They are beautiful dogs, but not necessarily good as pets. The domestic dog has been domesticated for a very long time, and most aggressive tendencies have long been bread out of him. The wolf is a survivor in the wild, genetically predisposed to hunting and protecting his young from larger, more dangerous predators.

My take on all this? The domestic dogs and the wolves should stay separate, both for the protection of the people around them, and for the purity of the species.

If you have any interest in this sort of thing, I’d say get a qualified breeder to help you. Also, it’s possible there are laws in certain states prohibiting ownership of such animals.

From photographs I’ve seen, they’re quite beautiful! The ones I’ve heard of are the Savannah cat and the Bengal, both relatively small.

Billy Jo recently took me on a tour of her charm bracelet , and explained the meaning behind her twenty-five plus charms. I was touched and interested in her explanations. It’s amazing how creative some people are, finding a way to keep the stories and memories of those they love alive and close to them.

If Billy Jo’s idea helps someone else through the difficult grieving process, I’ll feel like I’ve done my good deed for the day!

Did you know that chameleons live in Madagascar, Africa and in some Mediterranean regions, and really nowhere else? That must be part of the fascination people have for them as pets. You can’t really go for a hike in the US and come across a chameleon!

One of the other especially enchanting things about a chameleon is the fact that it has a prehensile tail. This lets the chameleon make its way among the tree branches it calls home. If you’re thinking about making a pet out of this fascinating reptile, be sure you do a lot of study first!  They can be delicate to raise.

I think this is sad. Domestic cats are, after all, not wild animals. They’re meant to cozy up by a fire on a cold winter’s night, or snuggle with their human companion anytime of the day or night. Maybe someone who took in a cute kitty decided by the time the cat was 6 months old that he wasn’t nearly as cute anymore. Unable to confront finding him a new home, the cat was dropped off at the nearest rest stop on the freeway. I’ve seen feral cats at rest stops all over the country. This is cruel, and I think it should be illegal

Neutering feral cats is a good start, but as long as people treat pet ownership in such a flippant way, I’m afraid this will continue to be a problem.

•    Friendly
•    Interesting
•    Beautiful
•    Care is affordable.

As you can see, this doesn’t mean only dogs or cats! Some people raise insects, some have terrariums with lizards and snakes. If you have a large parrot, the care might be difficult or expensive for you, in which case my advice would be to go for a pet you know you’ll be able to handle. If you are at an income level where caring for a macaw is not going to be a drain on your recourses, then I would say the care is affordable.

I think the perfect pet is out there for everyone; it’s just a matter of matching personalities and other factors.

And of course there are special occasions that come up from time to time. Sometimes a simple card just isn’t enough! So I save my money. Sure I splurge on my pets from time to time (they go through toys like toddlers!) but you’ve got to take care of your little ones, even if they aren’t so little anymore.

So take a look! It never hurt to get just one little peek for yourself…

Did you know that the traditional fish bowl design doesn’t allow for enough oxygen exchange even for goldfish? I say “even” because goldfish are used to living in somewhat stagnant water and are adapted to gulping air from the surface. However, this isn’t a pleasant way for them to spend their time. It’s much better to keep them in tanks or special bowls with a very wide top.

The tank for your fish should be in a place with a steady temperature. It shouldn’t be close to a heating or cooling source that goes on and off. Although they can live in either warm or cool water, they are cold-blooded and can’t regulate their internal temperature.

I realize the next big gift giving holiday is Mother’s Day, and I think that animal themed jewelry can play a big part in this. Of course you can always go for the chocolate and flowers, but I think the best way to acknowledge someone you love is by giving her something she can enjoy every day of the week! Last year I gave my mom a pretty ring with her favorite animal (which happens to be a squirrel. Believe me, this was very hard to find!) and she was literally thrilled.

Anyway, I have a few thoughts on this subject, animal lover that I am. But then again, flowers and chocolate are less expensive than gold and silver. You decide!

Most pet owners accept this behavior as part of pet ownership. And even people who are afraid of dogs innately know that a suspicious dog seems to pick up their fear. “Smelling your fear” is the term I’ve heard, but it’s more likely the dog notices the tension surrounding such a person and knows “something is up.”

I’ve not researched this thoroughly, but it is an interesting thing, and I’d like to delve into it sometime when I have some free time!