In the past, it was thought that people who were allergic to animals could not own pets. But thanks to recent findings, that notion has been proved wrong. Although people who suffer from pet allergies may not be able to mingle with pets as much as other people, they can still own a pet and take care to see that they health is not adversely affected by this. In a previous post, I wrote about pet allergies and how to take care of them. In this post, I shall go one step further and talk about which hypoallergenic breeds are best for pet lovers with allergies.

Pet allergies in humans are caused by the allergens that come off from the animal’s dead skin, saliva, feces, urine, blood etc. While there are no breeds that are completely allergen free, some breeds of cats and dogs have been found to shed less allergen. These are called hypoallergenic breeds and it is these breeds that most people go for, if they suffer from pet allergies. The best example would be the first dogs of the United States of America, Bo and Sunny. These are the hypoallergenic dogs of the Portuguese Water Dog breed that President Barack Obama opted for since his daughter Malia suffers from allergies. Some other hypoallergenic breeds are as follows:

Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds

• Portuguese Water Dog

This is a dog which is very well known for being an exceptional swimmer and diver. It is a medium sized dog which is physically active and intelligent. It can make a great pet as it responds well to obedience training and is good with children. But it is necessary that these dogs receive constant exercise to keep them calm.

• Poodle

Poodles are not only proud dogs but also smart and physically active. Thus they make good runners and walkers as they always like to keep themselves busy. They are excellent at obedience training. There are sub breeds of poodles which come in three different sizes. Just like the Portuguese Water Dog, even Poodles need regular and proper exercise and grooming.

• Irish Water Spaniel

These dogs are the tallest in the Spaniel family. Known to be a ‘family dog’, the Irish Water Spaniel can be good with children and other dogs if it is trained properly. Otherwise, it appears to be a little reserved and quiet, barking only when needed. It always has the desire to please and that makes it a quick learner of tricks. It is also a good swimmer.

• Maltese

Maltese are small sized dogs with a long silky coat of fur. They are extremely lively and playful and they prefer to be around their master at all times. Although they are gentle and loving on one hand, on the other hand they are very smart and brave. They like to remain outdoors and their coats need to be brushed daily. They are termed as the perfect companion dog.

Hypoallergenic Cat Breeds

Cat allergies are twice as common as dog allergies. Even among cats, there are different factors that determine allergies. For example, males produces more allergenic secretions than females, dark cats produce cause more allergenic reactions than light colored cats and also, intact cats are more allergenic than neutered cats. Therefore it is always a safe bet for people who suffer from allergies to get a light colored female cat. Otherwise, hypoallergenic breeds can be adopted, namely,

• Russian Blue

These are medium sized, very good looking cats with a muscular physique. They are playful and do not tire easily. They are also quite well behaved and gets along well with children. They like the company of human being and may appear to be hurt when they are ignored. However, these cats do not respond well to change and tend to overeat. Therefore, such things should be taken care of.

• Balinese

Ranked as one of the most intelligent of cat breeds, the Balinese are quite active, playful and good natured. They make very good hypoallergenic pets as they shed less of the Fel D1 protein, which is an allergen. Not only do they gel well with children and elders but also with other animals. They liked to be around their master and are said to be able to sense their emotions.

• Bengal

Having a striking resemblance to the leopard, the Bengal cat is muscular and athletic in its build. It is good at hunting as it is of wild lineage. It is highly energetic and prefers to be in the company of children more than that of adults, as it enjoys playing a lot. It is also easy to tame although it is not one to be petted at all times.

These hypoallergenic breeds come as a boon to the pet crazy people who have allergies to animals. Although they might not be completely free from allergens, they certainly are safer than most other breeds. Thus, people with allergies prefer to own such breeds rather than others.

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Have you ever come across someone who is an ardent pet lover but funnily, that person does not own a single pet? Are you the kind of person who absolutely adores animals but sadly, you cannot own any? I have the good fortune of owning a pet dog but a lot of my pet crazy friends are not that lucky. There are many reasons for this and the regular excuses among them are not enough time to take care of pets, no sufficient space for them, objection from one’s family and neighbors etc. But the most common reason people give for not having pets is pet allergies.

What are pet allergies?
Just as the name suggests, pet allergies are the allergies of human beings towards animals. Everybody does not suffer from this and different people might be allergic to different breeds of cats, dogs or birds. The people who are allergic to animals have extra sensitive immune systems which while coming into contact with allergens, react in such a way as to induce sneezing or watering of the eyes in order to throw out those foreign bodies. Allergens are the proteins which are found in the dead skin (which is called dander), saliva, urine, feces, blood etc of animals. These allergens are otherwise harmless but the since the immune systems of allergic people are supersensitive, it regards them as dangerous. Pet allergies may not always develop suddenly. They take about two years to develop.

How do allergens spread?
Contrary to what most people think, allergies are not cause due to the fur of pets. The fur of pets is merely a medium on to which the allergens stick. This might happen when their dander is held by the fur or when they lick their fur. After the saliva dries, it no longer sticks to the fur. It becomes airborne can stay suspended in air for long periods of time. Animals fur also holds on to dust and pollen which are other types of allergens. Therefore, the length and abundance of the fur has nothing to do with the worsening of an allergy as fur is not the actual cause of allergies.
It is also found that allergens are long lasting and have the ability to stick to walls, clothes and other surfaces. They are most commonly found in public places like theatres, buses, cars etc and these things make it a possibility of allergens reaching even the homes without pets. Even dogs of the same breed may trigger different levels of allergic reactions in people, due to dandruff and other such problems.
What are the symptoms of pet allergies?
A person who is suffering from pet allergies may show different symptoms while being near animals. The severity of these allergic reactions differs from person to person. The most common reactions to allergies are sneezing, itching, watering of eyes, coughing, wheezing, swelling of skin, redness of skin, inflamed eyes, rashes and in very severe cases it can also lead to asthma. Sometimes the symptoms may not be gone completely even after a few months of staying away from the animal.
Skin tests or blood tests should be helpful in the determination of allergies in human beings. Although people might be sure that they have pet allergies, it is always better to have them tested. This is because in some cases, the people might not actually be allergic to animals but to the dust, dust mites and pollen in the air. However, tests cannot always predict accurately the cause of the allergy. In such situations it is advisable to stay away from animals for a brief period of time and test if the symptoms reduce or disappear.

How to take care of your pet allergy
The most obvious answer to this question would be to get rid of your own pets and stay away from animals on the whole. While this might work for most people, it will put pet lovers in a fix. There is no way I can imagine living without animals. So I’m assuming that it will certainly be difficult for other animal lovers as well. Luckily for such people, there are other options apart from being away from animals. It is advisable for them to bring home pets like fish, turtles etc.
If a person who is allergic to pets is still intent on keeping a furry animal, then he or she can take other precautions like only allowing the pet to stay out of the house, regular and thorough cleaning of the house and also of the furniture, sheets, curtains etc, wearing a dust mask, regular brushing and bathing of the pet by another person and getting treatment. Using an HEPA filter can help remove allergens in the air. If the pet is allowed inside the home then it must not be allowed to enter the allergic person’s bedroom.
Being an animal lover myself, I understand how important it is to be able to be with pets. Therefore, it is my humble suggestion that you should not let anything come in the way of your love for your pet. After all, pets are just a part of your life but to them, you are their life.

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It is a well known fact that most dog owners are extremely attached to their dogs. These people do not consider their canines as animals. They are rather, a part of the family. Some dog owners even go the extent of referring to themselves as the ‘parent’ of their pet and not as its master. This feature of humans being overly attached to their dogs is not exactly viewed as negativity. But what if it is the dog that is overly attached to its human, so much so that it absolutely cannot bear to be kept away from him or her? If your dog shows such desperate dependence on you, then you must know that it is suffering from a problem called Separation Anxiety.

What is Separation Anxiety?

It is in our human nature to miss a loved one who is away from us. Dogs, too, think of their masters when they are away. Most dogs carry on with their life, continuing to await their master’s return. However, some dogs need to be around their owners at all times and if they are separated for even just half an hour, they begin to panic a lot.

In the modern times when the members of almost every household are busy with commitments like school or office, which require them to get out of the confines of their house, having a dog which suffers from separation anxiety proves to be a great difficulty. They can try to spend a large portion of their day with the dog but it is still impossible for them to remain with it for the whole day, day after day.

Most dogs adjust to the schedule of their master and do not mind waiting at home while they are out during the day. These dogs either sleep or play with their toys or just busy themselves in doing something or the other that is harmless. But those dogs with separation anxiety cannot tolerate being left alone and this loneliness drives them to become destructive. They continuously whine or howl, refuse to eat or drink, vomit, salivate excessively, relieve themselves inside the house, make a mess inside the house, destroy furniture etc. The exhibition of such behavior does not mean that the dog is dangerous and untamed. What happens is that when the dog is left alone, it starts to think that it has been abandoned and worries about the master never returning home. This anxiety causes it to remove its stress by doing such things and trying to escape.

 How is Separation Anxiety caused?

In majority of the cases, separation anxiety in dogs is the result of their painful past. Therefore it is usually found in dogs which have had an abusive upbringing or the ones which have had multiple owners in the past. The reason behind this is that dogs are very loving animals and they form strong bonds with their owners but when these bonds are broken or abused due to different reasons, it causes them great sadness and pain. So they suffer from depression. Yet, not all dogs coming from such backgrounds experience this problem.

A few other situations which cause this are the death of a loved one, the change in the schedule of the master or the parting of the master from the dog for a long period of time for a vacation etc. Sometimes it is also caused due to an overly indulgent owner who is used to pampering the dog and spending a lot of time with it. This isn’t a bad thing. However, it might have an adverse effect on the dog which gets used to such treatment and cannot bear being away from that owner for even a short period of time, if the need arises.

What are its symptoms?

The main problem of a dog which is suffering from separation anxiety is the distance from its owner. It tries its best to be with the owner and so it attempts to escape from the area of confinement. It tries to destroy the things that come in its way and the doors, window and other escape routes are targeted. This is called ‘barrier frustration’.

Other symptoms include behavior like chewing, digging, scratching, house soiling, whining, howling, excessive grooming, diarrhea, vomiting and salivation. All of these symptoms are seen only in the absence of the owner. In addition to these, we can see that the dog is extremely overjoyed upon the return of its master and thus jumps around him or her, a lot. It then continues to follow its master everywhere and refuses to leave his or her side.

How can it be treated?

The first step in treating a sickness or a disease is to identify it. Hence, one must find out clearly if the dog is truly suffering from separation anxiety or if it is just bored, as a bored dog would exhibit similar behavior. Next, a vet must be consulted to find out if the symptoms are a result of an underlying medical condition. The other basic things that can be done are to get another pet as a companion for your dog when you are not as home, so that it is not alone. You must also reduce your extreme displays of affection towards it and not make a big show each time you leave the house. This way, it will get used to your going out and will know that it isn’t being abandoned.

Separation anxiety must not be treated lightly as it can prove to be injurious to dogs. There are many possibilities of them hurting themselves while trying to escape. Thus it is of utmost importance that this disorder should be recognized and treated at the earliest.

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The dog is an animal which is known to form the strongest bond of friendship and love with man. Thus it is rightfully referred to as ‘the best friend of man’. But what happens when your pet dog gets overly attached to you, so much so that it absolutely cannot stay without you and becomes destructive in your absence? Worry not, for in this post you will learn how to help your dog which is suffering from separation anxiety.

Dealing with the separation anxiety of your dog
• Get a dog friend for your dog
This can be done so that your dog does not feel lonely when you are not around. It will even have a companion. However you must take care to see that the other dog is not dominant or oppressive as that can have an adverse effect on the first dog. Therefore choose a canine with similar temperament as that of your dog.
• Get a dog walker
Since your dog is all alone at home while you are at work, it might just relieve him a little bit if somebody takes him out from time to time. This can be a known person or someone whom you have hired.
• Leaving the television or some music on while you are gone

Species specific music for dogs can help calm your dog to a great extent. If you do not have such music then you can even play some very light, soothing music (never heavy metal). Leaving the TV on is also helpful as some constant speaking and sound is better than the silence of being alone. Most animals seem to prefer seeing images of other animals or nature programs.
• A piece of your clothing
It has been found that dogs suffering from separation anxiety respond positively to this. When an article of your apparel is left outside, it is comforting to the dog.
• Doggy day care
If not a dog walker then you can admit your dog into a day care centre. It might be difficult to find but if you do, then it is an ideal solution. But do check the day care center just as you would check a play school before enrolling your child there.
• Creating a doggie spot in the house

Preparing a special room for your dog and getting him used to it is another suggestion. You can make him comfortable by placing things that he would like in that room. The dog can then snuggle up to the item in your absence and be reminded of better times. Be sure that this clothing is not new and that it has your scent on it so that your dog can identify with it.
• Rotation of toys
As you leave home for work, you can leave some toys out in the doggie room. This will keep your dog occupied. But there must be a regular rotation of toys so that their do not love their interesting and novel appeal. Toys that move or are good to chew are apparently the most fun.
• Exercising your dog
The idea behind this is that ‘a tired dog is a good dog’. Exercise generates serotonin in the brain and thus has a calming and mood-stabilizing effect on man and beast. A dog that has had a good run for 20 to 30 minutes before the owner departs will be less anxious; more composed, and will have a good nap.
• Leaving the dog in the compound

If you are lucky to be living in an independent house with a free compound then you have the liberty to leave your dog free out there. Although you might think that a fully furnished house is more comfortable, it is not so with animals. They prefer to be out in the open and feel more at home in nature.
• Room with a view
Suppose you cannot leave your dog in the compound then you can try leaving him in a room which has a good view of the surroundings. If he is kept entertained by the moving vehicles or passers by then he might not feel that lonely. The principle is same as that of humans watching television.
The above mentioned methods will do quite well in helping dogs suffering from separation anxiety. However if your dog is not even slightly affected by these then you should consult a vet. However, make sure never to use force to treat your dog. It won’t do any good because this is not really his fault. Treat him with patience. But you should avoid the mistake of spending more time with your dog before you leave. This only increased his anxiety. Departures should be quick and quiet. Try to make him as independent as possible so that your absence will not cause him to be depressed.

The post Treating separation anxiety in dogs appeared first on Pet Attack.

On a regular day when you are watching TV or sipping coffee while reading a book, you hear your dog yelp in pain or give a muffled bark as though it is in trouble. Hurriedly you put everything aside, quickly jump to your feet and run to your dog’s rescue. But what you find there is puzzling and may even seem funny. Doggie dearest is sleeping sound in the corner, not even remotely in danger and yet whining in its sleep. What might the matter be? Do you freak out because you think he is having an attack of some sort? Or do you start wondering if he might be dreaming? But then again, only humans are able to dream, right? Is it possible that even dogs dream? To answer your question, yes they can.

Human beings are not the only creatures that dream while in sleep. Dreams occur in the REM stage of our sleep. Rapid eye movement sleep or REM is one of the five stages of sleep that most people experience every night. It is during this stage of sleep that the brain is most active and primed for some serious dreaming. The brain processes activity just as one would when fully awake. Heart and respiration speeds up, but certain muscle groups go through involuntary paralysis. This explains why humans can go through intense, realistic dreams, and react to them with slight movement here-and-there. Some people who do not experience the paralysis of muscles continue to move in their sleep while acting out their dreams. This holds good for dogs as well.

Not all creatures slip into REM but most mammals are among those that do. Since dogs are mammals and it has been found that their brainwaves are very similar to that of humans when we experience REM sleep, it is true that they spend their REM time much like we do. Therefore it is a good explanation as to why dogs bark and howl very low during a dream and why humans mumble in theirs. Similar to humans, dogs tend to dream of things going on in the past and present. There is also a stage called non- REM sleep or deep sleep. Non-REM dreams consist of quick pictures of things usually done that day. During the deeper sleep state of REM, dreams last much longer and tap into a vast pool of past experiences drawn from weeks, months and even years in the past.
Research has shown that all dogs do not dream equally. According to psychologist Stanley Coren, who is the author of the book “How Dogs Think: Understanding the Canine Mind”, the frequency and length of dog dreams varies with their physical size. Small dogs dream more than larger dogs. For example, he said, mastiffs and Great Danes might dream every 45 minutes for about five minutes, compared to their smaller canine cousins that enter a dream state every 10 minutes with episodes lasting less than 60 seconds. Dreaming also seems to occur more frequently in puppies. This might be because they are processing huge quantities of newly acquired experiences.

Funnily though, even though it has been found out that dogs are capable of dreaming, it is still not known as to what exactly they dream about. It is assumed that they dream in a similar fashion to humans, replaying the everyday activities that make up their existence, like chasing, playing, and eating. Since dogs cannot tell us themselves, what they dream about will always remain a mystery to us.
If you too want to know whether your dog is dreaming or not, you can just check for the following signs. After about 20 minutes of an average sized dog dozing off, the dreams should start. You will recognize the change because its breathing will become shallow and irregular. There may be odd muscle twitches, and you can even see the dog’s eyes moving behind its closed lids if you look closely enough. The eyes are moving because the dog is actually looking at the dream images as if they were real images of the world. Sometimes it may even make soft sounds in its sleep like whining or yelping. It is nothing to worry about as the dog is only going through a dream and it will get over soon. There is no need to get worked up about it and wake up the little one suddenly. In fact, it is suggested that you never wake a dog from its sleep. One reason is that dogs, like humans, need uninterrupted sleep for healthy mental activity. Another reason is that if the dream is intense and possibly an aggressive one, they can wake up in a defense reaction and bite. There have been reports of dog owners who have witnessed their own dog wake out of an intense dream only to attack another dog in the household who was lying too close.

So, the next time that you witness this and think of waking up your dog, try not to do that because as the saying goes, “It is best to let sleeping dogs lie”. However, if you must wake them then calmly calling out their name is more than enough, though they usually work themselves out of it naturally.

The post Do dogs dream? appeared first on Pet Attack.

After all the different articles on why having pets is a good idea, by now, I am sure that the majority of us, if not all, are very well acquainted with the advantages of having pets. They make good companions, you will find true love in those creatures, taking care of them gives you an idea about taking care of little children, while you care for a pet you too mature as an individual, if you adopt a pet then you are giving a homeless being a family, and many more are the very basic and also the common advantages of having a pet that would come to our minds. But in this post I shall give you more reasons as to why you must adopt a pet. These are a must read because they are not just quirky but also not usually thought of.

1. Dogs are a lady’s love

If you are a boy who is single and wants to ‘patao’ a girl then this one is for you. Firstly, take your dog for a walk to a park where a lot of young girls go. Then make sure that you are in a spot which is visible to most people. Over there you can play fetch with your dog and make it do other cute stuff like walking on two legs or just flaunting its good looks. This will catch the attention of the beautiful girls who are sure to come over to you in order to play with your four legged friend. If that does not happen, then you can send your dog near them on the pretext of fetching its toy. While you finally manage to initiate a conversation with the ladies, do not forget to mention the heart- warming story of how you rescued the poor little thing from the dog catchers who would have killed it if you had not stepped forward to adopt it (this need not be entirely true and you can throw in some drama as well). So at the end of it, you will not just be the hero but also a ladies’ man.
2. Cats strike a chord with men

The next one is for the ladies. If you have watched the movie ‘The Ugly Truth’ then you will know how to use your kitty cat to get your hot neighbor, who you are crushing on, to notice you. For those of you who have not, keep reading to find out. Just let your cat do what it usually does, that is, let it climb a tree and stay there for a while. While it is still on top, run to your crush and tell him in a panicky tone that your cat is stuck on a tree and is really frightened to come down on its own. Then request him to get the little one down and save it (you can leave out the part where the treetop is a regular hangout spot of kitty dearest). So once they are both safely on the ground, praise your cat’s savior and take his number in case you might need more saving in the future. The great task will be accomplished and you won’t even be obvious.
3. Pets make lazy people responsible

Another of these ideas is for those children and teenagers whose parents think that they are irresponsible. It is a characteristic of quite a lot of Indian parents to think that their children are very careless and that is why the latter are denied some of the things they want. For example: a new video game. So the best method for those kids to prove themselves to their elders is by taking up the complete responsibility of the house pet. It may get a little troublesome at times but it is definitely worth it. All that is required of them is to take the pet for regular walks and exercise, feed it the right kind of food at the proper time without fail, give it a bath whenever necessary, take care of its health and see to it that the pet is up to date on its vaccinations, clean up the mess it might makes etc. Once the parents see that their child is truly responsible, they will not just be proud of him or her and stop complaining but will also increase his or her privileges.
As I have mentioned earlier, these are only the added advantages of having a pet. But it certainly does not mean that you must bring home a pet just so you can use it for the above mentioned strategies. If your want to bring home a pet, you should do it if and only if your intentions are good towards the animal. Not because you want to ‘use’ it for anything. It must be taken care of well and also be given all the love that you possibly can. All I am trying to put forward through this post is that if you already have a pet, why not make the most out of it?

The post Having a pet as your wingman appeared first on Pet Attack.

“I soar high up in the sky,
Welcoming each day with great joy.
Over hills, valleys, forests and beautiful waters I fly,
The mighty wind’s daughter am I……”

Each day of mine begins with this song, which I sing to myself as I happily glide above my beautiful city at dawn. This is my favorite part of the day, the time when the sun awakens from its slumber and emerges from the horizon. Every morning I fly to the nearest sea just to have a view of this breath- taking sight which renews the passion for life within me. It reminds me of what an amazing life I have and what a lucky creature I am. The Creator of the universe has been gracious to me and I will never cease to be thankful to Him. Who would not desire to live life the way I do? Mother Nature provides me abundantly with not only the food that sustains me but also with a place to rest my humble head. There is no other whom I depend on. I am the master of my will and I go wherever I wish to. There is nothing I love more than to move about from one place to the other because I am an explorer and this is my life. After all, the life of a bird is short and so I believe that I should make the most of mine.
One fine morning as I was searching for some food, I came across a group of small children playing together in a poor locality. As I looked closely, I realized that they were not really playing. The older and bigger children were standing away from the smallest child in the group, a boy of about six or seven years of age. I perched myself on a low- hanging branch of the nearest tree so that I could have a better look. The bigger boys were screaming and laughing while the little boy stood quietly with his head down. Since I do not understand the talk of humans I had no clue about what was going on but I figured that something was not right. Soon the big boys started pushing and shoving the little boy. He sobbed softly at first but as he fell down, his crying became louder and attracted the attention of a man passing by, who shouted out something in an angry tone which sent all the boys running off. All except for the little one who was still sitting where he had fallen and continued to cry.

I felt bad for him and truly wished there was something I could do to – “AAAA” I cried in pain as I felt a sharp pang in my right wing. It shook me off my balance and I fell to the ground. I did not know what just happened. One moment I was safely sitting on top and the next moment, I had fallen down with a bruised wing. I heard laughter at some distance from where I was and then saw the same gang of boys looking at me with sadistic pleasure in their eyes. One of them had catapulted a stone with the evil intention to hurt me and was now slowly walking towards me. I understood that they wanted to torture me even more and kill me so I frantically tried to escape. But I was wounded so badly that I could not fly and trying to move was hurting me even more. At this point I was extremely terrified. My death was walking towards me and there was nothing I could do to get away from it. I screamed for help even though I knew that nobody would care. But suddenly I was gently lifted up from the ground. I turned to see the little boy looking at me with panic in his eyes. Wrapping his small palms around my body gently, he broke into a run as the boy who hit me chased him, screaming in anger. The little boy ran as fast as his legs would carry him and luckily, we reached the shelter of his home before the big boy could get to us.

The little one named Bob, took me to his mother, who gently cleaned my wound and bandaged it. Bob then gave me his biscuits and spoke to me in a kind tone. Although I did know what he said, I felt strangely comforted. My wounds were still hurting but I felt a little better. I knew that I was safe while with him and had nothing to worry about. Days passed by and Bob became my best friend. He loved me a lot and spent most of his time with me. As my condition gradually improved, I started moving around little by little. Finally the day came when I was completely fine and I could fly like before. The immense joy that I saw in his face elated me. I too loved him and his company but we both knew that eventually I would have to leave and now the time had come. Bob had taught me an important lesson that all humans are not heartless. I knew I would miss him and swore to visit him again. We both then said our goodbyes to each other and I took off into the skies singing the song that I loved.

“I soar high up in the sky,
Welcoming each day with great joy.
Over hills, valleys, forests and beautiful waters I fly,
The mighty wind’s daughter am I.
No one can stop me; nothing can bring me down,
For I am strong and I won’t let anything harm me now.”

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One of the first and most important lessons that we have been taught, whether at our home or in the school, is about charity. Yet as we grow up, it somehow slips out of the minds of the majority of us. Nevertheless, there is a saying that goes, “It is better late than never”. So why not start now?
A few of the people who are interested in doing charity works refrain from them because they are of the opinion that humans have lost all their values and thus, do not deserve to be saved. Some others like me want to extend help towards the poor but are not sure if we are actually doing anything worthwhile. This is due to the evil that prevails in our society, wherein even the poor are involved in different rackets just to earn money through wrong means and doing so, some of them are now even richer than many hard working businessmen. Such instances cause us to lose our hope in humanity. So how can we possibly practice charity? So I have another alternative for all those who are interested in aiding the ones in need.

As we all know, animals are more pure in heart than us humans. Their intentions are always simple and true. They never have ulterior motives. All the people who own pets or who are very familiar with animals will also know that they are not selfish and will always put the ones they love before themselves. If this is not enough reason for you to consider helping the neglected ones, then I suggest that you personally make friends with animals and see for yourself as to how kind- hearted and loving they are. They are the ones who really deserve it.

PeTA is one such organization that is well known for its good works towards animals. It is a non-profit, world famous organization that was founded in 1980 and even today, works towards protecting animals in the different spheres that they are threatened. It is based in the United States of America but now has branches in other countries like India as well. PeTA is the largest animal rights group in the world and has the slogan, “animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, use for entertainment or abuse in any way.” It has taken up many social cases as well as court cases to stop evil against animals. Many famous personalities worldwide are involved with PeTA to promote the good cause.
There are centers of PeTA across India. Apart from these, there are also other organizations that work for the betterment of animals. Some of them are Help Animals India, People for Animals, PAWS (Pet Animal Welfare Society) etc. Since they are on a noble mission, we too, can help them in kind or even by becoming a member of such associations. If you really are interested in doing something good for the neglected animals, you can join the nearest animal help group and partake in their activities. This will not only help them but also give you a sense of joy for being able to do something for those in need. Charity does not always mean giving monetary help. An extended meaning of charity is love. It is of no use if we only love in our hearts. It is important to show our love in our words and deeds. Only then can we make a difference in the lives of our speechless friends.

All animals deserve rights to live in this world. Every day in countries around the world, animals are fighting for their lives. Just because we are the superior race, it does not mean that we can torture other beings and use them for our gain. Animals do not need rights to vote or contest the elections. All they require are some basic rights like the right to live a normal, happy life. Is that too much for them to ask? Is it too much for us to give? I am sure that each and every one of us has come across an instance of animal abuse happening in front of us, at least once in our lifetime. But how many of us actually attempted to stop it?

Animals are simple beings. They do not need much to be happy. A little bit of love and care from us would be sufficient for them. If you cannot do major things for them it is not a problem. The least you can do is to feed some strays near your house and spend some of your time with them. They will be ever grateful and will never forget you. But if you can do more for them then never hesitate. We must always keep in mind that if we help the ones who need it most, then in our times of trouble, help will surely come to us

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As an animal rights activist, you can try to better the condition of animals in our society. You can spread awareness about animal harassment and prevent it. You can also educate people in your community and positively affect their attitudes and lifestyles. Instead of just waiting for somebody else to bring about positive change, you yourself can be that change. Animals cannot speak up. So let us be their voice and take action. They too, have a life and therefore they too must be allowed to live it in happiness rather than fear.

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The first dilemma that almost everybody faces after bringing home a new pet is naming it. Just like naming a new born child, choosing a name for your pet can be quite challenging. Generally, people do not want to select names that are too common or too simple. Most of us look for something that is unique and unusual. Some pet owners have taken this notion one step further and have allotted such names to their pets that are not only different but also out of the world. Whether these names are funny or just weird, I’ll leave you to judge.
Wacky dog names

• Betty Poops
The owner of this Boston Terrier thought she bore a resemblance to the cartoon character ‘Betty Boop’, being black and white with huge eyes and a little mole. However, when she was brought home for the first time, she was very sick. She had serious stomach problems which made her poop more than often. Thus she earned her name ‘Betty Poops’. Due to the measures taken by her owner, Patricia Kline, Betty is completely healthy now although a little gassy at times.
• Captain Underpants
Allison Manderino wanted to select a name for her new dog that would match his goofy and spunky personality. So her brother suggested the name Captain Underpants as a joke but she thought that it was perfect. True to his name, this little doggie has saved the lives of many other dogs by donating blood for sick and injured dogs every five to seven weeks. He is not only fun- loving but also good natured.
• Stinky Monkey
On a cold and damp evening, Nina and her husband went to the airport to pick up their new pooch. Due to the weather, the shivering black Shih Tzu that was wet and soiled from his plane ride. Taking one look at him, Nina exclaimed that he looked more like a stinky monkey than a puppy. Hearing this, the little one started jumping around and wagging his tail frantically. Seeing this, Nina stuck with the same name.
• Geez Louise
At first, Bobby Mazza was not sure about getting a dog but his partner convinced him that it was a good idea. So they visited a Jack Russell Terrier breeder. But as they reached there all the dogs were just running around their feet. Trying to get them to stop, Craig shouted, “Geez Louise, will you just stand still?!” One little female stopped in her tracks and Craig picked her up. They thought she was the one and since Louise was the name of Bobby’s mother, he let the name stay.
Wacky Cat Names

• Snuggles Butt Le-Lee
When Madison Le-Lee rescued her one year old domestic medium haired kitten, he was so dirty that she could not tell whether he was brown or orange. She originally named him ‘Dirty Butt’. After she finished cleaning him thoroughly she found out that the cat was beautifully white.
The cat often follows Madison’s daughter around so that he can snuggle with her. He wraps his paws around her ankle while she drags him to the all the way to the door as she leaves home and promises to see him soon as she peels him off herself.

• Pizza Guy
Four year old Jonesy told his parents one day that he would name his future kids ‘Wolverine’ and ‘Pizza Guy’. Wanting to prevent this, his parents told him to name their future pets. After a year, when they were at a rescue organization, they saw a kitten with a triangle in the middle of his face in the shape of a slice of pizza. They considered this as a sign that he would be the newest member of their family and thus adopted him, naming him ‘Pizza Guy’.

• Cheeto Burrito
Cheryl Weiland received a kitten from her husband as a wedding present. She decided to name him Cheeto because he was orange and resembled the snack. The Weilands then decided to give him the last name Burrito because he liked curling up on blankets and being picked up from both sides, as if he were the meat of a burrito.

• Chenoa Azure Marshmellow-Puff
Erika Libby is of the opinion that a good pet name has to provide more than just a physical description. So she named her Himalayan cat after taking into account many aspects. Chenoa means “white dove.” Azure is the color of Chenoa’s eyes and Marshmellow Puff refers to her long white coat. This cat also has the unusual ability to chirp like a bird.
To some people, names like these might sound funny. To some other people, they are ridiculous. Quite a few people even go to the extent of calling the pet owners cruel for inflicting their pets with names that they themselves would not like to have. Nevertheless, I hope that this post has helped you to decide what you should name your pet, or rather, what you should definitely not name it.

The post The Name Game appeared first on Pet Attack.

All those who have watched the movie ‘Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde’, must have noticed how cosmetics companies use animals for testing their products and ingredients before they are actually confirmed to be used on people. The movie does not exactly show the process of testing though. Most people are under the impression that testing cosmetics on an animal means to apply lipstick, nail polish or mascara to the subject animal. This might seem to be a funny sight, right? But that is not how the tests take place. Read on to find out about the gruesome truth behind some of the famous brand names that many of us might make use of in our day- to – day life.

We all love our pets at home. Even if some pet lovers do not own any animals themselves, they make it a point to stop by, to pet or play with a stray on the road, even if it is just for a while. We love our animals like our own children and cannot bear to think of hurting them. Yet, we unknowingly use products that have been prepared after torturing and killing numerous animals. These are tested on animals first because they contain chemicals that can have dangerous side effects on people. It is now time for us to stop and think. We cannot let this go on and to stop it we need to first acquaint ourselves with the facts regarding this.
Primarily, we need to clear our misconceptions about the testing that takes place with animals in the laboratories.

• Animal testing does not involve only mice. Companies that conduct animal testing use many different species like rabbits, guinea pigs, fish, birds, cats and dogs, as well as mice and rats. These animals are usually bought from breeders or taken from shelters.
• It is not only cosmetic companies that test their products on animals. Many items purchased and used by consumers every day, such as household cleansers, cosmetics, drugs, cigarettes, paints, dyes, plastics, food additives and pesticides.
• The products are not just applied to the animals like they are on humans. It involves force feeding subject animals, skin and eye irritation tests like testing products on their shaved skin and inside their eyes. This is extremely torturous to the helpless animals.
• Generally, they are not taken care of well and no pain relief is administered to the animals and they suffer from excruciating pain. They are even burned, crippled or poisoned. Many animals even suffer from depression, anxiety and other psychological disorders in laboratories.
• The animals are not set free after the tests. Most animals are killed during the process or soon after. Even pregnant animals and their fetuses are killed mercilessly.
• Testing products on animals does not mean that they are safe on humans. Each species reacts differently to various substances. In fact, 92% of products that pass animal tests fail in human clinical trials because they are too dangerous or don’t work.

Is there a humane alternative?
Science has greatly advanced and now we have different alternatives that could be used instead of causing any harm animals. Companies can use ingredients that are already known to be safe, of which there are thousands. These ingredients have been safely used for decades or have been tested in the past and don’t require new testing. Companies can also use non-animal tests that are already available or invest in the development of new non-animal methods. Nearly 50 non-animal tests have been validated for use. Cell culture, molecular and computation methods are now well-developed scientific tools. Human skin cultures can be grown and purchased for testing skin irritation testing. Robotic technology can screen thousands of chemicals at once using cells grown in the lab. These modern alternatives can offer results that are not only more relevant to people, but faster, more efficient and cost-effective.

In March 2013, the European Union (EU) banned the sale of any cosmetics or cosmetics ingredients that have been tested on animals. This means that companies all around the world will have to abandon animal testing for cosmetics that they want to sell in the EU. Israel, too, has banned cosmetics testing on animals. The Drugs Controller General of India has suspended all tests on animals for cosmetics until non-animal methods are accepted, and the government is considering a permanent ban. However, in countries like China and the United States of America animals are still used to test cosmetics ingredients and products. Brazil also requires that some, but not all, cosmetics be tested on animals.
What can we do to stop this?
Firstly, we must try to stop purchasing products that employ such inhumane methods for their production. We should write to these companies to tell them why we do not support their product. The PETA website has a list of brands which use animal testing. Also, we must educate and urge more and more people to join together in large numbers and condemn this terrible practice.

It is true that giving up your favorite shampoo or lipstick is going to be hard. But just think of the number of animals that were hurt and killed. It is also true that we are not directly involved but we must keep in mind that the people who knowingly don’t try to do anything to stop wrong from happening, are actually partaking in it. One does not becoming an animal lover just by branding oneself that. The actions of that person must be such that work for the good of animals. Therefore, if people all around the world join hands to stop this then soon testing on animals will be banned in every single country and animals can live a safe and happy life.

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