Creating a Unique Pet Scrapbook

The holiday season is a great time to capture memorable images of your pet. Previously we shared some tips for improving your pet photography; now we have some tips on how to preserve and display those photos. And to give you some inspiration, we're including some of our favorite holiday photos from last year!

Scrapbooking is a wonderful way to preserve your cherished memories. For many people their pets are an important part of the family, so it is just natural to want to capture those special times shared with a beloved pet. You can use your favorite scrapbooking tools to make unique pages that you can enjoy for years to come.

To get started, you'll need to have some good photos of your pet from a variety of different angles. Also, make sure that you capture your pet with different members of the family. And if your dog has a favorite toy, include some special pictures of that as well.

First, make sure that the scrapbooking materials you use are acid and lignin free. You'll need scrapbooking supplies such as an album, cut-outs, stickers, letter rub-ons, and any other creative embellishments you desire. Choose things related to your pet such as dog breed stickers or cat themed papers.

Next, you will want to consider what themes to include in your pet's scrapbook. We have a few ideas to help you get started, but you should include any moments you want to preserve for posterity.

My Pet's First _______
Focus on "the firsts". If you are fortunate enough to get your pet while he or she is still a baby, then create a scrapbook album around the "firsts". But even if you adopted your pet when he or she was older, you can still create some great "first" scrapbook pages. Create scrapbook pages around coming home, your pet's first bath, first visit to the park, first car ride, etc.

A Day in the Life
Tracking your pet's daily activities is another great scrapbook theme. You could include pages about your pet's morning routine, nap time, meal time, and outdoor time. Trace your pet's paw print and include that in the pages too!

My Favorites
A theme around "pet favorites" is also a fun idea. Take photos and create pages around your pet's favorite activities. For a cat you might include pages on favorite toys and nap places. For a dog, choose photos of favorite outdoor play or playtime with toys.

Special Occasions
In addition to holidays, there are other special occasions that you may celebrate with your pet throughout the year. Do you celebrate your pet's birthday? Then by all means include some "birthday" photos in the scrapbook.

Think Twice About Giving a Pet as a Holiday Gift

Pets are wonderful. They keep you laughing, cheer you up when you are down, and love you no matter what. And there is nothing more heartwarming than seeing a child who has fallen asleep curled up next to a favored animal. So it is no wonder that pets are a very common gift for children at holidays. What child's eyes wouldn't light up at the sight of a brand new baby animal to hold and hug?

However, you should remember that pets are a long-term commitment. Little critters are soft, warm and fuzzy gifts but (and it's a big but) they all grow up. Cute little puppies become big romping, barking dogs. Cuddly little kittens turn into large aloof cats. Soon the baby ducks and chicks are no longer soft and fuzzy, but big, noisy and messy. And most surprising of all, those two bunnies, Fred and George, turned out to be Fred and Georgia!

Also, keep in mind that animals cost money way above and beyond the initial purchase price. Food, leashes, food, collars, food and water bowls, training supplies, food, toys, vet bills, food, licenses and tags, and more food!

Buying a pet as a gift should be a well-planned and thought out move, not a spur of the moment decision based on emotion. If you are honestly thinking of getting someone a pet for the holidays, even if it is not for a child, make sure the gift fits. Be sure it is something you would do even if there were no holiday involved.

Once the pet is revealed, promises to love, feed, and take care of the new addition to the family will flow like water. Therefore, it is important to choose an animal the recipient is capable of handling. For example, you don't want to get a dog that will quickly grow to the size of a small pony for a young child. In fact, you might want to expose your child to other people's animals before buying a pet of your own. This will let you know if your child by chance has allergic reactions to animals before you bring one home that they will fall in love with. It will also give you time to try to convince them that they would really prefer a turtle, lizard, or something else that doesn't have dander.

Finally, there is a great deal of time that has to be invested in getting any pet acclimated to your household, and the holidays are not always a good time to do that. The hustle and excitement of a houseful of friends and family is not the best setting for a new puppy, kitten, or any other young animal. A better idea might be to cut out a picture of the pet you have in mind, put that in a card, and make sure the child understands that as soon as the holidays have passed and things have gone back to normal, they can help pick out the newest member of the family.

Homemade Holiday Pet Treats Recipe Roundup

I haven't been the best doggie this year... But it's just so much fun to bark at the mailman and chase kitty cats that I can't help it. Mommy say that it must be in my jeans, but that doesn't make sense because dog don't wear pants. Mommy is silly sometimes... Anyway, I decided that I would try bribery in order to get Santa Paws to visit this year. So I'm having Mommy bake some goodies that the reindogs should enjoy. My plan is that they will smell all the yummy treats and make a special trip to our house. If you think that you might be on the naughty list, you could have your Mommy or Daddy make some as well.
~Bandit

P.S. I also included some cat treats on the list to apologize for that time I chased a cat into a bush and to show Santa that I really want to be friends with all the kitties out there...

Homemade Pet Treats for Christmas

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Building a Healthy Relationship between Your Pet and Children

Whether you have children at home or simply encounter them in public, it's crucial for your dog to learn to "play nicely" with them. Here are some basic safety suggestions to keep in mind whenever you and your pet will be around children:

Young children and dogs should always be supervised when together. Children love holding a dog's leash, but an adult should be there to supervise. For example, a child may not be able to control even the most mild-mannered dog if they are approached by another dog. Also, children can hurt the dog by pulling too hard on his collar, causing him to snap or bite.

Consider your dog's personality. If she has shown signs of being aggressive towards children then do not allow any unsupervised contact. If you have not already, you might also consider asking your vet about evaluation by a certified animal behaviorist.

Learn to read your dog's body language. Pets can become upset by too much stimulation. Watch for signs that your pet wants to be left alone. Especially watch for warning signs like hissing, lip curling, and/or raised hackles.

Keep your pet calm. Some dogs get very excited and agitated when confronted by large groups of children. And the high-pitched sounds and quick motions of children playing may frighten some dogs. Consider using pet calming spray or treats to help your dog stay calm no matter how much activity is going on around her.

Teach kids good manners. Children should not disturb a dog while he's eating, taking a nap, or playing with a favorite toy.

Show respect for your pet's boundaries. Children should learn which parts of the dog's body they can touch and pet and how to touch gently. For instance, your dog may love belly rubs and having his head stroked but resent having his feet or tail touched.

Feel free to share the summary of these suggestions with other pet lovers, and as always be sure to get the professional advice of a veterinarian for any issues or concerns with your pet.

Ever Notice How Much Kids and Dogs Have in Common?

Dog Owner Vs Parents by egogenius

Especially when you are at someone else's home...

Visiting friends and family with either pets or kids inevitably ends one way -- in disaster. Take your eyes of either one and sure enough they will do the following:

• Run through the house and break something expensive
• Steal food off someone's dinner plate
• Find (create) mud, play in it, and then nap in host's bed
• Vomit, poop, and/or pee on a brand new rug
• And before the visit is over, someone is going to get bitten...

Dealing with the Loss of a Pet

Today, we wanted to take a moment to remember and honor those who have gone across the Rainbow Bridge before us.

The loss of a pet is a devastating experience. Death is universal, but accepting the loss of a loved one is one of the most difficult things in the world. And for some, the death of the pet can be worse than the loss of a human family member.

Although comforting words from friends and family can soothe a grieving heart, ultimately people find peace and heal in their own time and in their own way. If someone you know has recently lost a pet, consider expressing your condolences in one of the following ways:

• Participate in a burial or memorial service with owner.
• Give a pet sympathy gift such a floral arrangement, wreath, or gift basket.
• Help the owner create framed pictures or photo albums to remember their pet.
• Commemorate the life of the pet with a memorial such as a keepsake box, custom made jewelry, or garden stone.

Remember, your goal is not to alleviate an individual's grief (that will happen with time) but to assure the recipient that people acknowledge their grief and send a message of support and comfort.

If you have any words of sympathy or encouragement to share, please feel free to do so in the comments.

Homemade Dog Food Recipe Roundup

Mama feeds me special food for my sensitive stomach, but sometimes I still get an upset tummy. When that happens, I get to eat boiled turkey and rice. For a special treat, sometimes she uses chicken or adds in yogurt or cottage cheese. Mmm, mmm, yummy! I wish she would cook for me more often, so I searched the Internet to see what other mommies and daddies cook for their doggies. I'm going to leave this list on her toputer as a hint... If you have a favorite recipe that your human cooks for you please add it to my list. And be sure to vote for the tastiest one so I know what to try first.

~Bandit

P.S. When mommy wants me to be quiet, she gives me peanut butter. BOL!

Homemade Dog Food Recipe Roundup

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Tips to Keep Your Pet Calm During Holiday Celebrations

by Staff

There's one family member that many people forget about during holiday family gatherings: the family pet.

With the hustle and bustle of the season, dogs and cats tend to get overly excited when friends and family gather. This will not only annoy your visitors, but it also can be harmful to your pet.

But you don't have to keep your animal crated or locked in a room in order to avoid problems. The following tips will help your pet stay calm enough to not miss out on the holiday fun:

Give your pet an extra workout. According to the American Humane Association, taking your pet for an extra-long walk or having a longer playtimes can help tire your pet out before the party starts.

Encourage guests to greet your pet with care. As the partygoers trickle in, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals suggests asking your guests to calmly greet your pet. Giving an excited greeting will encourage your pet to do the same.

Relax your pet with a supplement. Many experts say that calming aids can help reduce your pet's hyperactivity. These products act to relieve restlessness, fear, nervousness, and aggression and can even help antsy pets sleep throughout the night.

Amuse your pet with a toy. To distract your pet from jumping up on guests or getting into things, the Humane Society of the United States recommends using toys as a distraction. For dogs, toys with hiding places for treats are suggested. For cats, catnip toys will keep them busy.

Finally, reward good behavior a few times during the event. The American Humane Association suggests keeping treats handy as a positive reinforcement when your pet chooses good behavior. Also, remind your guests not to feed your pet "people food." Using it as a treat will only lead to your pet begging for more at your guests' feet.

Here's a condensed version of these tips that you can share with others:

Why are Pictures of Cats So Popular on the Internet?

The Rise of Funny Cat Pictures

Author: Cedric Loiselle
People like to laugh, and to give their friends and family reason to laugh as well. One of the best uses of the internet beyond its informational and communication capabilities is giving a platform for people to create and share many ways of making themselves and those around them ways to laugh.

The Rise

If you have wandered around the internet to any extent you have probably encountered funny cat pictures. They started with just a few people capturing amusing or unexpected images of their pet cats and sharing them with friends and family through emails. These emails were so well received that they were shared further and further until they became chain letters. Soon other people were looking for opportunity to take funny cat pictures and send them around. Beyond just emails, entire websites featuring photo galleries filled with these pictures started opening. People could now go to one place and see hundreds of pictures of cats in any number of funny situations. These pictures were put on shirts, mugs, posters and in books. An entire world of cult-like following cropped up as funny cat pictures became one of the most popular things searched for using internet search engines.

Kinds of Funny Cat Pictures

What is funny really ranges from person to person. While some people find animals that are dressed up or posed creepy, others find them whimsical and cute. Unposed, candid shots of cats in humorous positions or situations remain among the most loved of funny cat pictures. If you are looking for a little glimmer of lighthearted humor during your day, it is easy to find a type of funny cat picture that will make you smile. The websites that were created in honor of these feisty felines generally offer subsections that allow you to choose the category of funny cat pictures that are most appealing to you. You may really like cats that have been put in costumes or given props so that they can "act out" phrases or familar situations, or perhaps you would rather look through pictures of cats that have put themselves in endearing positions. Either way, there are plenty of funny cat pictures available to give you a second of comedy during any difficult day.

The Importance of Funny Cat Pictures Captions

Some of the images offered on funny cat websites are not all that funny on their own. What makes these images so amusing is the choice of words that the photographer, or website owner, attaches to the image. For instance, you may not find a picture of a cat standing on its back paws, batting at some unseen toy particularly funny, but if you add the caption "Highfive!", it suddenly takes on a new level of humor. Giving funny cat pictures good captions is essential to the effectiveness of the picture.

About the Author
For more information about Funny Cat Pictures and Lol Builder visit our website meowcheese.com.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/the-rise-of-funny-cat-pictures-5405879.html