Showing 12 posts from October 2008
I really wouldn’t call myself superstitious, at least I didn’t think I was until I started to think about it. That brought back a memory of one night when I was unable to sleep. It was 3 a.m. and I was sitting at the window. Suddenly something caught my eye. It was a black cat crossing the street a few doors away. Have to admit, the hairs on the back of my neck suddenly stood up.
* Everyone has heard that a black cat crossing your path is supposed to mean bad luck. But, those who do not believe in such superstitions say that we only believe such things because so many people believe it to be true. And if so many people believe it to be true there must be some grain of truth to it?? Right? Maybe not?
* This is rather interesting and not something I expected to hear. Or at least I was hoping that things like this didn’t happen. According to The Humane Society, black cats are most often abused during the month of October. Now that is really sad!
* Now I wonder if I set out a saucer of milk, could I entice a black cat onto my porch? Apparently in Scotland, spotting a black cat in this particular location, means that you will come into money!
* Now this is odd, but the color of the fur does come into play with some people who are allergic to cats. Apparently the darker the cat, the more severe the symptoms. It makes no sense to me, but apparently it is a factor.
* I wish that I hadn’t come across this one. Kind of gives you shivers. A black cat that crosses your path by moonlight is supposed to mean death according to an old Irish superstition.
* If you are walking down the street in October and a black cat walks towards you, apparently it’s bringing good luck with him. The opposite is true if he walks away from you. It seems that how a black cat crosses your path is of significance.
* It is quite likely that black cats have attracted such attention because they were once associated with witches. There is even information concerning black cats being burned along with witches in the 17th century.
* Not quite sure how this works, but apparently it is supposed to be good luck if you wear a cat on an amulet.
* In England, it is white cats that are considered unlucky. Black cats could actually bring you luck. Living on this side of the pond, perhaps it would be wise to have one of each just to be on the safe side.
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* Everyone has heard that a black cat crossing your path is supposed to mean bad luck. But, those who do not believe in such superstitions say that we only believe such things because so many people believe it to be true. And if so many people believe it to be true there must be some grain of truth to it?? Right? Maybe not?
* This is rather interesting and not something I expected to hear. Or at least I was hoping that things like this didn’t happen. According to The Humane Society, black cats are most often abused during the month of October. Now that is really sad!
* Now I wonder if I set out a saucer of milk, could I entice a black cat onto my porch? Apparently in Scotland, spotting a black cat in this particular location, means that you will come into money!
* Now this is odd, but the color of the fur does come into play with some people who are allergic to cats. Apparently the darker the cat, the more severe the symptoms. It makes no sense to me, but apparently it is a factor.
* I wish that I hadn’t come across this one. Kind of gives you shivers. A black cat that crosses your path by moonlight is supposed to mean death according to an old Irish superstition.
* If you are walking down the street in October and a black cat walks towards you, apparently it’s bringing good luck with him. The opposite is true if he walks away from you. It seems that how a black cat crosses your path is of significance.
* It is quite likely that black cats have attracted such attention because they were once associated with witches. There is even information concerning black cats being burned along with witches in the 17th century.
* Not quite sure how this works, but apparently it is supposed to be good luck if you wear a cat on an amulet.
* In England, it is white cats that are considered unlucky. Black cats could actually bring you luck. Living on this side of the pond, perhaps it would be wise to have one of each just to be on the safe side.
All articles copyright bigpawdesigns.com. Do not repost or copy without permission.
View more at www.bigpawdesigns.com
The Brittany Spaniel most likely has his beginnings in the province of Brittany, located in France during the middle of the 1800s. It is thought by some that he may be the result of crossing a French Spaniel with an English Setter.
Originally, they were trained to flush game from thick underbrush for their masters who were waiting with their guns nearby. This particular breed is the smallest of the pointers. He did not make an appearance in the United States until 1931. Today, he is still used for a gundog. In fact, he remains one of the most popular dogs used for bird hunting.
The Brittany Spaniel is known for his long legs that give him the appearance of being a great runner of distance. Indeed, he can cover quite a distance having the agility as well as the appearance.
Even though his tail is short, it is often docked to four inches. This is mainly to prevent any damage while he is going through thick growth during a hunting excursion. A strong and powerful dog with the ability to move quickly, the Brittany Spaniel is energetic. The Brittany Spaniel needs lots of exercise to maintain his health as well as to keep him occupied and out of mischief.
He does best if an active person such as an avid sportsman owns him. He needs lots of space; therefore, an apartment is not the best home for him. Likewise, being cooped up in a cage is not an acceptable method for housing this type of dog. He requires lots of activity to keep him occupied and content.
Brittany Spaniels are gentle and even tempered. They make excellent pets in addition to being excellent gun dogs. If they are raised with children from an early age, they will get along quite nicely with them. Socialization should begin early to prevent timidity.
Additionally, the dog should become accustomed to loud noises. In fact, if he is not properly trained and acclimated to his surroundings, he can become excessively timid. If trained properly, the Brittany Spaniel is very flexible and easily adapts from one situation or terrain to another.
Obedience training is usually quite easy since this breed is eager to please its master as well as being quite intelligent. Positive reinforcement produces the best results toward this end.
The Brittany Spaniel is a medium size. The adult dog usually weighs between 16-18 kg or 35-40 lbs. Bitches usually weigh between 14-18 kg or 30-40 lbs. The typical height of the adult male falls between 43-53 cm or 17-21 inches. The height of bitches usually falls between 46-51 cm or 18-20 inches. The length of his body is the same as the height of his body if measured at his shoulders.
Their coloring is mainly white, although patches of orange, roan, or liver occur. The ears of this breed show fringing and the legs appear to be feathered somewhat. The coat of a Brittany Spaniel is flat and of medium length. It may even appear wavy, although curly is never acceptable. The coat is neither silky nor rough and wiry, but rather, falls somewhere in between the two ends of the spectrum.
A regular brushing is sufficient to keep it under control. A dry shampoo or a quick bath can be used if desired to keep the dog’s coat under control. If you are planning to show the dog, professional grooming is recommended. At the very least, a professional trim can do wonders for the appearance of your dog.
Health issues that may affect the Brittany Spaniel include hip dysplasia, a degenerative joint disease, and seizures. Occasionally, problems such as glaucoma or spinal paralysis occur, but these are typically inherited, and expected, from the parents. However, for the most part, this type of dog is quite healthy and hardy in nature.
This breed is recognized by the CKC or Continental Kennel Club, FCI or Fédération Cynologique Internationale, AKC or American Kennel Club, UKC or United Kennel Club, KCGB or Kennel Club of Great Britain, CKC or Canadian Kennel Club,
ANKC or Australian National Kennel Club, NKC or National Kennel Club,
NZKC or New Zealand Kennel Club, APRI or American Pet Registry Inc., and
ACR or American Canine Registry.
The average lifespan of the Brittany Spaniel is about ten to twelve years. He is placed in the gundog or sporting group.
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Providing your dog with the proper nutrition is an important part of the owner’s responsibility. Various types of dog food are available on the market today and can be purchased at most supermarkets, discount stores, and pet stores. Dog foods can be broken up into four basic categories including dry, moist, semi-moist, and special diet.
Moist dog foods held the greater portion of the market for dog food for many years. Available in easy to carry and easy to store tin cans, canned or moist dog food was quite popular. However, over the years, this type of diet became less popular as the development of balanced nutrition for dogs in the form of dry dog food occurred.
Semi-moist dog food is typically manufactured in a sealed packet to maintain freshness and a specific level of moistness. This type of dog food was not intended to provide a completely balanced diet for dogs. Rather, it was meant to be included in a diet plan that also incorporated additives such as carbohydrate supplements.
These supplements were usually a type of dog biscuit product. Unfortunately, many owners also included a high protein dry dog food with their pet’s allocation of semi-moist food. Eventually, this led to an overweight dog. Today, semi-moist dog food holds a limited portion of the market.
Dry dog foods have come a long way from years ago. Today’s dry dog foods are complete feeds that provide a balanced diet that includes all of the important nutrients that dogs need to stay healthy. They have cornered the market due to their ease of preparation. Most dry feeds simply require that they be poured into the dog’s dish. Some specialty feeds necessitate the addition of a small amount of hot water to create gravy.
Special diet dog foods have entered the market over the last few decades. Within this market, several varieties exist, each of which falls into either a category for healthy dogs or a category for sickly dogs. The category for healthy dogs can further be broken down into three classifications.
The first is a special diet for puppies that targets growth needs in young, healthy animals. Next, pet owners will find dog foods that contain nutrients to help sustain overly active dogs. Finally, a dog food that caters to the needs of senior dogs who have slowed down, not only in growth, but also, in activity.
Dog food that is designed to cater to the needs of unhealthy dogs is usually prepared with specific diseases in mind. For example, a dog with kidney problems would be prescribed a diet that controlled the amount of protein that is included in the dog food that he receives. Special diet dog foods for sick dogs are usually only available at the veterinarian’s office.
The need for balanced nutrition for dogs exists. If your pet is overweight, then you need to change his diet. If your pet is underweight, the same thing applies. However, it is essential to consult your pet’s veterinarian before incorporating any changes.
All articles copyright bigpawdesigns.com. Do not repost or copy without permission.
View more at www.bigpawdesigns.com
Moist dog foods held the greater portion of the market for dog food for many years. Available in easy to carry and easy to store tin cans, canned or moist dog food was quite popular. However, over the years, this type of diet became less popular as the development of balanced nutrition for dogs in the form of dry dog food occurred.
Semi-moist dog food is typically manufactured in a sealed packet to maintain freshness and a specific level of moistness. This type of dog food was not intended to provide a completely balanced diet for dogs. Rather, it was meant to be included in a diet plan that also incorporated additives such as carbohydrate supplements.
These supplements were usually a type of dog biscuit product. Unfortunately, many owners also included a high protein dry dog food with their pet’s allocation of semi-moist food. Eventually, this led to an overweight dog. Today, semi-moist dog food holds a limited portion of the market.
Dry dog foods have come a long way from years ago. Today’s dry dog foods are complete feeds that provide a balanced diet that includes all of the important nutrients that dogs need to stay healthy. They have cornered the market due to their ease of preparation. Most dry feeds simply require that they be poured into the dog’s dish. Some specialty feeds necessitate the addition of a small amount of hot water to create gravy.
Special diet dog foods have entered the market over the last few decades. Within this market, several varieties exist, each of which falls into either a category for healthy dogs or a category for sickly dogs. The category for healthy dogs can further be broken down into three classifications.
The first is a special diet for puppies that targets growth needs in young, healthy animals. Next, pet owners will find dog foods that contain nutrients to help sustain overly active dogs. Finally, a dog food that caters to the needs of senior dogs who have slowed down, not only in growth, but also, in activity.
Dog food that is designed to cater to the needs of unhealthy dogs is usually prepared with specific diseases in mind. For example, a dog with kidney problems would be prescribed a diet that controlled the amount of protein that is included in the dog food that he receives. Special diet dog foods for sick dogs are usually only available at the veterinarian’s office.
The need for balanced nutrition for dogs exists. If your pet is overweight, then you need to change his diet. If your pet is underweight, the same thing applies. However, it is essential to consult your pet’s veterinarian before incorporating any changes.
All articles copyright bigpawdesigns.com. Do not repost or copy without permission.
View more at www.bigpawdesigns.com
The Pomapoo (also known as a Pompoo) is not a purebred dog but is a cross between a Pomeranian and a Poodle. There is now a growing trend towards designer dogs, and the Pomapoo is one of the latest in a variety of Poodle hybrids.
The Pomapoo is generally a sweet –tempered, intelligent dog that makes a good family pet. They are easy to train, adapt well to strangers and are very loyal and devoted to their owners. These dogs are also very active and love company.
As with all Poodle crosses, the Poodle coat is often dominant and will usually produce a low-shedding, odourless coat, which is said to be hypoallergenic. This gives the breed a wavy to curly coat, with a face and tail that can resemble either a Poodle or a Pomeranian. The coat will need grooming daily to remove any knots or tangles and will require clipping on a regular basis.
Not all of these designer dogs are bred 50 % purebred to 50% purebred, as it is very common for breeders to breed multi-generation crosses. There is no guarantee that each dog will display characteristics of both breeds, as it may inherit more of one breed’s characteristics than the other. Using two known breeds, rather than a combination of unknown breeds, will ensure that at least some known characteristics will be displayed. The breed is not recognised by the American or Canadian Kennel Club, but is recognised by the American Canine Hybrid Club as the Pom-A-Poo.
Many people believe that most poodle hybrids are healthier than purebreds, but this fact cannot be proved either way. It is, however, true that by mixing genes you get more variables and less chance of increasing the bad genes. Most poodle hybrids are very attractive with beautiful coats, which come in a variety of colours. This is certainly true of the pretty little Pomapoo.
All articles copyright bigpawdesigns.com. Do not repost or copy without permission.
View more at www.bigpawdesigns.com
The Pomapoo is generally a sweet –tempered, intelligent dog that makes a good family pet. They are easy to train, adapt well to strangers and are very loyal and devoted to their owners. These dogs are also very active and love company.
As with all Poodle crosses, the Poodle coat is often dominant and will usually produce a low-shedding, odourless coat, which is said to be hypoallergenic. This gives the breed a wavy to curly coat, with a face and tail that can resemble either a Poodle or a Pomeranian. The coat will need grooming daily to remove any knots or tangles and will require clipping on a regular basis.
Not all of these designer dogs are bred 50 % purebred to 50% purebred, as it is very common for breeders to breed multi-generation crosses. There is no guarantee that each dog will display characteristics of both breeds, as it may inherit more of one breed’s characteristics than the other. Using two known breeds, rather than a combination of unknown breeds, will ensure that at least some known characteristics will be displayed. The breed is not recognised by the American or Canadian Kennel Club, but is recognised by the American Canine Hybrid Club as the Pom-A-Poo.
Many people believe that most poodle hybrids are healthier than purebreds, but this fact cannot be proved either way. It is, however, true that by mixing genes you get more variables and less chance of increasing the bad genes. Most poodle hybrids are very attractive with beautiful coats, which come in a variety of colours. This is certainly true of the pretty little Pomapoo.
All articles copyright bigpawdesigns.com. Do not repost or copy without permission.
View more at www.bigpawdesigns.com
