Bring some interest, warmth and love into your life

There is a mountain of evidence suggesting that having a pet enhances our sense of well-being: They provide us with a sense of security, companionship, and bring out the carer in us. They can link us to a community. They teach our children a sense of responsibility and enhance their non verbal communication skills. They give us hours of fun. Sometimes they even force us to get some fresh air and exercise!

Want to know more? here are some interesting writings and books on the topic:

 

Pets and people: The psychology of pet ownership

Gunter, B.   London, Whurr publishers Ltd, 1999.

This book examines the relationship between pets and people, and lists the many psychological benefits animal companionship provide. For example: enhancing self-esteem, security for the anxious, companionship for the lonely and even status symbols for the image-conscious. You will learn about the growing phenomenon of pet ownership and on the importance placed upon the relationships by people today. I

Pets in the Network of Family Relationships

S. Bonas, J. McNicholas et al., Journal/Companion Animals and Us, Cambridge University Press, 2000. 

Over the past 30 years there has been a tremendous growth in interest in the multidisciplinary field of human-companion animal interactions and relationships. Considering that pets are kept in at least half of the households in Western societies, this is not a surprise. This book looks at the uniqueness of the relationships people have with their pets, and asks interesting questions such as:  Are we very different from our ancestors in the ways we feel about animals? What does pet-keeping tell us about ourselves and our relationships with people? Can pets be good for our health? Do they help promote empathy for other humans? The book presents some of the newest research from a wide variety of disciplines including anthropology, history, psychology, sociology, human and veterinary medicine.

Health enhancement and companion animal ownership

Beck, A. M., and N. M. Meyers.  Annual Review of Public Health, v. 17, p. 247-57. 1996.

While the relationship between people and  pets explains the bites and zoonotic diseases that occur among those who own them , at the same time this very relationship  appears to enhance the psychological and physiological well-being of many people. 56% of households in the USA currently have animals, a figure typical of developed countries worldwide. We all read much about the fact that people denied human contact do not thrive well, but now all indications are that companion animals play the role of a family member, often a member with the most desired attributes. Animals play a special role with children, assisting in teaching  nurturing behavior and with the appreciation of nonverbal communication. Regular normal interactions with animals can reduce blood pressure and even increase survival rates after a heart attack! For some, pets increase the opportunities to meet people, while they permit others to be alone without feeling lonely.

Companion animals and human health: an overview

Edney, A. T.    Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, v. 88, p. 704p-8p. 1995.

Domestic animals share our environment in a number of manners. One of these is as companions in (or around) our homes. Although there are various species of pets, the large majority are dogs and cats. Sharing our environment with pets has a profound effect on our health. And since about 50% of all households in the Western world have some sort of animal, the effects are far reaching.

This is Hipolito – a darling, adorable little puppy. Needs a loving family!

NEW Arrival: this lovely, adorable tricolor boasts a lovely light gray with salmon and white. She needs a stable and loving home. She eats Baby Cat (by Royal Canine).
Please contact us soon!
Estela:

estelatornquist@gmail.com 011-4773-5858 or 15 44953057.

German Shepherds - Some Tips When Looking For A New Dog

German Shepherds loyal,smart and suited for a wide variety of tasks as well as making great family pets. They’ve been popular ever since they were introduced after the first world war. As they make good family pets, here is a bit of information you may want to have on hand when taking a look at adding a German Shepherd to your family.

Choose a reputable breeder. German Shepherds, just like any other breed, have their share of health problems. You can avoid picking a puppy that’s prone to such problems by choosing a good breeder. A good breeder will be concerned about the health and quality of all their German Shepherds. If you aren’t sure where to look, contact your local breed council for recommendations.

German Shepherd health concerns are breed specific. But there are some general items that an owner of any dog needs to be aware of. Diet plays a huge role in the overall health of a dog. Choose a balanced dog food that is specially formulated for large breeds. There are some who believe in feeding a more natural diet, but that is up to an owner and their veterinarian. Be sure to keep the teeth clean and free of plaque. It is not necessary to brush the teeth, simply providing hard things to chew on will help keep your pet’s teeth clean.

One of the biggest health concerns you will have with your German Shepherd is the chance that it might develop and suffer from hip dysplasia. This is a common ailment among larger breed dogs and affects the joints of the dog’s shoulder and elbow. The effects are similar to the ones people with arthritis suffer from. To avoid this, regularly exercise your German Shepherd but don’t over do it especially with puppies. The first six months are a critical developmental time for a puppy.

Other German Shepherd health concerns include Hemophilia A. This blood clotting disorder affects the males and can be hereditary. Although not subject themselves, the females can be carriers. Pancreatic Insufficiency causes food to not be digested properly. Treatment is a life long process. Bloat or Gastric Torsion is also common. Feeding two smaller meals a day instead of one large one can help prevent this painful condition.

Many of these conditions can be hereditary. With this in mind, be sure to check with your breeder to be sure that the parents do not have these conditions. General German Shepherd health maintenance can be achieved by routinely taking your pet to the vet for vaccinations. These active, social dogs require regular exercise and lots of attention. If you take good care of your German Shepherd, you will have a healthy, happy friend for many years.

David Lee is an expert on pet care. See his site for more information on German Shepherd health.