“A person can learn a lot from a dog, even a loopy one like ours. Marley taught me about living each day with unbridled exuberance and joy, about seizing the moment and following your heart. He taught me to appreciate the simple things-a walk in the woods, a fresh snowfall, and a nap in a shaft of winter sunlight. And as he grew old and achy, he taught me about optimism in the face of adversity. Mostly, he taught me about friendship and selflessness and, above all else, unwavering loyalty.”

― John Grogan, Marley & Me: Love and Life with the World’s Worst Dog

“Animal lovers are a special breed of humans, generous of spirit, full of empathy, perhaps a little prone to sentimentality and with hearts as big as a cloudless sky”

― John Grogan, Marley & Me Illustrated Edition: Life and Love with the World’s Worst Dog

“A dog has no use for fancy cars or big homes or designer clothes. Status symbol means nothing to him. A waterlogged stick will do just fine. A dog judges others not by their color or creed or class but by who they are inside. A dog doesn’t care if you are rich or poor, educated or illiterate, clever or dull. Give him your heart and he will give you his. It was really quite simple, and yet we humans, so much wiser and more sophisticated, have always had trouble figuring out what really counts and what does not. As I wrote that farewell column to Marley, I realized it was all right there in front of us, if only we opened our eyes. Sometimes it took a dog with bad breath, worse manners, and pure intentions to help us see.”

― John Grogan

“. . . owning a dog always ended with this sadness because dogs just don’t live as long as people do.”

― John Grogan, Marley & Me: Love and Life with the World’s Worst Dog

“It’s just the most amazing thing to love a dog, isn’t it? It makes our relationships with people seem as boring as a bowl of oatmeal.”

― John Grogan, Marley & Me: Love and Life with the World’s Worst Dog

“Such short little lives our pets have to spend with us, and they spend most of it waiting for us to come home each day.

It is amazing how much love and laughter they bring into our lives and even how much closer we become with each other because of them.”

― John Grogan, Marley & Me: Love and Life with the World’s Worst Dog

“Dogs are great. Bad dogs, if you can really call them that, are perhaps the greatest of them all.”

― John Grogan, Marley & Me: Love and Life with the World’s Worst Dog

“Then I dropped my forehead against his and sat there for a long time, as if I could telegraph a message through our two skulls, from my brain to his. I wanted to make him understand some things.

You know all that stuff we’ve always said about you?” I whispered. “What a total pain you are? Don’t believe it. Don’t believe it for a minute, Marley.” He needed to know that, and something more, too. There was something I had never told him, that no one ever had. I wanted him to hear it before he went.

Marley,” I said. “You are a great dog.”

― John Grogan, Marley & Me: Love and Life with the World’s Worst Dog

“There’s no such thing as a bad dog, just a bad owner.”

― John Grogan, Marley & Me: Love and Life with the World’s Worst Dog

“I had never thought of Marley as any kind of model, but sitting there sipping my beer, I was aware that maybe he held the secret for a good life. Never slow down, never look back, live each day w/ adolescent verve and spunk and curiosity and playfulness.”

― John Grogan, Marley & Me Illustrated Edition: Life and Love with the World’s Worst Dog

“In the English language, it all comes down to this: Twenty-six letters, when combined correctly, can create magic. Twenty -six letters form the foundation of a free, informed society.”

― John Grogan, Bad Dogs Have More Fun: Selected Writings on Family, Animals, and Life from the Philadelphia Inquirer

“In a dog’s life, some plaster would fall, some cushions would open, some rugs would shred. Like any relationship, this one had its costs. They were costs we came to accept and balance against the joy and amusement and protection and companionship he gave us.”

― John Grogan, Marley & Me: Love and Life with the World’s Worst Dog

“Only then did I see. Something was amiss with Patrick’s Snap-On one piece, or “onesie” as we manly dads like to call it. His chubby thighs, I now realized, were squeezed into the armholes, which were so tight they must have been cutting off his circulation. The collared neck hung between his legs like an udder. Up top, Patrick’s head stuck out through the unsnapped crotch, and his arms were lost somewhere in the billowing pant legs. It was quite a look.”

― John Grogan, Marley & Me Illustrated Edition: Life and Love with the World’s Worst Dog

“If you still think you’re a young pup then you are, no matter what the calendar says”

― John Grogan, Marley & Me: Love and Life with the World’s Worst Dog

“In a world of bosses, you are your own master”

― John Grogan, Marley & Me

“Such short little lives our pets have to spend with us, and they spend most of it waiting for us to come home each day.”

― John Grogan, Marley & Me: Love and Life with the World’s Worst Dog

“He taught us the art of unqualified love. How to give it, how to accept it. Where there is that, most other pieces fall into place.”

― John Grogan, Marley & Me: Love and Life with the World’s Worst Dog

“Just so you know Labrador retrievers do not howl. Begals Howl. Wolves howl. Labs do not howl, at least not well. Marley attempted twice to howl, both times in answer to a passing police siren, tossing back his head, forming his mouth into an O shape, and letting loose the most pathetic sound I have ever heard, more like gargling than answering the call of the wild. But now, no question about it he was howling.”

― John Grogan, Marley: A Dog like No Other

“A dog doesn’t care if you’re rich or poor, educated or illiterate, clever or dull. Give him your heart and he will give you his.”

― John Grogan, Marley & Me: Love and Life with the World’s Worst Dog

“(Referring to their hens/chickens)

We now had three girls and one testosterone-pumped guy bird that spent every walking minute doing of three things: pursuing sex, having sex or crowing boastfully about the sex he had just scored. Jenny observed that roosters are what men would be if left to their own devices, with no social conventions to rein in their baser instincts, and I couldn’t disagree. I had to admit, I kind of admired the lucky bastard.”

― John Grogan, Marley & Me: Love and Life with the World’s Worst Dog

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This one has been doing rounds on all the social networking sites and I found it really heart touching. If you like it, share it. A really important message is conveyed through this poem and even if this helps and saves one dog from being abandoned it would mean a lot.

“Woof!” I said as you started the car,
“Hooray!” I said, it’s my first time afar.
The scents we were passing were all new to me,
For it was my first introduction to this mystery.
As we got out of the car I embraced you with joy,
After all you remembered to bring my favourite toy!
You threw it once or twice, of which I retrieved,
But on the third it seemed you were ready to leave.
You threw it long and hard and I chased it like lightning,
But when I turned to bring it back I saw a sight quite frightening.

I gripped my toy hard as I tried to comprehend
What it was I did wrong to make our relationship end.
You walked back to your car as I sat there still loyal.
Why am I subservient and you so royal?
Your engine started, and you peeled out into the night,
You didn’t even care about my overwhelming fright.
As I sat in my pose determined you would come back,
The sun faded behind me while the surroundings turned black.
Day after day I stayed in that park,
Lying… waiting… too feeble to bark.
As I lay there dying thinking of you master,
I asked myself how I got into this horrifying disaster.
With my last breath of life, I whispered your name
Then I collapsed in a heap overrun by pain.
Why didn’t you love me master? Why didn’t you care?
Had I no significance, was I just a clump of hair?
I stayed there master and I waited for you
I guess taking care of me was just too much to do.
I’m gone now master, no more You-and-I
But what I can’t figure out is why you didn’t even say goodbye…

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Just let your dog’s tail be. Cutting it could land you behind bars, as the mutilation of pets for cosmetic reasons has been made an offence.

An advisory sent out by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) to veterinary councils , colleges, kennel clubs and other institutions likely to carry out such procedures states that practices like docking of tails and cropping of ears will now be punishable with a fine, or imprisonment, or both.

The AWBI acted on a Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organizations petition.

Traditionally, Doberman, Boxer, Great Dane and Cocker Spaniel pups have been subjected to tail docking, but veterinarians say there is no reason for this practice to continue.

“Earlier, it was believed the tail would be a hindrance when the dogs went hunting, but now docking is done for purely cosmetic purposes. Many owners do not even know why they do this,” said Dr Kunal Dev Sharma, veterinarian surgeon at Max Vets Dog and Cat Hospital.

“It all started with Kennel Club of India publishing an article in its magazine, Indian Kennel Gazette, that promoted tail-docking and earcropping practices. Our inhouse research showed these do not have a therapeutic value and were solely for cosmetic purposes,” said Khushboo Gupta, media coordinator of FIAPO. Kennel Club of India said it would respond to the charge after a couple of days. The AWBI advisory states: “The practice of non-therapeutic tail docking and ear cropping is seen in the light of mutilation, which amounts to cruelty to animals as per Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960, and is, therefore , a punishable offence.” Section 11 of the Act makes violations punishable with a fine of up to Rs 100.

“The violator can also be charged under section 428 of IPC that talks about maiming of animals,” said Anjali Sharma , member and

Source: A Times of India Report

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Here are a few images from the ADOPTATHON- Adoption camp for Indian Mixbreed pups and kittens that was held at Bandra Hindu Association Hall, Linking Road, Bandra Mumbai. on the 25th of September 2011.

105 mix-breed pups and kittens were adopted during the Adoptathon. A fish also got adopted at the event.

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Around 105 Mix breed dogs and cats, with a history of abandonment and injury, found new homes on Sunday 25th September 2011 due to Adoptathon, a first-of-its kind adoption event for stray pups and kittens in Mumbai.

Organised by NGO World For All-Animal Care and Adoption founded by Taronesh Bulsara and Ruchi Nadkarni, the 12-hour event from 10 am to 6 pm saw more than 600 animal lovers flock to the Bandra Hindu Association Hall. “The response has been overwhelming. We started off with 20 dogs and 28 cats in the morning, but they got adopted in no time and we had to bring in more. Generally, we are able to rehabilitate about 60 strays a month, but today it has been 105 in a day,” said Taronesh Bulsara.

The purpose of the event, besides rehabilitating the animals, was to promote Indian breeds. The team at World For All made sure that the pets found the right homes by first interviewing prospective families and following it up with a home check-up.

A free three-kilo bag of food and a Pedigree-sponsored vaccination shot was given out to each of the families that adopted the pets. But there’s also a hefty deterrent. Ruchi warns, “We have a clause in our adoption certificate that if a family wants to return a pet, they need to remain guardians till we find another home for it. If they can’t, we levy a fine of Rs 5,000.”

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Cats like to keep themselves clean. If you own a cat you must have already seen the self-grooming capabilities they have. Cats are capable of keeping themselves well-groomed, as they expel as much saliva as they do urine. They use the saliva to clean their fur of dirt and other particles. If you desire to help your cat in grooming, there are numerous things you can do.

Cat grooming by their owners is best accomplished when a cat has been introduced to this at an early age. They will be used to the attention, and will allow you to attend to the grooming tasks without much fuss. The grooming tasks will basically consist of brushing their coat and trimming their nails along with an occasional bath.

Brushing a cat’s fur finishes several objectives. It will help keep their fur clean, knot free and glossy. It will help you to bond with your cat, and also give you the opportunity to check for fleas, ticks, and other parasites. In addition, it will help to reduce shedding, along with possible hairballs, which can cause digestive problems. Preferably, Brushing should be done as a daily task.

Nail clipping is a little trickier than brushing. A cat’s nails need to be kept trimmed. A scratching post is an excellent investment that can help with the task, and save your furniture from being used for the same purpose. When clipping the nail, make sure not to cut the vein or quick in the paw, as this is very painful for the cat. You should try to keep the cat as still as possible. Rewarding this behavior with treats should help. If you are uncomfortable with the nail clipping, it is highly recommended that you get some help from a professional groomer or your veterinarian.

Cats with shorthaired coats need little or no bathing. If you have a cat with a longer haired coat, then this grooming task should be done every one to three months. A sink is a good place to accomplish this routine. First wet the cat, shampoo with a pet shampoo for the cat’s coat and a tearless baby shampoo for his face. Two shampoos will be required for a normal coated cat, while a longer coated cat will require three. Rinse with a mixture of vinegar and water. Keep in mind, although they are groomers themselves, cats do not like baths. It is best to make it as pleasant and quick as possible. When done, dry thoroughly with towels and put the cat in a warm room. If he tolerates it, you can even blow-dry his coat on a low setting. And if your cat objects to being wet, you can purchase cat shampoo in powder form, which doesn’t require rinsing.

Three tasks are basically all you need to do to keep your cat well groomed. Performing these tasks also presents you with an ideal opportunity to give your cat the once-over. Check his ears, mouth, nose, and eyes. This will help you detect any abnormalities or physical problems. And remember, a clean cat is a happy cat.

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Neon Tetra

Many different tetra species are popular in aquariums, including the well-known Neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) and Cardinal tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi), as well as rarer species such as the Congo tetra (Micralestes interruptus) and Serpae tetra (Hyphessobrycon eques).

All tetras are found in a family named Characidae in the order Characiformes. They are comparatively small fishes and many species are popular due to their striking coloration.

The Neon tetra is one of the most popular fish species among novice aquarists since it is sturdy, adaptable and will stay smaller than 2 inches (5 centimeters).
It is also beautiful and will add color to the aquarium with its vibrant blue and red coloration. Using a dark substrate is a way of making this fish look even more stunning.

Another reason behind the popularity of this fish is its peaceful and non-aggressive temperament that makes it suitable in any peaceful community aquariums.

The Neon tetra should never be kept alone since it is a schooling fish. Get at least ten Neon tetras, preferably even more. They will also look much more stunning when they can form a big school in the aquarium, and since they feel less stressed and frightened in a group they will spend more time out in the open.

The Neon tetra is a South American Tetra native to warm rivers in Peru, Colombia and Brazil. The water temperature in your aquarium should therefore be in the 22-25 degrees C range if you want your Neon tetras to thrive.

Your Neon tetras will do better in a planted aquarium than in a barren tank. Sturdy plant species like Java fern can usually be kept even by very inexperienced aquarists. Artificial plants are another alternative that will provide your Neon tetras with a sense of security.

Cardinal Tetra

Ideally use both substrate plants and floating plants in your Tetra aquarium. The floating plants will dim the aquarium light and thereby make the fish feel safer.

As mentioned above, it is an adaptable fish and it can live in acidic as well as slightly alkaline water, from pH 5.5 to pH 7.5. Feed this fish a high quality flake food suitable for tetras, and make sure not to over feed your fish since obesity will seriously harm their health.

If you want to try a more unusual tetra you can for instance choose the Congo tetra. The Congo tetra is not as commonly known as the extremely popular Neon tetra and is usually kept by more experienced aquarists.

Congo tetra

The Congo tetra will require a more active keeper than the Neon tetra; the water must for instance be changed very often since the Congo tetra is sensitive to high levels of soluble waste.

The Congo tetra will do best in an aquarium with strong circulation. Keep the water temperature from 23 to 26 C and the pH in the 6.0 to 7.5 range. Even though your Congo tetra will tolerate a pH above 7.0, it is recommended to keep the water slightly acidic, since this will make the Congo tetra less sensitive.

This tetra is native to the Zaire River basin where the water is quite soft, but it can adapt to harder waters in captivity. Always keep a school of at least five Congo tetras together.

Serpae Tetra

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Today I put together 3 funny T.V.  Commercials for the ‘Pets in advertisements’ category. Enjoy and Share them…

The first advertisement is a Pepsi Commercial which shows how smart dogs can be. They can perform the perfect crime See how he does it.

The second advertisement is of insurance where the Dog is worried about his bone and tries all kind of things to keep his bone safe.

The third is a commercial for a vacuum cleaner. Its how a white dog turns into black because of improper cleaning.

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All bulldog puppies have to deal with a problem, they have to learn to get up on there own. If the owner helps them, they won’t learn and the owner can’t be there to help flip them over 24/7. It is a common thing you see when around any bulldog puppies. Due to their odd body shape, yes it is difficult for them to get up. Everyone seriously needs to calm down, the owner of the video was actually doing the right thing, and people will realize this if they think about it hard enough.

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All the Amazing Secrets of The Macaw Parrot

The macaw parrot is one of the most colorful and lively birds and they originate from the continents of South America and Africa. There are several different types of macaws but the two of the most popular are the Catalina macaw parrot and the blue and yellow macaw parrot. Most of us will remember the macaw parrot from the pirate movies, as they are always seen siting on the shoulder or hand of the pirate captain. The macaws have an history of being with sailors. They were of used by sailors in the past by the sailors who could not speak. The macaw parrots were trained to speak for the sailors.

Blue and Yellow macaw parrot:

Blue and Yellow Macaw Parrot

Blue-and-yellow Macaws are popular as pets partly because of their striking appearance and ability as a talking bird; however, their large size makes accommodation problematic, and they require much more effort and knowledge from owners than more traditional pets such as dogs or cats. They are intelligent and social, so for someone who can provide for their needs, they make good and loving companion parrots. Blue-and-yellow Macaws bond very closely to their owners.

Catalina Macaw Parrot:

Catalina Macaw Parrot

The Catalina Macaw is a hybrid macaw produced by crossing a Scarlet Macaw and a Blue and Gold Macaw, and is a hybrid that occurs naturally in the wild. Generally, the female of the pair is the Blue and Gold, since Scarlet Macaw females are more difficult to locate. The Catalina macaw usually has a yellow orange chest with green on the top of the head and green to green blue, with shadings of orange, on the back of the neck and back. The Catalina Macaws have a long tapered tail similar to that of the Scarlet Macaw. Since the Catalina Macaws look very similar to the Harlequin Macaw, one is sometimes confused for the other.

The lifespan of the macaw ranges from 15 to 30 years depending on how well looked after they are. There are lots you can do to make sure that your macaw parrot lives  longer and one of the most important things you can do as an owner is to make sure your macaw is consistently being given attention. Parrots hate to be bored and being bored usually decreases their lifespan. So always keep them entertained.

As the macaw parrot is a wild animal that came from the forests of Africa and South America, they must be specially treated. Therefore only trained experts should own a macaw because it takes a lot of effort to maintain these beautiful creatures. One of the things owners use to keep their macaws from boredom is to teach them how to talk. Many people don’t realize that the macaw is an amazing talker. Expert trainers are able to teach their macaw parrot to speak several different phrases and words.

Another thing that trainers like to do to keep their parrots happy is to teach them tricks. These tricks include anything from card tricks to ball games. They are amazing thinkers and have the capacity to solve even the most challenging of problems. Next time you visit the local wildlife reserve and they have a macaw parrot as a part of their wildlife, ask the trainers to show you some of the tricks they have taught their parrots. This will give you a good opportunity to learn many things for when you perhaps decide to get your own macaw one day.

So there it is the macaw parrot in a nutshell. If you are thinking about getting your own macaw one day than I suggest you spend a lot of time reading and learning all the different training methods involved with this wonderful creatures. There are a myriad of books and resources out there, just make sure you take in the right information and filter out all the jargon.

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