How Owning A Dog Can Improve Your Health

f_21310739252_bobcat.jpgHave you ever had the pleasure of having a dog as a pet? Are you aware of the many health benefits that owning a dog can bring? I am a bit biased I suppose because I have always loved having a dog around the house, but I find it hard to understand why more people do not take the plunge and own a dog. In this article I write about the ways in which a dog can help and improve peoples health.

Owning a dog can help people who are often stressed out in their life. Going out in the garden or in the local park and throwing a ball to my dog to fetch, often brings a smile to my face. I can see my dog wagging her tail in enjoyment as she retrieves the ball, she then drops the ball at my feet in the hope that I will throw it again. As she runs full speed after the ball again, I just stand their in amazement at the sheer power of her. Being somebody myself who has always struggled to cope with stress, I find this whole experience helps me in a number of ways. As well as bringing the smile to my face as previously mentioned, which of course is showing that I am happy, this game is helping me to take my mind off all of the things that I was worrying about.

When back in the house the dog shows me a lot of love and likes to cuddle up with various members of our family on the sofa, including me of course. This makes our home so much cosier and warmer, this itself helps in reducing the amount that I stress. The warmth and love always makes me feel better and helps me to think in a more positive way. There is nothing worse for somebody like myself than spending long periods on my own as this makes my mind start to wonder, I basically start to think too much about aspects of my life and the future. This thinking is probably better described as worrying.

Taking the dog on these walks to the park is also a great form of exercise for me. I am sure that I do not have to explain the health benefits of exercise to the readers of this article, but you can see that this is another good reason for owning a dog. When walking the dog, the fresh air and the time away from the house helps me to clear my mind. As an example, if my wife or children are starting to annoy or nag me, which in turn can lead me to becoming a bit stressed, this is then the time that I will put the dog on her lead and take her for a walk. Sometimes I do this eight times a day! I hope that when I return home that the house will be a lot calmer and a more relaxed place to be.

As you can probably tell, I gain a lot of pleasure out of having a dog as a pet and I am sure that more people could as well, if only they were willing to give it a try.

About Saltwater Aquarium Fish! – Beautiful…

f_11310739250_cheetah1-bg.jpgSaltwater aquarium fish are amongst the most beautiful of animals to be found anywhere in the world. A variety of saltwater aquarium fish can be housed in your marine tank provided you know what they need in terms of care, such as feeding, environment, competitors and space to grow.

Any marine enthusiast will tell you that setting up a marine tank is tricky and so is choosing the right saltwater aquarium fish! This is because it

Keep Your Dogs Safe

f_01310739256_image005.jpgDogs have been “man’s best friend” for thousands of years. Since dogs watch over their owners, it’s only right that dog-loving humans keep their pets safe in return. And now, dogs need our extra attention more than ever. With a little thought, you can easily create a safe home for your precious pups.

As you know, dogs have a keen curiosity. Take a look at your home from your puppy’s perspective and you’ll likely find all sorts of interesting items to check out. You may not realize that dogs first sniff, then mouth things to inspect them. So it’s especially important that you keep the following out of your dog’s reach:

insect traps
phone and electric cords
ashtrays and cigarettes
open doors and windows
rubber bands
housecleaning chemicals
candles
Christmas tree ornaments
uncovered trash cans
medications
foodstuffs like: chocolate and grapes
plastic bags
batteries
anti-freeze
valuable items, like jewelry, photos, and books

Don’t forget the great outdoors when inspecting your dog’s area. Dogs, especially puppies, find plants fun playthings. They love to dig in the dirt or pull branches off shrubs. Because of this, make sure the plants in and around your home aren’t a health risk to your dog. The following common house and garden plants are toxic to dogs:

English ivy
dieffenbachia
mistletoe
philodendron
elephant ear
caladium
boxwood
holly berry
azaleas
chinaberry trees
oleander
wisteria
hydrangea

Other ways to protect your pup include keeping him or her safely confined to your home. Wandering dogs are more likely to be injured by vehicles or meet up with unkind people.

Make sure your yard is fenced and the fencing is tall enough and strong enough to keep your dog from roaming. Many dogs try to dig out under the fence, so it’s crucial you regularly check for gaps around the fence perimeter. Teach everyone in your family to carefully close doors and keep gates latched.

Additionally, it’s important that your pet wears a collar with an identification tag at all times, in the event he or she gets lost. In fact, most cities require that all dogs wear a collar and tag. This way, it’s more likely your dog will be returned home safely to you. You may also consider microchipping, where a small silicone chip containing your contact information is painlessly inserted under the dog’s skin. Most animal shelters and veterinarians automatically scan lost pets in search of a microchip. However, an identification tag will be useful if your puppy is found by an average citizen.

If you reside in an area prone to natural disasters, keep an emergency pet supply kit handy. Include a week’s worth of food and water, as well as any medication your dog needs. Don’t forget a photo of your pet too, in case you’re separated at any time.