The Answer to Your Pet's behavior Problems may be in your Backyard!

The great outdoors can make your pet healthier and happier!

Dog's dig holes, it's just what they do, but there are certain things you can do so your dog digs a hole in a designated area, and not where you just planted $250 worth of plants from Green Thumb. Dogs and cats both need to stretch their legs, so if they're having behavioral problems, it might be from being cooped up in a house all day.

Give your pet a designated play area outside. Remove plants that are toxic to pets such as tiger lilies, rises,ivy and ornamental grass. Instead, use Pyracantha or barberries which are resistant to dogs. Use plastic or rubber edges to outline planting beds, steel ones can cut your pet's paws.

Taking into consideration what materials you use in your backyard can save you money in the long run by avoiding costly emergency vet visits when your pet gets sick after eating something toxic after playing in your yard. Not only can it resolve potential medical risks, but also fix behavioral problems too!

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Take Your Pet to Work Day Holiday

This Friday is the 9^th annual Take Your Dog to Work Day

Petfinder.com (a great database for adopting pets) discovered that this policy decreases stress, improves peoples' moods, and brings smiles to almost every client that walks through the door.So ask your boss if your company recognized Take Your Dog to Work Day THIS FRIDAY, June, 20, 2008.

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Videos: The Most Amazing Dog!

She was born with no front legs but is able to walk like a human...you have to see it to believe it!



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Pet Friendley Theme Parks in California and Florida!

Summer time is coming up which means the beach, road trips ( higher gas prices) AND theme parks! But don't worry, many of the major theme parks in the USA offer options so that your pet is well taken care of while your enjoy your day!

Florida:

Walt Disney World

Since Disney World gets so many visitors, this park actually has five different kennel locations at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, The Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and Fort Wilderness for $15 a pet. They accept cats, dogs and any "pocket pets" such as hamsters and gerbils. Some of the Kennels also offer extras like walking, cuddles and even an ice cream break for an additional charge! For 2$ the disney staff will cater to any medication needs your pet may have and all facilities offer overnight stays as well.

In The Works: a luxury pet "resort" that will provide boarding, day care and grooming services and doggy day camp. Of course, Disney "upped" it a notch and their pet luxury resort will include television, raised bedding, activities such as nature walks and playgroups, and bedtime stories.

Universal Studios in Orlando

They offer a day care center for only 10$ a pet.

Sea World in Orlando

Pets have both inside and outside access at $8 a day per pet.

Want a great time AND free a pet sitter?

The Busch Gardens in Tampa: Its free, and outdoors.

Kennedy Space Center: It's free, but also there is no supervision and you must bring your own food, water and bedding.


California

DisneyLand

For $20 a day you can put your pet inside the Disneyland Kennel which will provide him with a meal. Dogs are also allowed to ride the Disneyland trams from the parking structures to the kennels.


Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles

Offers an air-conditioned pet care area, but there is supervision and it's on a first come first serve basis.


Six Flags Magic Mountain Valencia, California is also pet friendly. However, not EVERY six flags across the USA is.





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Videos: How To Make Your Pet a Star!

Love PlanetPetsTV? ( Of course you do! Admit it!) Well even if you don't, ( which is of course IMPOSSIBLE) maybe you'd like to make your own video with your own pets! So here's a look behind the scenes on how great videos like Hangover Cat are made.. enjoy!









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Pet Care Tip: Masking sure your Dog Collar or Cat Collar Fits

How would you like a leather or plastic band around your neck 24/7? How much would you like it if it was just the littlest bit too tight? Ouch right? Well today's post is all about how to make sure your pet collar fits PROPERLY.

If you can't bring your pet into a pet supply store to try on collars, than make sure to buy more than one, you can always return one later during your next trip.
You don't want a collar that's loose enough to slip over your pet's head, be lost or loose enough to catch on something that might choke your pet.

Choose a collar made of a material that is soft and comfortable. Test: wrap it around your own wrist, how does it feel?

Remove the collar and any other training products that attached to your dog at night, so they can get a good night's sleep.


Check your pet's collar every day by making sure your fingers can fit easily, but snugly, between the collar and your pet's neck. This is especially important for growing pets.

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Pet Care: Make a Trust in Case of Sickness ( or Death)

Taking care of your pet is our number one concern and I thought we've covered everything: fashion, accessories, travel, kennels, sitters, insurance, etc. But I came across something that I'm surprised I haven't heard of before: a trust for your pet.

These trusts guarantee that your pet will be taken care in the event that you may not be able to, such as vacation, incapacitation or (knock on wood) death. A trust can detail anything from who will be the day-to-day caretaker, to what measures you would want to take if your pet falls ill. Like wills, they can be amended at any time.

Check with your state for what guidelines there are. For example, Wisconsin law prohibits owners from leaving money directly to an animal, but they can be left to a trustee or caretaker.

But New York has no such limitation and New York real estate billionaire Leona Helmsley left $12 million to her white Maltese, Trouble. Yea, 12 MILLION.


How much would you leave your pet?

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Dog Miscellania: Fun Facts

The well-to-do once put their lapdogs under their bedcovers before retiring, in the belief that bedbugs, fleas and ticks would hop onto the dog.

People in ancient China stayed warm by carrying toy breeds up their sleeves.

President Roosevelt's daughter, Alice, was given a black Pekinese by the last empress of China.

The Welsh corgi has been called Ci Llathaid, meaning "yard-long dog."

Cartoon dog Fifi the Peke appeared as Minnie Mouse's dog and Pluto's girlfriend. Pluto and Fifi had five puppies together. However, Fifi was dropped, and Pluto acquired another mate in Dinah the Dachshund. (Player!)

Excerpts taken from Dog Miscellany by J.A.Wines

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Dog and Cat Pet Related Services

Ever looked for pet services?

All I want is a pet-sitter once in a while, or maybe a groomer. But have you ever tried looking for one on the internet? It is insane! Each business has its own personal website that I have to trudge through individually, and then when I finally found one I like, it's in another state!


No more!


http://www.planet-pets.com/ppservices.htm


This page is just so easy to use. First, it breaks down all the pet services by category:

Pet and Animal Rescues

Pet Breeders

Pet Groomers

Pet Trainers

Pet Sitters

Doggy Daycare

Pet Boarders

Pet Supplies & Products

Misc. Pet Services

Pet Friendly Lodging

Pet Hospitals/Vets

Pet Cemeteries/Mortuaries

Pet Lawyers

Pet Actor Leads

Once you find the service you're looking for, click on the link, and then click on what state you're in.


My favorite part is that it doesn't just list big brand names. It has a section where small businesses can put up their own free trial ad! Making it even easier to find out those great hole-in-wall places.

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What do Avril Lavigne and Bad Pet Food have in common?

It's all about six degrees of seperation:

-Avril Lavigne "starred" in Fast Food Nation.

-Fast Food nation was about the poor quality of fast food that we consume on a daily basis!

-We have pets.

-Pets eat food

-And that food can harm our pets!

Malnutrition can often be the leading cause of both disease and premature death for us and our beloved pets. After Author Andrew Lewis' dog, Noble, died of malnutrition, Andrew went to discover the horrible truth of what pet food really means in his book "Dog Food Secrets."

Andrew Lewis not only confidently educates but also arms you with the essential knowledge you need to guard yourself against the terrible possibility of unwittingly "poisoning" your dog with the food you feed him...( for more on this amazing book click here.)

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Breaking News: Pets spread Salmonella

A multi state Outbreak of human Salmonella have been reported. As of January 18,2008 there have been about 103 cases from 33 different states!The first cast was reported May 7,2007


Although the sale of small turtles ( less then four inches in length) is prohibited they are still on available at pet shops, flea markets, street vendors and the internet.

What is causes: gastroenteritis

Symptoms: bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever and vomiting

How it spreads: through contact with the turtle, or water that the turtle has been in.

Be Careful Pet Owners!



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Funny Videos: Animals + News = Funny

It's funny and educational!







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Dogs and Cats need to keep Warm

Tips to keep them safe:

Only take dogs and cats outdoors when necessary because they can get frostbitten ears, noses and feet if left outside.

The two biggest threats to our pets: (haha get it!)

1) Hypothermia and 2) Dehydration

What to do:

For Inside Pets:

- Consider a sweater for short-coated breeds, avoid sweaters made of cotton

- Keep fireplaces screened and heaters out of reach as a pet may chew the cord or knock it over and cause a fire.

For outside pets:

-Give them thick old blankets or towels to snuggle up with

-Make sure they have food and water

-Consider installing a door, and make sure the "door" to their house is protected against wind

-Check on them regularly, to check for signs of hypothermia and to replace frozen water

Remember: Animals naturally found in warm temperatures can not adapt to severe drops in temperatures.

- Outdoor cats will climb under the hoods of cars for warmth, bang loudly on your car’s hood before starting the engine to give them a chance to move.

-Your car becomes a freezer in the winter-don't leave them inside of it.

After taking them on a walk:

-Avoid tiny cuts and cracked pads by towel or blow-dry after exposure to rain or snow.

Remember: chemicals used to melt snow and ice walkways can burn your pet

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Leave No Pet Behind

The Real Estate market is down and there are lots of houses being abandoned with no one to take care of them, along with the pets left behind in those houses.

Cecily Tippery is a real estate agent who most recently walked into an empty house only to find three dogs tied up in the backyard, abandoned by their owners. Unfortunately, when someone can't take care of their house, their pets become nothing more but added stress. In her 17 years of experience Tippery has seen litters of kittens, birds, goldfish and turtles.

Even though Tippery ( being the good pet-lover she is!) tries to take home and care for every animal she finds it can be tricky. Legally, pets are personal property and can not be taken unless abandoned for at a minimum 18 days. But don't worry, she comes back to the houses and feeds them and checks on them in the meantime.



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Jessica Simpson's Daisy

Daisy is Jessica Simpson's dog named no doubt after her character in Dukes of Hazzard. Daisy is a Malti-poo, a mix of a Maltese and a Poodle. Jessica was given Daisy by her then-hubby Nick Lachey during a concert on her 24th birthday. (Insert Newly Wed Joke here)

But seriously, Malti-poos are great! They are known for thier mild temperament, being hypoallergenic AND they barely shed. Owners say that the only hair that sheds comes off when brushing.

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Amazing Animals Facts To Check Out!

Some snakes have as many as 200 teeth, a lot more than people.

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Ants are among the longest living insects in the world. Although most types of worker ants live from several months to a few years, the queen ant can survive up to 20 years! Compare these life spans with those of a common housefly (about 2 months), a rabbit (about 10 years), and a dog (usually 2-15 years).

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Dolphins swim in circles while they sleep with the eye on the outside of the circle open to keep watch for predators. After a certain amount of time they reverse and swim in the opposite direction with the opposite eye open.

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There are approximately 350 squirts in a gallon of milk

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In ancient Rome auburn-haired puppies were sacrificed to ensure a plentiful corn crop.

***

The word "puppy" comes from the French poupee, meaning "doll."


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PDA Approves Drug For Fat Cats... and Dogs!

What's next, Ritalin?
In a related story to my last posting, I came across this new bulletin as well.
Pfizer has been approved to market Slentrol, a liquid formula to help pets maintain a healthy weight, to the estimated 5 percent of U.S. dogs that are 20 percent over their ideal weight.
It seems like their heart's in the right place when the FDA explained this approval by proclaiming that "Overweight pets are more likely to develop heart disease, diabetes and joint problems, according to the government agency." They just want to help is all....
I'm not a huge fan of pharmaceutical drugs and the whole industry, but I know that some good has come out of it over the past 60 some odd years. Whereas I know that this can help some pets that are outrageously overweight, I'd rather stuff some sense down the throats of the owners first. I'm sure that it's not just a "glandular" problem that ole' Poochie is dealing with... more like someone that doesn't know how to say no.....

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"Take Your Pet To Church" Day... Really?!

Francis of Assisi by Jose De Ribera

Yes sir! Though my title may be a bit crude, every year around this time, October 4th, some Catholic churches celebrate the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. Though I'm not catholic, for those of you who don't know, St. Francis of Assisi is a patron saint known for his love of all creatures, particularly animals.

The Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi

So in the spirit of Francis of Assisi, Catholic churches will be offering pet-friendly services. Some will be held inside, and some are coordinated for taking place outside. Many Catholic churches will use a prayer developed by the Franciscan religious order, which St. Francis founded. Here's an example of one prayer:

"Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air and animals on the land. You inspired St. Francis to call them his brothers and sisters. We ask you to bless thispet. By the power of your love, enable it to live according to your plan. May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen."

Saint Francis in Prayer, 1580–85, oil on canvas

I had the opportunity, at an early age with a boys choir I sang in, to visit the Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi (shown above) and sing at his tomb/shrine. It was a beautiful and amazing experience. I hope to get back there someday very soon.

For more information, call your local parish.

Who is St. Francis of Assisi?

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Facebook Profile for your pet?

Why not?


Seems as though, our obsession with making our pets out to be humans has been taken to another level. In just 3 months of being operational, a Facebook profile for your pet has become all the rage. With over 700,000 profiles created in that time, the sites were launched in June by Toronto advertising executive Geoffrey Roche and his computer-whiz son Alexandre, 21, on the popular social networking site Facebook.
To me it seems like a way for people to meet via their pets, which can be a good and bad thing. The marketing angle makes it seem like it's the pets who are cabitzing, but I highly doubt it. With the chance to relate, share stories, and even the occasional "walk" invitation, it seems to me like a way to meet other people. And you know what, I think it's a great idea. Good on them.

Visit our squidoo lenses to find out how to add Dogbook or Catbook to your Facebook profile, and for more information.

Learn more about Dogbook
Learn more about Catbook

Act Now! Subscribe FREE to PlAnEt PeTs online newsletter, The Scoop! New Edition just about out!

This month's issue of The Scoop is just being polished off and we're getting ready to blow you away with another awesome newsletter!
We've been busy bees this month, searching for the web's hottest stories in the World of Pets, and bring them to you in a way you'll enjoy!
In this issue, we cover such stories as:

• Planet-Pets.com TV Episode 2!
  
• New trends in how to travel with your pet!
• Helpful tips on how to travel safe or move homes with a pet!
• A new winner of the "You and Your Pet" contest! Submit your story about your pet and compete to win an awesome pet owner's prize!
• All the funny videos and cartoons we could find on the Net!
• Famous Pet related quotes you can use with your friends!
  

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