Window Shopper

I suspect you have already heard about puppy mills but it really does not hit home unless you are really active in trying to stop them. I know. It’s so easy to just forget they exist. It’s so easy to not care about that part of life. It’s so easy to just go about your business because it isn’t happening to you or your pets. But that’s how they get away with so much.

What is a puppy mill? It’s usually a large dog breeding facility that does so under bad conditions. They sell on the internet and to pet shops. If you were to see the conditions that they breed puppies, you would not ever buy another animal online or in a pet shop again. EVER!

The difference between good breeders and puppy mills is that a good breeder uses the best of everything. They love their animals even if they are in a cage part of the day. The cages are clean, neat and are spacious. The food is nutritious and healthful. A health guarantee is also usually given. The dogs have their shots and are seen by a vet periodically. They will check out the person wanting to have one of their dogs. The breeder is careful in all respects concerning the animal and the new owners. The breeder often stays in contact with the new owner to make sure that the dog is properly cared for and will usually take the animal back if things do not work out.

On the other hand, puppy mills have the dogs in small cages, are unclean, food is cheap, inadequate water, no vet sees them, they are not allowed to walk outside of the cage at all. Very often, the cages are outside in the elements; hot, cold, rain, etc. The females have their litters in cramped cages and she lives in that cage until she dies or is too old to breed good puppies anymore. When that happens, she is killed. Females are often forced to breed every time they are able. Puppies are weaned much too early for best profits. With poor breeding comes impure blood lines and the pedigree is in question as well. Many times the papers are faked. And there is a high rate of death in this type of situation. Puppies from such beginnings usually have unusual health problems.

It certainly is time to stop the puppy mills! This horror cannot continue. Unless you are completely sure of the pet site that you are wanting to purchase from, please do not buy online. Reputable dealers and breeders are more than willing to give you all the information that you desire. They will show you what their facility looks like. They will take you on a tour of it and show you the records for the pup you desire. Be sure to visit the place from where you are purchasing. Do not automatically assume that the breeder is reputable without completely checking them out. This is very important. Stop puppy mills by not buying them online. Join those groups that are working toward the elimination of puppy mills altogether.

There is no way that we could ever consider our furry people to be anything but part of our family. They are awesome. We have a senior dog of almost 14 years and about a 5 year old cat named Gizmo who apparently feels that anything in the house is a toy….toy mice, string, blankets, food, feet, noses (ours), if it moves..he attacks it. If it does not move, he attacks it. He is non-discriminating.

The only problem is that I am always needing pet supplies so I go online and get them rather cheaply at Jeffers Pet Supply. Those folks are so nice and the products are great. Our dog has a problem with allergies and itches herself quite a lot. We bought a spray from them that has clove oil in it. That stops the itching fast. We love it. All my supplies are coming from Jeffers Pet supply now. I recommend them.

This is, without a doubt, a problem area for me. Trying to find the best supplies like flea treatments and specialty items for our dog and cats. For instance, our dog has this extreme allergy to fleas, at least that’s what the vet thinks. It started with a “hot spot” or two and has progressed to our dog being literally bald. She has some small, growing hair at the moment.

The real problem area is that with her allergy and what goes with it, she sometimes really smells like a locker room. That comes from her constant itching which, in turn, brings on sores that end up being dried and crusty if we do not watch for that and treat it. The vet charges outrageous prices for a one week fix that wears off in about three. We needed to find something that would take care of it for a cheaper amount but would give her some real relief. We found that in a spray that contains clove oil and healing properties.

Then, we have a couple of cats who are very active but do not go outside. Now that sounds great because then they don’t get fleas. Well, it used to be that way. Now, especially when the dog goes out, she brings them back in with her since the next door people almost never cut their grass. Our dog is very typical in that she ends up trying to get into their yard. She doesn’t get there but it brings out the fleas anyway.

So, buying flea stuff is a trial and error thing. I cannot pay the large prices that the vet wants for the latest and greatest (or so they say..I found that the leading flea treatment only lasts now for about 3 weeks) so I try to find equally effective treatments for a lot less. I get those and the other supplies I need online at a pet supply place. Now, I have tried a couple but I have had success with one or two.

If you are looking for online pet supply places, really do your research first. Find out what the hidden costs, if any, might be. Then, see what the shipping costs will be. I used a supplier that would give me free shipping via UPS as long as I bought over $50 at a time. So, I made a list and bought for 6 months instead of buying every two or three months. I saved a lot on shipping fees. It’s been great.

Every time I ever wanted a pet, I found myself looking at all the cute things in the pet store. You ever do that? The outrageous prices usually kept me from actually wanting to buy those but they were so CUTE!!! But, reality would set in and I walked away from those places. See, those are usually populated by puppy mills, those kennels and farms that breed indiscriminately without regard for the animals at all.

So, instead of going to places like that, I found that the best pets I have ever had would come from rescue leagues and pounds. Not all did, one came from a litter, the dog we have had for over 13 years. But she was the exception. I have had cats and dogs from both places and from other places like them. Thing is, unless you NEED to breed an animal for pureness, like with show animals, then a mixed breed is a great animal.

But my biggest problem in shopping for a pet is that it really is not ME doing the shopping. Have you ever noticed that it’s the pet that chooses you? You can go after all sorts of animals, but in the end, the pet chose you. Every time. They act cute or active. Their little tails go wagging so fast because you paid a micro minute of attention to them and you were impressed. Do not believe, for a moment, that YOU did the choosing. They had it figured out the second you showed your face.

But that’s the best part, isn’t it. I have been in the rescue leagues and pounds and watched some animals just did not feel the need to greet you. They stayed in place, lying down or otherwise occupied. But the one that chose you was making an animal fool of himself. Or in the case of a cat, all you needed there was what I like to call the “grand purr”. Then a walk around to show that the cat does not care…but really does. She was saying to herself “pick me, pick me, pick me!!” but looked as though she simply did not care what you did. So, you got the cat and they gave you the biggest purring that she was able to do.

So, my advice is to go to a rescue league, pound, local litter somewhere, not to the mall pet stores. Then just watch the one that wants to have your attention more than the others. That’s your baby!!!!

Happy Shopping!!!

As stated, I love puppies. Well, I love them but I don’t love to potty train them! On the other hand, there are good things that outweigh the bad..the aforementioned potty training. First, they are so cute. Second, when they grow up, you can have a watchdog. Uh, you can if they are that type of doggie. So, where do I get such a beautiful puppy for myself?

At Salt Creek Kennel, you can find the one you want if you are looking for English bulldog puppies for sale . They’re cuddly. I saw an absolutely adorable Yorkie puppy too. This place is USDA certified kennel. That means they take care of the puppies they sell. Seems they raise them at home. Now that’s a great deal because puppies raised that way are going to be more friendly (socialized) and healthier. Salt Creek Kennel is near Tulsa, Oklahoma.

So, if you are looking for that wonderful English bulldog puppy or a yorkie baby, you are heading to the right place. Because they are committed to customer satisfaction these folks are going to want to keep in touch with you. If they do not have what you are looking for right now, be sure to stay in contact with them for later.

I don’t know where you live but here in the Ozarks, it’s still pretty hot. Even though the kids went back to school, it is not time to let up on taking care of your pets when it’s really hot. In fact, sometimes when it starts to cool down, you start thinking that it isn’t as dangerous for the family pet to get into the car and ride with you. But what happens when you want to go into a store where the pet isn’t allowed to go? Stay in a car that can still heat up to over a hundred degrees? Even cracking the windows will not do the trick. In warm weather, the car can heat up to anywhere from 100 degrees to 120 degrees in a matter of moments. Going into a store for “just a minute” is not acceptable. Leave the beloved family pet at home for his own good.

In our area, you see dogs in the back of a pickup quite often. Sometimes the pet will be up on the tool box riding “in the wind”. The problem is that it’s dangerous and, in some states illegal, to have a dog in the back of a pickup unrestrained. Should the driver slam on the brakes for whatever reason, the dog could easily end up in traffic where he would get hit by a car. Flying trash can hit the dog and hurt him. Too many things can happen to Fido. And I do not want to even go there about cats, reptiles, cows, pigs and so on.

While the pet is outside, please put him in the shade with plenty of water. Too often, owners think that the dog is okay for now, then forget them in the heat or when the sun gets around to that part of the yard. Pets can only get relief in hot weather through panting. They do not sweat like humans. The cooldown comes only when you take the pet inside to the air conditioning.

These days, people cannot let their animals run, if in the city, but in the country it’s still the way things are because the animal is on their own property. However, roaming pets can have problems if they get into freshly fertilized grass, plant food or insecticides. These are deadly to a pet.

Keep the pets out of the swimming pool unless there is someone there to supervise the animal. That someone needs to be old enough to have responsibility, not a young child or a tween.

Are you aware that pets can get sunburned? When I heard about that some years ago, I was actually shocked since they have all that hair. Didn’t know they could actually have that problem. Yet they do. Those pets that have light colored fur or noses are especially subject to things like skin cancer or sunburn. Putting sunblock on them would be wise.

Guess I was avoiding this subject. The ticks and fleas are incredibly bad this year in our area. We have to make sure the pet is protected by flea and tick treatments. Ask you vet about what type of treatments would be best. Some over the counter types can be toxic no matter what you do. If you are already familiar with the treatment product, try going online for a big savings on such things.

Soon, there will be more from the Window Shopper. Happy Shopping!!