to the best possible training of a puppy through the inclusion of the dog in the pack and naturally developing a pecking order with your dog.

What about the alpha dog? Is this for real or is it another dog myth? By all scientific documentation the alpha male is for real and is a common fact. All wolf packs have an alpha male that can be seen as the head boss. They can take on single or multiple roles depending on each pack that can be: leadership, setlling fights between pack members, dictator, etc… All other wolves look to the alpha male dog for leadership and guidance and therefore create a stable “family pack relationship.” If you’ve got a dog who hasn’t be trained properly and is the alpha of your house a change is needed. There should be no question in your dog’s mind tha you are the alpha and he is the subordinate. You must present yourself as a leader starting with the first impression.

When dealing with your dog, an enormous amount of communication is sent through body language. One important way alphas command respect is with authority in their eye contact. Gentle looks will signify acceptance and stern dominant expressions will demand respect and compliance. This is done through various training techniques to aid the dog in establishing and making eye contact with its owner. Training in general should start the day the little puppy enters the world. Dog training should be a complete life experience for the dog focusing on the big picture and the human dog relationship. This is different than the basic sit, roll over, shake, stay and find commands and requires much more than breaking a dog through disciplinary actions and reward systems. When the inner pack relationship is established between owner and dog, an unbreakable and non-duplicated bond is formed. This bond is not done justice with words but is known by many pet owners throughtout our world.

Is Your Doggy Decor In Style?

MyPetSupplyOnline.com was created with a single purpose in mind - to deliver to the customer quality pet products at a desirable price. At MyPetSupplyOnline.com we love animals. Just like us, our customers are pet lovers, not just pet owners. We have tried to find the most in style and best supplies for our pets and want to make them accessible to every pet owner. MyPetSupplyOnline.com represents the most convenient and practical way to purchase quality pet products online.

Man’s best friend is enjoying a higher profile when it comes to tying the knot. Although the trend gained steam in the easy-going West, wedding planners all over the country are seeing dogs take on key roles in the ceremony. In short, well-trained tail-waggers are showing up as ring bearers, groomsmen, maids of honor, and even assuming the role that once belonged to good ol’ Dad — giving away the bride. Dogs have become so common in weddings, many professional planners know where to book a dog handler for the day without blinking an eye. (After all, he’ll need water, protection from crowds — and a few trips to the loo.)

Gone to the Dogs?
What fuels the trend to add Fido to the ceremony? Opinions differ, but one is the way that weddings are changing: once they were a purely formal affair, with formal language and dress that hardly seemed to relate to our real lives at all. But many of today’s couples are trying to bring more of the things we really say into the ceremony — sometimes by writing our own vows — and more of how we really look, which sometimes means bypassing the traditional white dress. And for many of us, our patient pooch is a lot like a child or a two-footed companion. He might have his own furniture, his own shelf full of tasty organic treats, his own set of smart fashion accessories. And whither we go, he goes … just like any other family member. No wonder many couples don’t think twice about bringing him to the altar.

But not every dog makes the perfect bridal party member. No matter how much you might love the mischievous antics of your wayward canine at home, it’s only the well-trained, responsive dog that should share your big day. If your dog comes, sits, is good with groups, and can be relied on to hold a “down-stay,” he’s a candidate. If not, leave him home, or invest in some obedience classes straight away.

You’ll also want to clear your pup’s presence with the powers-that-be well ahead of time. Yes, it’s a little surprising, but with the rising popularity of dogs in weddings, it’s a fair bet that your officiant will give you the green light. Many banquet halls at hotels will also say “yes” to a well-behaved pet on your big day, provided you have a handler.

Dressed for Success
Once you’ve got the go-ahead, the greatest fun in including your dog is dressing him up. Popular choices for pint-sized wedding apparel include adorable jeweled collars, miniature tuxes or bridal gown, and crystal-encrusted combs and barrettes. Diane Meier Delaney of “The New American Wedding” draped her pooch in an ornate floral arrangement that literally took her guests’ breath away (but discuss this option thoughtfully with your florist — avoid poisonous flowers and steer clear of scratchy wires).

Now that you’ve ordered his attire and your dog’s all set to work hard at your wedding, why not plan to treat him? You can purchase adorable cakes and cupcakes designed for occasions that are perfectly safe for your dog: delicious-looking confections made with wheat flour or oatmeal and bananas or honey, dripping with carob and studded with candy dog bones. Or you can make your own — just search the net for some tested, dog-safe recipes that avoid excess fat and sugar, and pass on canine no-nos like chocolate, grapes, avocados, coffee and certain nuts.

About the Author

Blake Kritzberg is editor of FavorIdeas. Stop by for continually-updated celebrity wedding news, fairy tale wedding favors, wedding attire for dogs and unique wedding favors.

It is not hard to understand why plants are present in so many aquariums. Lush and healthy plants are stunning to look at and will create a much more natural environment in the aquarium. Most fish species feel safer and less stressed when they have plants to hide among, and many species will never thrive in an unplanted aquarium. If your fish species inhabit densely grown waters in the wild, they will feel very insecure in a plant without any vegetation. A lot of fish species are however rock dwellers and can get the same sense of security from caves and rocky formations in the aquarium. If your fish disturb the plants and damage them by nibbling of the leaves or digging up the roots, caves and wood can be a better solution than plants. If uprooting is the main problem, you can choose plants that float and do not require any anchorage in the substrate. If your fish are vigorous plant eaters, artificial plants can be used instead of live plants. It can also be possible to find a few live plant species that your fish do not like the taste of. If your fish only nibble on the plants, you can choose strong and fast growing live plants that can tolerate some snacking.

Plants will not only provide your fish with valuable shelters and make your aquarium look beautiful; they will also help you to keep the water quality up. Fish and plants coexist in the wild and will complement each other well in the aquarium. The waste products released by fish will contain compounds that the plants can use as nutrition. Organic waste will therefore be contained within the plant instead of floating around in the water where it can harm the fish. You should however keep in mind that these compounds will not “disappear”, they will just be confined within the plant. If you allow dead and decaying plant material to stay in the aquarium, the organic compounds will be released again and begin to pollute the water. Plants must therefore be regularly pruned and unhealthy parts must be removed from the water as soon as possible. In return for the organic compounds that they receive from the fish, the plants will produce oxygen which is essential to the fish. The plants will also use dissolved carbon dioxide and thereby lower the levels of carbon dioxide in the aquarium.

The direct exchange between fish and plants is important, but it is not the only thing that help keeping the water quality up. The plants will also provide a home for a wide range of micro organisms that are beneficial for the ecosystem in the aquarium. Plants are also capable of inhibiting ugly algae growth since plants and algae compete over the same nutrients.

Many fish species will never spawn in an unplanted aquarium. Some species need the plants to feel safe enough to spawn, while others need leaves to attach their eggs on. A densely planted aquarium will also increase the fry survival growth if you wish to raise fry in the same aquarium as adult fish, since the fry will hide among the plants. Busy plants with a lot of smaller leaves are ideal for this purpose. It should however be noted that there are other ways to provide fry with good shelters. Newly hatched fry can for instance hide among larger marbles on the bottom of the aquarium. Caves, roots, stones and artificial aquarium decoration will also give the fry hiding places where they can stay out of harms way.

A plant relies on photosynthesis and light is therefore essential to it. A fish only aquarium requires little light, but if you wish to keep a densely planted aquarium you might be forced to install new lights. Fluorescent light is better than the standard incandescent light in planted aquarium. Some plant species are very demanding in require even stronger light than the fluorescent, but these species are not recommended for beginners. Fluorescent lights are more expensive than incandescent lights, but fluorescent lights will on the other hand burn cooler and use less electricity. Java Fern and Java Moss are two examples of suitable beginner species. They are tough plants that can survive in a wide range of pH-values and water hardiness. They can even be kept in a slightly brackish aquarium, such as a Molly aquarium. Unlike many other aquatic plants, Java Fern should not be planted in the substrate in the aquarium. Java Fern should instead be attached to rock, wood or aquarium decorations where it will form roots. Once your have purchased your first Java Fern or Java Moss, the plants will propagate themselves. New plants will develop on the old plants, and eventually break off. You can attach these tiny plants to some type of decoration in the aquarium and wait for them to grow large.

You’ve finally decided to introduce a puppy to your household, the big question now of course, is what type of dog are you going to get?

For some of us this is fairly easy to answer as we’re partial to a certain breed. For others it can be a tough decision.

Should you get a big dog, a small dog or one that’s partway in between?

One that has long hair, or perhaps a short coated breed that requires minimal grooming?

A dog that will fit in well with your children or do you want one for companionship?

These are just some of the things you need to ask yourself before you can start narrowing down the breed of dog you’re after.

As you no doubt have already discovered dogs come in many shapes and sizes, some require more exercise than others, some need special grooming, some still might be pre-disposed to certain medical conditions.

One of the best places to start is to narrow the field down by
eliminating what you don’t want/can’t have.

If you live in a small, confined area it may be too hard for you to give a larger breed the exercise it will need. So stick with the smaller/miniature breeds.

If you know that you won’t have the time to maintain/groom a dog that requires it, don’t select a dog that will need constant attention unless you have the ability to take it to a dog groomers etc.

If you have small children make sure you choose a dog that can both grow with them and has the temperament to handle a bit of rough treatment. Some dogs are not suitable for small children, they can be snappy, while others, often the medium to large breeds, are well suited to the roughhousing they will endure.

For the elderly, often a smaller dog is great for companionship, and they don’t require anywhere near as much exercise as the larger dogs.

Once you’ve narrowed that list down, do some more research. Talk with breeders, your vet, local animal welfare, canine association etc. and get all the information you can on the breeds you’re choosing from. If you’re not fussed on whether it’s a purebred or not and are happy to rescue one from the pound/welfare ask as many questions about it as you can to try and determine whether the pup will fit into your lifestyle.

Now that you’ve chosen your breed do some more research. Ask around and find out who are the reputable breeders of your chosen breed, follow up by making sure they will allow you to see the parent(s) of the puppy, and will let you visit their kennels. Check with the vet to see if they have any knowledge of the breeder and can help you ascertain whether they get their regular checkups, puppy vaccinations etc.

After all that comes the hardest part of all: waiting. Once you’ve chosen your breed, selected the breeder and picked out your puppy you’ll find yourself having to wait until the pup is at least eight weeks old until you can bring it home. To help make the time go quicker, use it to prepare your house for the new arrival.

V.Brown is a long time dog owner/lover. And after recently acquiring another new pup has decided to share her tips as she once again puts them to practice.
http://www.freewebs.com/dogzspotz/index.htm

Great danes employ significant features. One can infer some information about the eye and coat color, and nose and ear shape from some specifications observed. These features are the well known examples of the effects of a great dane’s DNA. In order to understand why our great dane’s have these remarkable physical properties, we must first understand their background.

Each great dane carries two sets of genetics. These genetics are passed from the dog’s parents. These sets of genes can be very similar to each other or may be so different that one can be suspicious about the dog’s identity. Physical and emotional properties of the dog in his/her future life is partially determined by these genes: i.e, according to the similarity level in a great dane’s genes, his/her remarkable features possess their role.

Now that we’ve discussed the way in which your dog has received its genetic makings, we can turn our attention to one of the most interesting features of your great dane: it’s coat color. The colors that are most frequently observed on great danes are black, white, mantle and merle. Each color is determined by the genetic properties of the dog and these can be classified in three major groups: A-series, E-series and D-series.

A-series genes have an impact on the dog’s coat color incorporating two forms of melanin. As a result of the different types of melanin pigment in your great dane’s genes, several color ranges can be found: namely, black, brown and saddle. E-series genes employ yellow/red pigment in your dog’s body, and as can be seen in Yellow Labradors and Irish Settlers as well. Now for the curious, but interesting D-series genes: check the existence of recessive genes. When one is found, D-series turn the blue pigment on and provide the body with blue instead of black previously injected by A-series.

Nevertheless, an additional remarkable feature of your Great Dane is his/her ears. Most people are surprised to find that their great dane does not have ears which stand straight up. Actually, in their natural state, your pet’s ears will flop down around his face, much like the ears of a Labrador. Most people decide to have their Great Dane’s ears cropped between the ages of 6-8 weeks old. Despite this information, cropping is not a necessary procedure, as it offers no benefits for your pet.

Jen Carter is team member of Dynamite Great Danes, a great danes ranch owned by Gale Renz. You may publish this article only if you do modify it in any way.

Making our lives better includes protecting our families, and also included in this category is the family pet. This once wild animal has become an integral part of the modern family, and there are many laws devoted to stopping abuses to pets. What is lacking in the modern family is proving a means to recover the family pet, if they should ever become lost. Ensuring that a lost pet will be returned to its owners should be a number one priority, because the loss of a family pet can be a very devastating time.

Fortunately there are organizations that provide services to increase the chances of recovering a family pet if they should ever become loss. One such company that combines the pet identification tag and the Internet is RecoveryPets.Com, they provide a service that assigns the pet a unique tracking number, and a web page on their site. This page includes a complete pet description, a photograph of the pet, and up to ten contact numbers or email addresses. So if a stranger finds the pet, they can quickly identify the owner by entering the unique tracking number on the website and the contact information will be displayed.

The process involved is very simple, once the pet has been registered for the service the registrant will receive a metal pet tag that contains the unique identification number, and the RecoveryPets.Com website address. If the pet should ever become loss the finder logs onto the website, and enters the unique identification number into a form field, and the pet owners information will be displayed.

The company is also making efforts to partner with organizations that lost pets are returned to, including the Humane Society, S.P.C.A., and various other pet shelter organizations. The goal is to provide a one-stop location for these organizations to go to when they have a lost pet with the RecoveryPets.Com identification tag on the collar. If you are a pet owner and would like to get more information on the services provided by RecoveryPets.Com, or would like to register your pet for their service, you can visit their website at: http://www.recoverypets.com

Thaddeus Collins is the owner of RecoveryPets.Com and they specialize in the global recovery of lost pets using a unique tracking number. For more information visit http://www.recoverypets.com

If you have been thinking of getting a new dog, have you considered all the options available to you? The obvious choice people make, when considering a new dog is to go to a specialized dog breeder. A good dog breeder will be able to sell you a puppy that has been checked for genetic problems, diseases etc and will very often provide you with a high quality pedigree dog that should be free from problems that plague a lot of dogs.

This is ideal for a lot of people but of course will come at a price. There is an alternative - adopting a puppy or adult dog.

There are lots of dogs that are without homes at animal shelters or humane societies. These animals are often a victim of circumstance. Either an owner has died, or an elderly person cannot cope any more. Sadly through no fault of their own, they have ended up homeless. Adopting a dog, may be a great way to offer a loving home to one of these dogs.

A lot of people are concerned that they may end up with an unhealthy dog, or a dog that may be aggressive by getting one from a shelter. Most animal shelters will check a dog for good health and good temperament, so if there are any problems you will be told about them. Also, a lot of shelters offer in-house training to increase the chances of a dog finding a new home. Which is great for everybody!

The best way to go about adopting a dog is to pay a visit to your nearest animal shelter. Explain to the staff there, what kind of dog would suit you and your family. Bear in mind that if you have very small children, getting a large dog may not be a good idea. Similarly if you have an apartment, maybe think about getting a small dog that doesn’t require vast amounts of exercise. A bit of forethought before you arrive will make finding the perfect dog for you that much easier.

When you bring your new dog home, try and imagine things from her perspective. Your new dog has probably been through a lot in the past so bringing her to yet another new home may well be overwhelming. The best thing to do is keep her on a leash at first, and gradually introduce her to your home letting her sniff each room until she has got a feel for her new surroundings. Also take her to relieve her bladder outside if she has been on a long car journey with you.
Once she has settled down, allow her to walk freely off the leash inside your home (not outside off the leash yet). This will give her a chance to find ‘her’ spot. By this I mean her favorite place. We all have a favorite spot where we like to go, dogs are no different. If you have bought a new dog bed or blanket for your new arrival, this may be the place to put it. She will naturally go to that spot so having a comfy new bed there will help her settle in.

Your new dog may be very quiet for the first few days but don’t worry, this is part of the settling in process. After a short while your dog will be a fully settled in new member of the family.

Adopting from an animal shelter is a great way to get a new companion and a great way to make a new and happy future for your dog.

Article By Andrew Strachan. Find lots more information about different dog breeds and types of dogs at www.types-of-dogs.com. Lots of help and advice too.