Gone where the days when people thought dog as man’s best friend. The rich and famous have proved it all wrong by owning all sorts of exotic pets that range from reptiles to rats and lions to lemurs taking the human-animal bond totally to a new level. Some of them may look scary or risky to be kept in your house but these popular people have cross all bounds and levels to have an affectionate pet companion in their lives. Below is a list of few celebrities who chose not to be too mainstream in their selection of pets. Lets have a look.

 1. Tori Spelling

An award winning actress and author seems to be a dedicated animal lover and a proud owner of a lovely white chicken which she calls Coco Chanel. The pet has got all facilities that a pet dog can have with a dog bed next to its owners bedside and like any pet dog, the chicken goes around to places with her owner. Tori calls her a house chicken or a dog chicken. She doesn’t have a coop like other normal chicken in Tori’s backyard. She dresses her chicken and let her alone take posses for captures. She even pecks the dogs and other chickens which come close by. It is totally unexpected to have so much love and care towards a chicken pet but Tori loves her Coco like any other pet lover would.

2. Kristen Stewart

She appeared in news some time back, for reasons that other than her relationship issues. The actress’s mother is said to own several wolf-dog hybrids. Four not 100 percent wolves, named Jack, Lily, Tommy and Lola, stride on their own piece of land owned by mommy Stewart. Recently she was accused of keeping the animals illegally by her neighbor, to which she retaliated and defended her pets’ ownership.

P.s -And you thought Bella Swan belonged to the vampire team.

3. Leonardo Dicaprio

Jay Brewer Vella, the owner of reptile shop, was taken back when he saw Leonardo DiCaprio entered his shop one fine day. Knowing that the actor had an interest in tigers, he said in total surprise, “We had no idea he was coming.” The actor bought 38 pound, Sulcata tortoise for $400. Tortoise make good pets and give their owner a long company of 80 to 100 years. To this Leo made a note that tortoise make really good pets. The tortoise was the largest available in the retailer’s shop.

4. Nicole Kidman

Owning a farm in Nashville, the famous Nicole Kidman and her husband are raising their pet Alpacas, camel like fluffy animals with long eyelashes. Her 2 year old kid loves their pet and they even walk it around on a leash. Why [alpacas]? Because they’re pretty,” was her reply when inquisitives asked. “They have the long lashes. Have you seen them?” Seems the actress fell in love with animal’s long neck and eyelashes and admits that she would like to add a few snakes too, to her collection of pets.

5. Stewan Tailor

People go for all kind of weird pets, but Steven Tyler once crossed the limit by getting a pet raccoon. The American Idol judge and rock legend told on the famous show The Late Show With David Letterman that he used to put the raccoon on his shoulder and go for fishing every day. Raccoons are legal to own and their companionship can be compared to that of a dog. Contrary to the belief that raccoons attack people as shown in certain flicks, these pets can be litter box trained and make good pets.

6. Goeorge Clooney

He owned a potbelly pig whom he named Max. Sad to say his beloved pet is no more. We quoted him saying that the pet was like a family member to him. It lived with Clooney’s in his home at Hollywood Hills. The pet was 19 years old when he died peacefully of natural causes. He owned the pig for 18 long years and said that the pet was his longest relationship. It came as a surprise to the actor when he heard the news of his pet death since it considered him big part of his life.

 7. Slash

Slash, the guitarist from the famous American Rock Band, Guns & Roses  is said to be fascinated by reptiles and dinosaurs. From early age he started petting and caring for snakes. In 2008 he almost had hundred snakes, lizards and crocodiles at his home. Slash also been a supporter of Los Angeles Zoo and an advocate for many zoos across world. He even received Tom Mankiiewicz Leadership Award for his contribution and involvement in wildlife and environment protection. His  list of pets include Mickey (black-and-white rat), Jack (Jackson’s chameleon), Clyde and Sam (anacondas), Pandora (boa constrictor which appears in “Patience” music video), Jacob (another boa that Slash gave to the Los Angeles Zoo), Adrianna (Burmese python) and Curtis (mountain lion).

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The smallest breed of dog in the world, Chihuahua got its name from the Chihuahua state in Mexico. The progenitor of the breed was found in the same place in 1850s though the origin of the breed is still deduced from many different theories. Right from the traces in the Great Pyramid of Cholula and ruins of Chichen Itza to the discovery of a similar looking dog effigy to 1325 AD in Georgia, there are various arguments over the breed’s origin. History is by-gone, now these little dogs have become the most popular breeds as a toy dog. A litter may have pups that may differ drastically in weight and size. Chihuahuas give you a good long company of up to 20 years if cared well for. They are good pets to keep and easy to take around. They are feather light so just hold them into your arms and carry on. A quirky breed, it doesn’t need much exercise. If not anything it will be a loyal protective companion at least.

Appearance

There are two breeds of Chihuahua, recognized by the hair length- the short haired and the long-haired. The height ranges from 6-9 inches however some breeds even grow to 12 to 15 inches tall while the weight of around 1.8 to 2.7 kilograms is considered healthy. They have big round eyes, ears that stand erect and round or sometimes deer like skull. Their furs can have velvety touch or can be upright like whiskers. Surprisingly the short haired breeds shed more hair than the ones with long hair. The fur color is a mix of hues that range from solido red, cream, brown and spotted.

Temperament & Traits

The behavior of the owner greatly affects the behavior of the Chihuahua. Temperamental Chihuahuas can get provoked easily and may even attack, so it is better not to have this breed in a family with small children. Sometimes they may become possessive towards their owner and may even attack in the act of protecting them. Children of 13 years or above can manage with the dog if properly taken care of. Chihuahuas don’t get along well with other breeds as much as their own breeds. Despite being the smallest in the canine family of dogs, they dare to show their bold side at other dogs. They usually sneak into small places making their own den kind of thing. They also love to bury themselves under pillows, blankets, clothes and bottom of beds. Many people treat Chihuahuas like a doll or a baby, carrying them everywhere along, shushing them playfully, ignoring signs of aggressive display and swaying it all off in one or two excuse maybe. But the reality is the temperament of your dog totally depends on how you raise it. They generally get suspicious towards strangers. A  Chihuahua cab be trained to various things including not barking at anyone and everyone. They bark because they usually get suspicious about strangers which is the first sign towards building a tendency of biting.

Health

Chihuahuas require extra care in case of births and dental care. They also have tendency to have some genetic disorders generally neurological like epilepsy and seizure. They don’t grow equally in a litter, with drastic variations in weight and height among their siblings. Chihuahuas have larger eyes hence more chances of eye infections and watery eyes due to dry air or air-borne allergies. They also shiver when excited, stressed or feeling cold. The ones with shorter coats are less tolerant than their counter breeds. They usually like to be in sun or under blankets to get warmth. They would look for the tiniest sunspot and gather themselves there to warm up. It is recommended to make them wear something warm during winters, specially the breed with shorter hair.

Taking Care

People buy toy dogs out of wish, of just to have one, but they don’t realize that a breed this small can be easily injured or stepped over. Now that you know they have tendency to hide under pillows and blankets, you might sit on one, unknowingly or maybe hurt him, while he has slit under the sofa pillow.  Proper care is required towards the breed and they should be always kept under your eyes so that you are assured, they don’t run away and injure themselves. It is better to put them on leash and getting themselves to injury. They jump around and use their front claws like cats, so if you have leather furniture just be careful with this little devil, as they even have tendency to chew off your possessions. Your home should be comfortable enough with not too many holes and spaces as these dogs tend to snug themselves almost everywhere. Chihuahuas shed a lot of hair, but that also depends upon which is it.

Like every dog or any pet for that matter, your Chihuahua requires a lot of attention. If you work late and have  little time for your pet then this breed is not the right choice. Your pet will gift you with its tremendous loyalty and compassion.

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Birds make good pets, but before I begin I would like to add a personal note to it. If you really want to keep birds as pets don’t cage them all the time. They have got wings for a reason. So if you saw your neighbor getting a pair of love birds home and you wish to get a bird friend too, go for a parrot. Parrots are social and intelligent birds. They are trainable and develop very strong bonds with their owners. You can cuddle them; play with them, they simple love interaction, be it with their owners or other parrots. Now that you have decided upon buying a pet parrot, you have got a number of species to choose from.

 Parrots as Pets

There are a lot of things to keep in mind if you have decided to keep a parrot as pet. Some of them include cost, space available in house, interaction and time spent with your pet. Generally parrots’ diet includes a variety of fresh fruits and veggies, sprouts, nuts and seeds. Parrots create a lot of mess while eating; one has to be patient to clean the cage regularly. Be careful when you let the parrot out of cage, usually parrots have tendency of chewing upon things like furniture. Protect your belongings before you let the parrot out of the cage. Parrots need exercise and should be left free to roam around in the house. May be you can make a place to play around. Parrots screech and create lot of noise. The owners should be committed towards the pet, and should give enough time and attention to the pet. Parrots are social birds. They need attention from their owners. They might get irritated and can cause a lot of destruction if not comfortable. If you think you can’t pay required attention to your bird pet, then better by it a companion.

Parakeets

These tiny parrots are about 7 to 12 inches in length. Caring for parakeet involves going for regular round to a veterinarian, even at first signs of illness. Also parakeets shouldn’t be kept with other species of parrots, they don’t along much together. It might lead to behavioral problems. Parakeets are good at learning and can be easily trained. They can be trained to talk, sit on owners shoulder, perform tricks etc. But all of this is only possible if your pet is comfortable with you. A strong bond needs to be built before you start making him learn things. They love petting and pampering. Care need to be taken care as they get ill easily. Proper cleaning of cage, regular change in water, washing of food and water dishes, regular exercise, and proper nutrition needs to be taken care of. The bird’s cage should be placed at some secure place, away from too much noise and direct sunlight.

Cockatiel

They are usually grey or cream yellow in color with blushing cheek patches. The difference between male and female is so undistinguishable visibly that a DNA test needs to be done. Cockatiels require more seeds in their food. Some other food items include broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, corn and few fruits like apple, mango, pear and pineapple. Chocolates, ice-creams, pastries etc should be strictly avoided. These birdies require big cages, preferably longer in length than in height. Cockatiels don’t usually learn to talk but males can be made to talk and whistle more likely than females. Patient and soft training sessions can possible earn good results. Breeding is a little difficult and requires time and commitment. It is best practice to delay breeding until your pet is mentally and physically mature enough.

Parrotlets

The most popular parrot species is a beautiful blue colored Pacific Parrotlet as the name justifies. Now several colored mutations have been developed though. These species though puny are bolder than expected on seeing their size. There are different species even in Parrotlets based on their color and size. Green Parrotlets are a little smaller than Pacifics and slightly intimidated by new things while Spectacle Parrotlets, which are similar to Greens in size, turn out to be more curious and inquisitive. The cage size for parrotlets should be 18” in length breadth and height on an average. The cage should be longer than being tall. These species require a lot of food in contrast to their size. This mostly includes fresh fruits and veggies, grains, seeds and high protein foods. Fresh clean water is must for you pet. They bond well with person who spend maximum time with them.

African Grey

Considered to be the most intellegent of  all parrot species, it originally belonging to Africa, is about 12 to 13 inches in length from beak to tail. A big bird, if you have decided to pet it, you should consider having a big cage and spacious living place for your parrot. They will give you company till 50, although some can even live till the age of 70+. These are intelligent beings and that shows in their behavior. They are affectionate towards their owners, but if bored or frustrated it will create havoc. As the name says they have grey feathers, with threads of white over the fur and black beak. They have shiny red tail color in contrast to old grey look. Like other parrots their diet includes fresh fruits and vegetables but they can even be fed pelleted food along with egg, cheese bits and nuts and seeds. They provide a good company and can easily be trained to talk. If properly cared for they develop strong bond with their owners. But care should be taken as to what you speak in front of them as they tend to repeat everything and remember it too all thanks to their high IQ levels. That may land you in trouble later.

Macaws

Macaws are large, colorful parrots named after their feather colors like scarlet macaws, blue and gold macaws, military macaws and hyacinth macaws. There also exist mini-macaws which include species like Hahn’s noble and yellow colored macaws. They reach to a length of 20 – 40 inches depending upon the species. The life span is about 30-50 years though if cared well they live beyond that. They are playful, exuberant, and affectionate and remain happy when they get enough attention from their owners. Yes they screech, they are loud and noisy. They have excellent ability to imitate but not as good as African Grey. Macaws need large cage about 24”x36”x48” for an average size macaw. The cage must be strong enough to withstand their strong beaks. Since they are quite playful, you can get them wooden toys to chew upon and play with and some hangings to climb upon. Their diet can include pelleted food with usual fresh fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds.

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My usual pastime is surfing the net for cute dog or cat pictures. I came upon one such picture wherein a puppy wearing a jacket that said,” Service dog in training”, was sitting on the grass. This term perked my curiosity. I asked Google, what is a service dog? A link to a movie named ‘Quill: The life of a Guide Dog’ popped up. I clicked on it and could not stop watching what the movie had to show for 1 hour and 40 minutes! This movie is about a dog named Quill which is sent by his mother’s owner to trainers who give him basic training. Then the trainers send him to a dog trainer, who specifically deals in training guide dogs for the visually impaired. After his training is complete, Quill is selected to assist a blind man and they both train together to walk, work etc. in harmony. Quill serves him till he passes away and serves as a demonstration dog till he becomes too old to work. In the last year of his life he is sent to his first trainers home, where he dies after living with them for a year. This movie beautifully captures how a chosen puppy is trained to be a guide dog for the blind. It also shows how he helps his handler to overcome his physical disability and makes him faster and safer to walk to work on his own. This movie touched my heart and I started researching on ‘Service dogs’. To my amazement, I was introduced to a whole new world of how dogs are a gift of god to humans!

All through history dogs have served man, in peace and war, guarding his home and livestock from intruders, carrying and pulling heavy loads and being a loyal companion. In times of war, dogs have served as messengers, sentries, scouts and lifesavers. In the modern-day fight against crime, dogs assist in sniffing out drugs and explosives and tracking down wanted criminals. In recent times dogs have been busy giving a new lease of life to people who are physically challenged. A service dog is a type of assistance dog that is specifically trained to help people who havedisabilitiesincludingvisual difficulties, hearing impairments, mental illness, seizures, diabetes, autism, and more. The most commonly used service dog breeds are Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Golden, but any breed can be used. I discovered that for each handicap, physical or mental, a different type of service dog is used. The different types of service dogs are (according to Wikipedia):

• Autism service dog: An autism service dog is a service dog trained to assist a person with autism to help them gain independence and the ability to perform activities of daily living similar to anyone else. For the most part, these dogs are trained to perform tasks similar to those of service dogs for other sensory processing disorders.

• Guide dog: Guide dogs or ‘Seeing Eye dogs’ are assistance dogs trained to lead blind and visually impairedpeople around obstacles.
• Hearing dog: A hearing dog is a type of assistance dog specifically selected and trained to assist people who are deaf or hard of hearing by alerting their handler to important sounds, such as doorbells, smoke alarms, ringing telephones, or alarm clocks. They may also work outside the home, alerting to such sounds such as sirens, forklifts and a person calling the handler’s name.
• Medical response dog: A medical response dog is a service dog trained to assist an individual who has a medical disability.
• Psychiatric service dog: A psychiatric service dog is a specific type of service dog trained to assist their handler with a psychiatric disability, such as post-traumatic stress disorder or schizophrenia.
• Seizure response dog: Seizure response dogs are a special type of service dog, specifically trained to help someone who has epilepsy or a seizure disorder. They can summon help, move potentially harmful objects away from the person’s body, block the person from walking into danger during a seizure, attempt to rouse the person, provide physical and emotional support and carry information regarding the person’s medical condition and oxygen.
• Mobility assistance dog: A mobility assistance dog is a service dog trained to assist a physically disabled person who has mobility issues, which may include being wheelchair-dependent. They provide balance and stability, pull wheelchairs, carry and pick up things for persons with mobility impairments, open and close doors, and operate light switches.

Like our pets, service dogs of any kind know all the basic commands of ‘sit’, ‘come’, ‘go’, ‘fetch’ etc. But on top of that, they can perform many activities that our pets cannot since they have not been trained that way. For example, when the harness of a service dog is on, it knows it has to be serious and is at work! It is advised not to pet a service dog unless having asked the owner permission. Distracting a service dog is considered disruptive. It cannot bark, relieve itself, eat or do anything apart from helping its handler when its harness is on. Some of the things service dogs can do are pick up dropped objects, fetch a telephone, drop articles in a waste paper basket, open and close doors, speak on command to alert of an intruder, bark for help, get help in an emergency, load and unload the washing machine, switch on and off light switches, fetching items from a cupboard, shelf, refrigerator or a drawer, be a support, carry items from one person to another,reduce the anxiety of a person with post-traumatic stress disorder by putting its head on the patient etc.

After a service dog retires, the handler is the first choice to keep it. But if the handler cannot manage to keep it, the dog’s first trainer is the next one in queue to keep it. If by chance, they refuse to keep it, it goes through an adoption pool and goes into a home after a careful screening process. Since they are very well trained, the demand to adopt a retired service dog is so high that the waiting list may go on for years! I wish I could adopt one too!

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The little puppy has now come home. The little life will be your companion and responsibility. The puppy is like a small infant who has to be molded and brought up in the right way. The only difference here is that the puppy doesn’t understand the human language and thus with a lot of patience and care needs to be taught the right from wrong.

The puppy needs to be firstly given a couple of puppy shots by a vet. The vet will also provide syrups to add to calcium to its food intake. This needs to be given at least till the puppy is a year old. In case of big canines, strong bones are a must to balance out its body weight. So these medicines in the form of syrup need to be either mixed with milk or the puppy food. Also it is extremely important for the puppy to get its timely nutrition adequately. This will help the puppy to develop into a strong and healthy dog in the future.

The first few weeks just let the puppy ease up and get accustomed to the house and the family members. This is a subtle way of saying that the puppy will pee and poop in places it wishes to do so. This can be a little tiring and makes you even want to second guess as to why you had to take up an additional role when you’re already finding it difficult to deal with your life crisis. But trust me, it’s worth it!

It’s a gradual procedure to potty train your puppy. Use the cloth that you wipe the pee with and keep it in the toilet or terrace where the puppy could pee in the house. Once it gets the smell from the cloth the dog will make sure that it has its pee spot intact. Similarly with the pooping part but however it takes longer for them to get accustomed to pooping in one place. Every time you see them going round and round in a particular stop it is a sign they are about to poop. Instead of scrubbing the floor and picking up the poop, you can put a newspaper when it crouches to poop. It’s not advisable to take puppies to gardens at least till they are six months old as they may contract diseases quickly due to their low immunity system. Try taking them for walks below your building at times that suit your schedule. And make sure you put a mouth guard for your puppy. The puppies are usually tempted to eat rubbish and you don’t want them falling ill. Make sure you stick to the similar time everyday and eventually it becomes a habit.

The feeding habits also may vary in the initial few weeks. The puppy may feel lonely a couple of days and may just stick to drinking water. But don’t fret or eat your heart out in the bargain at such incidences. Its quiet normal to do so! Eventually the food intake begins. The vet usually suggests the food to be given to the puppy. The puppy foods are suggested because they are wholesome and give the puppy an all round development. Also foods like boiled eggs, curd rice and milk can also be a part of the routine diet

Training them is another work you have to do in the first few months. Especially because they are teething and have a tendency to rip apart your beautiful furniture and expensive stilettos. The trick of training them is by using firm but affirmative orders and also a little treat never hurts anybody! They usually understand signs better than words, so make sure you use the same word for the action you expect your puppy to do. Its not difficult but you do need to invest some great amount of time and make sure you repeat the drill of using words every day.

When your puppy is chewing on something, use your words and be firm. Say a ‘No’ firm so that the puppy understands from your tone that whatever they are doing isn’t acceptable. If they don’t understand initially stop them from doing it by saying a firm ‘No’. Making them learn tricks like sit, stand, shake hands or paw needs a little bit of treat. Although bribing is a bad thing but it works like a charm and puppies do get motivated. It is important that you acknowledge every little accomplishment and effort put in by the puppy by rubbing his neck or forehead and calling them a good puppy!

The puppies have a lot of irritation when they undergo teething so make sure you have adequate chewable toys for it to nibble upon. Chew sticks are also pretty good although they may take a whole week to chew on it. A more natural substitute would be the tender coconut shell. They enjoy chewing on something so huge and juicy. It also keeps them active and keeps their focus off the home appliances and furniture.

The puppy takes a few weeks to get accustomed to their new surroundings. However, they are fast learners and the willingness to train them would help them learn ever faster. Everybody has a different home environment with a puppy with a different nature. At the end its all a matter of learning through trial and error. I don’t believe in professional trainers because they use some pretty strenuous methods to teach the puppies. Also they are expensive and the puppies become used to the trainers giving commands. So when you try to do the exact same thing as the trainer, you will be surprised to find a little less enthusiasm in doing the tricks.

The more time you spend with your puppy, more is the growth of the bond that you both will share. Its really surprising the things you will also learn in the process of nurturing this little bundle of joy who has nothing but unconditional love to offer. And the world could definitely use some love!

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Dogs are the only pets who understand human beings thoroughly and qualify to be service/therapy animals. This is an attempt to capture the account of one such guardian angel Sonic, who went on to support his own mentor who taught him the basic instincts for survival on war-ground.  His mentor, the ‘handler’ (an army soldier with an additional responsibility of training ‘service dogs’) taught him companionship, protection, detection and entertainment.  On the handler’s disablement, the dog (his ‘’pet’’) takes the lead and reciprocates his unconditional love, loyalty and dedication to his master.

“Park is a nice place. Trees, mushy grass, soft breeze and most of all, nice people. Every day, I get to look at scores of pet-parents strolling in the park with their pets. I have come to recognize many of them. Not that I envy their pets, but I feel I’m somewhat different. Not a pet-material, you see! Sitting idly or playing with a ball/Frisbee in the owner’s lawn or being shown to vets for “maintenance”: I would rather not be a part of all these.  I was not born to be an arm candy.

People around, are awestruck to see me taking the lead of my disabled master. Slowly and carefully I tow the lightweight wheelchair-bound war veteran, who was wounded-in-action. I’m there for everything he needs, from picking up dropped things to pulling his clothes from the wardrobe. I keep his depression at bay by taking him on long wheelchair-walks for a fresh breath of air and to catch-up with the world outside. While keeping his fragile health condition in mind, I tend not to make him tired, and guide him back home.  

I’m Sonic, a Germanshepherd, an ex-MWD (ex-Military Working Dog) called “K-9”. Handpicked out of thousands of dogs who appeared for selection, I was among the 700 odd dogs to be trained for 18 weeks at ‘Air Force Base’. And was one of the 530 dogs, who successfully completed the grueling training program and got stationed in search mission/operations in 2005 by AF (Air Force). For most of the time, in my 7 years of service, my master (who is disabled now) was my ‘handler’ .In the army, he was fondly called “MOS31K”. I was trained to sniff out explosives, and helped seize crores of rupees worth of buried/hidden explosives wrapped in 8-12 layers of different materials.

‘Atom’, my best friend, was a golden retriever. He too, specialized in sniffing out explosives. Unfortunately, in the year 2009, he died in a blast when trying to unearth a huge quantity of liquid explosive (Isopropyl nitrate). I attended his ‘full-police-funeral’.

He would have been proud if he knew he got the highest respect, a dog can ever get. How I wish I could have died-in-service to get a ‘full-police-funeral’, but nevertheless, I am proud that I not only survived all the war camps and search missions but am also serving my ‘handler’ as a ‘pet’ post my retirement in 2012.  

Once retired, my army colleagues (military dogs) were euthanized, but changes in legislation and law, in the year 2000, made it possible for us ex-MWDs to be adopted as pets.  Since, I got trained under the ‘Puppies behind Bars’ program, (which certified me to assist military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder) I was one among the very few dogs to be designated as a ‘service-cum-therapy’ dog. 

On the adoption day, my disabled master was offered to adopt me as a ‘service-cum-therapy’ dog, but he refused. Since we were a team earlier, he wanted to adopt me as a ‘pet’ only. He wanted me as a companion, and a trustworthy aide. The war had not only left him injured but had orphaned him too. His brain injury restricted his locomotion and he surely needed help, but as a hardcore ‘military personnel’ at heart, his steely will-power prevents him from accepting and surrendering to his limitations.  

He took me home, and for the first few days, I observed that he was alone, needy and deserved help, but he would not allow me to help him in any manner. I was put into a predicament. My mind commanded me to help him whereas his orders refrained me from doing so. He used to order me to behave like a ‘pet’ and not like a ‘service-cum-therapy’ dog. Gradually, I figured out what to do. I didn’t want to make my master feel weak and ‘in the lurch’. I knew he was too proud to take my help as he was my ‘handler’ and he taught me my baby steps, he forgot that I grew with him, mentored by him, and learnt responsibility from him, so playfully, and without his knowledge I started supporting him.

Eventhough he leads a retired life, he follows a simple but strict routine and I am thorough of all of it. Brushing his teeth is the first ‘ordeal’. Yes, ‘Ordeal’.  He hardly could get up from his wheelchair which doubles as his couch. From there, picking up his automatic-toothbrush, I can see his face wriggle with pain and most of the times his fingers would not hold it, and there it falls! Now picking it up was a bigger ordeal.

I playfully run and grab it from the floor and run around him as if I am teasing him to snatch it from me. Keen to grab the toothbrush from me, he falls prey to my prank and wouldn’t even know that I’m trying to help him. I play this “Snatch-this-if-you-can!” game twice or thrice while he tries to grab it and pretend to lose the game.  

Back then, he used to start his day by jogging 3 miles a day wearing his favorite jogging-shoes. His muscles were firm and strong as a result of this daily routine.  But today, the shoes lay untouched and his muscles are weak and un-exercised. I can’t see him live in this condition anymore.  Just like the toothbrush, I play the “Snatch-this-if-you-can!” taking away his shoes and later “losing’’ them to him.

One day, while chasing me around the house for his shoes, he fell off his wheelchair. And in the spirit of the game he slowly managed to hold the door nearby and stood on his own, only to fall back onto his wheelchair. These little games and tricks keep him occupied for the entire day. Now, he has got the strength to wear those shoes, and by holding a firm surface and leaning against the wall, he slowly gets up from his wheelchair. I know it has taken some time but I will not give up on him.

Don’t be surprised, very soon my master is going to walk with me to the park for our evening stroll.  

 From being a vegetable stuck to his wheelchair, my master has come a long way. From taking his baby steps, he’ll surely return to his 3 mile jogging routine. Now, it is for you to decide who the handler is, me or my master.”  

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Here is the real truth about cats and dogs- they are just not as desirable as they used to be to a new generation of pet lovers. These days exotic is the new buzzword when it comes to having a pet- and from horses to guinea pigs, parakeets and white mice, Indians are increasingly choosing the more unusual option. And when they do opt for a cat or a dog, there is an unique request like a Brown Labrador or a Persian cat. Exotic is the new trend and people are hugely buying into it.
People are becoming more experimental about the kind of pets they want, especially small animals which they can easily keep in smaller places and flats. But even as animal breeders seek to introduce new varieties into the country, ultimately for most pet owners, there is only one reason to choose an animal, bird, fish or a more exotic creature and that’s the love, affection, companionship they receive from their pets.
You are in the market for a new pet, but cats are too insolent, dogs are too subservient and tropical fish can’t garner any envy from your neighbour. There is no need for despair, as there is a massive- and mostly legal exotic pet business that makes the rare, the freakish and the wildly expensive companions available for purchase.
There is a seperate allure of owing exotic pets. A Menagerie in the house, snakes wrapped around any kind of a post, rhesus monkeys leaping from counter to counch, lions sunning themselves on your gravel driveway, capuchins and bears and wolves hugging you and clambering over you; the experience or if an imagination in itself will be awesome. They are the most unusual animals kept in captivity and there can be a difficulty in meeting their needs. But this challenge is a must if you house exotic animals, under the law of Animal Welfare Act.
FENNEC FOX is a small desert fox, one of the most popular mammals because they thrive with the owner being more ‘easier’ to manage. Unlike other foxes they make good house pets. They are high maintenance animals but are harmless.
BENNET’S WALLABY are simply too small, unlike kangaroos. They come with no possible threat and should be kept in a sufficient pen with available shelter. They thrive in domestic settings after adolescence and are cool and calm to handle.

SUGAR GLIDER are popular marsupials who weigh not more than five ounces. Their lively and curious nature help them bond with the humans. They are social and nocturnal and tend to seek attention. They need suitable environment and diet which sometimes become a matter of concern.
KINKAJOU are nocturnal rainforest mammals, friendly and affectionate and therefore can enjoy human companionship. They have sharp, carnivorous teeth, marshmallows and gummi bears. This preserves their wicked, bacteria loaded bite for when scared.

BENGAL CATS have no relation to the Bengal Tiger but is a hybrid creation featuring pre-designed genetic characteristics that are cross-bred with the likes of something more exotic like an Asian Leopard cat. The result is a new feline breed that acts more like a mellow domestic but looks like he just walked off the Savannah plains. The more pure bred the cat, the more costly it is.
MUNTJAC DEER are kept by some as House Pets as they are unique to their larger counterparts. They reach the size of a large housecat, are extremely affectionate and thrive with proper human care. A deer indoors can sound a bit bizarre to your neighbour but they are excellent pets, apart from the owner’s dealing with the chewing habit of this species.
SPOTTED GENET are wild African exotic mammals, attractive due to their harmless intimidating look. They are higly energetic nocturnal and arboreal ‘cat-ferret’. They combine several good qualities of other animals as well as possessing some of their own, making a rewarding pet for the right owners. They are skittish, hate to e restrained by human’s; scratch marks can be expected. Every Gennet owner knows their animal’s behaviour well.
BOBCATS are great pets; a small exotic feline, correct for homes but the trouble is deciphering how the ‘right owner’ of these animals are. Bobcat owners must be willing to fully anticipate issues like spraying, aggression, the need for outdoor enclosures and other modifications to accomodate potentially destructive factors, whether they occupy or not.
CAPYBARA AND PANTAGONIAN CAVIES are the world’s largest rodent clocking in at 150+ pounds and their alone world could arouse interest from the non-exotic pet owner’s crowd. Pantagonians are small, terrestrial versions who just require some room to roam and obviously aren’t dangerous.

The word ‘exotic’ can frighten many people but little do many people know that when they support exotic pet bans, they may be empowering bans for their own pets. The word ‘exotic’ was never synonymous to the words “large” and “dangerous” but this is what people associate them with. Animal Rights Groups are not ignorant to the word- they just keep quiet on their anti-position towards more common and less overtly threatening animals such as hedge dogs and other reptiles. Housing Exotic creatures can sound a little weird and can even invite objection from your neighbour, but you enter into a completely unique pet world which thus becomes an experience of a lifetime. No wonder, your attachment with them becomes exotic and memorable.

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LIVING WITH A DOG MIGHT NOT ALWAYS PROVIDE WITH FUN TIMES

Everyone has heard the infamous saying: “DOGS ARE A MAN’S BEST FRIEND”, but what one may often forget is that unlike your human pals, dogs MUST BE TAMED. It is one of those facts that one may choose to avoid or conveniently ignore. But what one forgets is that, treating a dog like a family member will lead to more problems for oneself. There might be several reasons for one to get a pet like a dog- isolation in family or be it that lost feeling of being loved, getting one for someone’s birthday, anniversary or separation. A newly built family- one with a baby requires for a tamed dog so as to make sure that the baby is safe from the dog and the dog keeps the baby safe from unwanted activities or people. Which is why one primary reason for getting a pet-especially a dog could be for enhancing the security level in one’s house. One must therefore make sure that the arrival of this special member serves that very vital purpose, fruitfully. Hence comes the important task of TRAINING ONE’s DOG.

GETTING STARTED:

It isn’t very difficult of a task to do when one actually comes down to it. A bit of research, and solicited advice from owners of trained dogs could be the start to this journey that one wants to embark upon.

1. IDENTIFICATION:-

Firstly one must identify their needs in accordance to which the dog has to be trained; for example: if one requires the dog for safety of the house, or for safety of their family members or for both. Generally, one gets a dog for both of these reasons which is why one must chose a dog that suits the personality of being ferocious enough against unwanted bodies yet be friendly with all known entities. A dog like a Labrador, Golden Retriever, German shepherd, Dobermans, and Bulldogs tend to serve such a task efficiently. Such dogs compliments their master’s needs and wants. Labradors are known to the Police bodies for having a very good smelling ability to track down useful evidences as well as serve the needs of blind persons by acting like an eye for the disabled. For the isolated ones who lack enough family members, dogs help fill the void by being the bundle of joy that they are from the very time that they are pups till the very end, they complement their own old age that may extend up to 15 years with one’s human old age.

2. TRAINING YOURSELVES:

Secondly, one must take into consideration the very important fact that one must be able to devote decent period of time to be able to train their dogs. Dogs require patience and hard work. Just like how much time we take to retain information, dogs tend to take little or more time with respect to their own mental and physical capabilities. Thus, one should be considerate enough to work with dogs so as to reap the benefits with time. Taking out even 15-20 minutes every day could work wonders for one. Thirdly, using the correct “dog slang” in the form of commands is very significant.Terms like STAY, HEEL, or even a simple term like NO must be taught decorously. For instance, when one tries to make the dog give them a handshake or a hi-five, they must teach the dog the very same by making use of their paws so as to be able to make them to do same, correctly. The process may require one to make the dog use his paw a million of time before he gets it right, but like mentioned earlier, one must carry patience with themselves to be able to train their dogs to perfection. When it comes down to hardcore training of even that of a pup- one must be able to teach their dogs to not over chew or bite into valuables of the house. A problem that almost all users face is that half of their furniture or their food gets stolen, destroyed, dismantled or eaten by their faithful pets which must be stopped from the very beginning. Which is where LEASH TRAINING also comes in handy. One must not be scared of putting their dogs on leash or in a cage for it allows the dogs to realize on their own their wrong doings. Showing the dogs what they have done wrong by consistently saying NO to their wrong doings is the correct way of handling such situations and not by giving them a treat after scolding them. For dogs to urinate or take a dump around the whole house might be the start of their potty training which allows for them to realize that they do not live in a park, or a street. For them to be able to answer the nature’s call at the right place becomes essential for the masters lifestyle. One might also consider joining a facility so as to interact with others on a regular basis in order to share each others experiences, troubles and hardships when training their respective dogs. For those who do not stay much at their homes, or work outside frequently it becomes imperative to carry out such training themselves so that they are not completely unaware of what they might face with their pets.

3. TEACHING THEM THE HARD WAY:

One of the most important stages of training comes when one trains their pets to welcomes guests, so that instead of terrifying the guests away by barking continuously or howling at a very high decibel, they act in the proper diligent manner that could help build their impressions in front of the guests. One must even try to make sure that the dogs are given the most suitable of places to live in so that they don’t interfere in their master’s comfortable bedding and chew the pillows and blankets away. Building shelter for their living is a part of this beautiful process that if one volunteers to take up could result in being nurturing as well as educational for many. Thus one must love thy dogs, assure to keep them safe for they will give what you give them and would treat you in the very same way of how one treats them. Happy Dog Training!

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Birds are gentle, delicate and charming animals. They do not want to ride bicycles, stand on their heads, balance on balls or jump through rings of fire, but birds in circuses have no choice. Trainers use abusive tools, including whips and electric prods, to force them to perform. These animals also suffer from loneliness, boredom and frustration from being locked in cramped cages or chained for months on end as they travel from city to city. Instead of being loaded and unloaded like mere furniture into the trucks and warehouses, these animals should be in their natural habitat- exploring, seeking mates and raising families. Even better, they deserve love and affection from the humans when kept as pets.
Birds in circuses lead an endless life of torture and confinement. They are forcefully trained and compelled to perform under the threat of beatings. Circuses portray a distorted view of the birds- limiting their access to the basic necessities of food and drink, unjustly treating them, gifted with harsh abuses and intolerable seclusion at any point of time. They are bound to suffer. Birds in circuses are also kept in horrendous conditions. They are kept in confinement and their wings are clipped to stop them from flying away. They are abandoned if the circus cannot afford them anymore.

Roosters are often raised for fighting. They are kept in strong enclosures and tormented to make them more aggressive. Razor sharp spurs are attached to the bird’s feet to make fights more exciting. The birds suffer from broken wings and legs, fractured, punctured lungs, severed spinal cords and gouged-out eyes. Those who die during or after the fight can be called the lucky ones because the survivors are forced to fight again. Although cockfighting is illegal under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960, many birds are forced to fight to death every year in different parts of the country. Gambling is the rule of cockfighting. Young children find such bird fights very fascinating which is another way for showing insensitiveness towards animal suffering and result in further kinds of cruelty and maltreatment for the birds.
“But for the use for physical punishment by, and fear of their oppressors; animals would never be a part of circus”, Richard Pryor, an American actor and comedian once quoted. Life in circus is miserable. Forcing to do certain activities only for the sake of the fun of others is an extreme cruel attitude of the humans deserves no applaud. Birds are sensitive and belong to the wild nature. They should be free. Birds look lovely when they are unloosened and fly around liberately.

Many types like Harrier birds, Parrots, Macaws are popularly known to be kept in circuses and their fate is inter-wined with the tragic circus life for ages. This however comes with limited refinements and absolute nil license to independence. Have you ever given it a thought that despite the showy advertisements, circus life is agonizing. Barbarity and fear tactics, intimidation is what they rely on to force birds to unnatural and confusing tricks. They do not get love and care. They probably even do not know what it is. Instead of slowly progressing towards a brutal death, birds need a home to survive and someone to take care of it well. It is only the humans who can be the best caretakers for them, not through beatings but rather tender care and concern. Adding a new pet bird to your family brings lots of happiness and joy along with it. They are perfect pets that will fit with your lifestyle without taking much time. Apartment living makes the birds look attractive and they shine in glory. They are always brimming with energy and we make sure to channel their efficacy in the correct direction, without any force or bestiality.

There are several reasons why birds don’t belong to the circus.
* Birds are extremely intelligent animals. They have a remarkable capacity to learn new things. They use their brains differently. They make a delightful pet to owners dedicated to constantly enriching the bird’s environment. How much fun would it be to have a pet actually talk to you.
*Birds are easier to care as pets. All they need is love and consideration. They do not need much attention throughout the day. Daily walks or feeding is not a headache. While it’s true that a bird can stay free inside a house, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are less demanding. Birds aren’t pretty cage ornaments. So while the cage is a convenient confinement, long hours inside a cage, unattended, is not healthy for your bird.
*Birds are easy to train since they love to learn and grab attention from humans. Training is given for the sense of plain fun. But we cannot plan for her all by ourselves. Birds learn things according to their capacity.
*Birds are interesting to have around. They are incredibly beautiful and vibrantly coloured. Their behaviour is fun to observe and lower our stress level. Birds are not the home decor. They are not the feathered equivalent of a brightly coloured aquarium fish. They are every bit as high maintenance as other type of pets.
*Birds have lot of energy and need space to burn it out. A small cage may not be suitable for your pet and its not acceptable to keep it solely in a cage. Cages should be the largest ones we can afford, not what cage fits in the smallest area.
*Birds are inexpensive to feed. It’s best to feed a high quality diet of species-specific commercial pelleted food (not seed mix) fruits, veggies and sprouted grains. Feathered pets also need annual medical examinations from an avain veterinarian to monitor their health.
*Birds do not require much grooming. They are naturally clean and when happy they have a good jov of keeping their feather coats shinny through preening. Just a bath for your pet in plain, tepid, clean filtered water is all they need as
pampering.
*Birds are extremely social animals. You need to spend a significant time interacting with your inquisitive exotic bird. Treating them as family members in the fullest sense- keeping them outside the cage for several hours- helps them merge in your surroundings better. Caging your bird all the 24 hours can make it unhappy and self-destructive. An opportunity to interact, frequent mental stimulation and environmental enrichment are sure not to develop emotional troubles and harmful behaviour.
Hence a zoo or a circus is never an apt place for any bird. In zoos, they are housed inappropriately. Often predators are kept in close proximity to the animals who are their natural prey- a situation which causes extreme stress to both the animals. Many birds have no shelter to protect themselves from harsh weather conditions. They are observed eating rotten food, debris. Visitors often taunt, abuse, mistreat, feed the birds with no personnel check. Countless birds are given no food and water. Every facility is seriously deficient. Also trading of pets is a burning issue that needs immediate concern. It is estimated that for every bird sold in the market, four die en route. Fledgings are stolen from their nests and smuggled to overseas markets in cartons and some even rolled up inside socks to transport to cities. They are doomed for a lifetime in crammed, clipped to scissors and can hardly stretch their wings.
The word ‘captive’ does not exist in the dictionary of the house birds. Its only love, affection, care and attention they know about. Circuses are prisons for the bird’s, human homes bring heavenly pleasure for them.

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Friendly, loyal, sweet, intelligent, playful, exuberant, mouthy, mischievous, naive, curious, loving and protective are some of the adjectives we use to describe dogs. But then some dogs are labeled dangerous, ferocious, aggressive, savage, vicious and unpredictable. This thought has mainly developed based on the fact that some dog breeds have a history of being violent with animals as well as people. Since big dogs create bigger wounds they’re reported more frequently and this causes the medical data to be skewed inaccurately toward big dogs. Truthfully, all breeds can be provoked to bite. Whether or not a dog actually bites is generally a result of how well it’s been trained and treated. Nevertheless, it can’t be helped that some dog breeds have more potential to cause serious harm to a person if the dog were to decide to attack. But why would a dog, man’s best friend, decide to attack? Here are some of the most common reasons:

1)      The dog is protecting or thinking that it is protecting its owner.

2)      The dog is protecting its owner’s property.

3)      The dog is protecting its puppies.

4)      The dog is guarding its food.

5)      The dog is provoked by the actions of the victim like pulling its tail, hurting it by mistake etc.

6)      The dog is not properly trained and does not interact well with strangers.

7)      The dog is having a bad day, is irritable and its tolerance level has fallen.

8)      The dog’s sixth sense tells it that the person/ animal has bad intentions.

9)      The dog is in pain, injured or sick.

10)   The dog is involved in rough play with the victim and gets overly excited.

11)   The dog does not know how to bite and does so by mistake.

Dogs are intelligent creatures and do not like to assault without reason or warning.  A dog bite rarely happens without warning, so chances are these warnings are being misunderstood or ignored. The best way to avoid such a situation is to learn a dog’s language and respect its boundaries. A dog could be humungous in size or have very large teeth but could be very docile while a small and petite dog could suddenly bite! A dog’s disposition should not be judged by its looks or its breed. Every dog is different. But like humans speak with their mouths, dogs express themselves with their body language. Some of the warning signs before a dog becomes fierce and aggressive are given below:

1)      Pleading eyes: The dog looks at you with a pleading expression.

2)      Physical Retreat: The dog takes a few steps back. One must not try to approach it.

3)      Head turn: The dog turns his head indicating that it does not want an altercation.

4)      Yawning: Dogs yawn when they are nervous and try to calm themselves down. Although a yawn is not always for this reason.

5)      Licking: Incessantly licking either you or itself could be a request to back off and give it space but you might also taste very good!

6)      Whale eyes: Seeing the whites of a dog’s eyes, also known as “whale eyes”, a fixated look and dilation of its pupils is a serious warning sign.

7)      Body Language:A hard stare, ears back, head lowered, fur standing and most of its body weight on its front legs is a sign of an aggressive or threatened dog.

8)      Tail position: A wagging tail is not always a friendly sign.

9)      Growling & Snapping: Critical warning point i.e. just before the attack.

10)  Two or more signs together: If any of the above signs are combined, most probably the attack is imminent.

I am a proud owner of a Doberman pinscher a.k.a. Doberman. She is about 11-12 months old but is quite big in size already. She is the friendliest dog I have ever petted. She does not bark at strangers unless she senses that they are a threat to me. She only barks in defense and so far she has never growled or snarled. But still sometimes, she shows one or more of the warning signs above while we are just playing or running around. Since she is still a pup and is in her training period, I say ‘No!’ whenever she gets aggressive. My training and my upbringing will design her temperament. Same goes for all the other dogs and their owners. Some of the other dog breeds, including Dobermans, that are considered more aggressive and dangerous than the others are:

2)    Rottweiler

3)    Pit bull

4)      German Shepherd

5)      Boxer

6)      Presa Canario

7)      Dalmatian

8)      Giant Schnauzer

9)      Bull Terrier

10)   Alaskan Malamutes

One must know that no dog is minacious without some kind of provocation. The reason for an attack could have just been perceived by the dog rather than an actual reason. That is why the owners as well as other people should be wary of the signs a dog displays. One must know how to read a dog’s body language. Dogs are one of the best creations of nature. They are cute and faithful. No dog should ever be punished. Pain should not be inflicted on any dog to train it or teach him a lesson. Dogs are creatures full of love and no lesson can be taught better, than with love. Happy petting!

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