Staying with Snow

2011-10-03T10:08:00.000+08:00

In loving memory ...

Piggie Hamster V

I've got lots of hamsters and they're all named Piggie. Don't know how I came up with that name but somehow, they kinda stuck and I named every single one of them Piggie (with the exception of other hamsters, of course)This Piggie however, was adopted from a friend who could not care for them coz she's going back to Australia and this Piggie was my very first 'all white' Piggie. My other Piggie hamsters are usually brown. This particular Piggie is also very extremely tame and the very first hamster to sleep on his back!! How cute!!!Anyway, he's gone now ... very old indeed. I missed him. I shall always remember him as my only adopted hamster, one that is super greedy but yet only eats kinda healthy food and one who sleeps on his back!!!

Now, that's what I call a cat nap!

2011-10-03T09:48:00.001+08:00

Some will be dreaming of a bowl of milk, others of a tussle with a ball of string.After the overwhelming response from readers to pictures of snoozing pups in the Mail last month, meet the kittens catching 40 winks — as opposed to mice.As you can see, they’re all in a state of purr-fect bliss . . .

Paws for reflection: You wouldn't expect an aristocat like me to sleep in a basket - I'm feline fine right where I am

Catatonic: With any luck, I can stretch this nap out for a little longer . . .

That darn cat: Playing with wool is exhausting

In this house, I’m part of the furniture.

Cat's whiskers: I'm having a lovely dream all about sardines

Bear hug: Teddy and I are just close friend.

That’s enough cataloguing: I’ll look for that Cats DVD later

I'm Tom, he's Jerry: And you won't hear a squeak out of us for a while

How Could You?

2011-09-28T15:01:00.003+08:00

When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child, and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, age I became your best friend. Whenever I was"bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?"-but then you'd relent, and roll me over for a bellyrub.

My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams,and I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs," you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.

Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforte you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love. She, now your wife, is not a "dog person"-still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy.

Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love."

As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears, and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch-because your touch was now so infrequent-and I would have defended them with my life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway.

There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me.

These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf.

Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family. I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her."

They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog, even one with "papers." You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life. You gave me a good-bye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too.

After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home.

They shook their heads and asked "How could you?"

They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you- that you had changed your mind-that this was all a bad dream ... or Ihoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me.

When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited.

I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day, and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room.

She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days. As is my nature, I was more concerned about her.

The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood. She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured "How could you?"

Perhaps because she understood my dogspeak, she said "I'm so sorry." She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself-a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place. And with my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not directed at her.

It was you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of. I will think of you and wait for you forever.

May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.

2011-09-20T09:15:00.001+08:00

Ears

Because of variations among breeds' ears—some are pointy, others floppy—a dog's ears are a little harder to read, but in general, the same principles for cats apply. "When your dog is relaxed, comfortable and under no stress, her ears will be held in the natural position. When your dog is alert and watching something closely, her ears will be raised and turned to whatever she is paying attention to," says Dr. Burch. In addition, she says, if the ears are gently pulled back, it’s a “sign of a friendly greeting.” If the ears are completely pulled down and back, however, your pooch is most likely feeling afraid.

Eyes

People use the term "puppy-dog eyes" for good reason: A dog's eyes can practically express the same emotional diversity as a human's. "When a dog is stressed or frightened, the eyes are not as wide open and they appear smaller. If the dog starts to squint (assuming there is no sun in his eyes), it could be a sign he is in pain," Dr. Burch says. Not only will a dog change the size and shape of its eyes, but the direction of its gaze is also a clear indicator of mood. Be forewarned that if a dog stares at you squarely in the eyes, or avoids looking at you in a way that lets the whites of his eyes show, he's on the defensive, so steer clear.

Mouth

A dog baring its teeth is a universal sign of aggression, but many people don’t know that a dog can also express other feelings with its mouth. "When your dog is relaxed, its mouth is usually closed or open just a small bit. Dogs who are stressed or afraid often close their mouth and the lips are pulled back at the corners," says Dr. Burch. To better understand your dog's mood, it helps to factor in its whole body, advises McMillan Loehr. "One interesting thing dogs do that can be mistaken for aggression is the submissive grin; that's when they pull their lips back from their teeth, which might make you think the dog is going to kill you," she says. "Put it in context with the rest of the body.” If her posture is relaxed and not stiff, “she might be doing a submissive grin."

Tail

While a wagging tail generally does mean that a dog is happy or excited, that's not always the case, according to Dr. Burch. "One of the greatest myths regarding canine body language has to do with the dog’s tail. The myth is that a wagging tail is the sign of a friendly dog," she says. "A dog that is thinking about attacking may hold his tail high and move it back and forth. The key is to look at the rest of the body; if you see the wagging tail with stiff legs, tense muscles and lips that are starting to be pulled back, you could be in for some trouble."

Body Posture

A dog's body posture tells a similar story to that of a cat. "Aggressive dogs try to make themselves look as big as possible. Their legs are stiff and they sometimes rise up on their toes. Dogs that are afraid may lower their bodies, dropping to the ground as if to say, 'It’s OK, I’m so tiny and small, I’m not a threat,'" says Dr. Burch. The one posture that people seem to misunderstand the most, says McMillan Loehr, is when dogs freeze. "A dog who is panting and then stops panting—that's a sign that something is about to happen. A freeze is a sign that a dog is getting uncomfortable and it is often a threat," she says. Signs a dog is happy include an open mouth that looks relaxed and a shift in weight from side to side. Another big cue, adds Dr. Halligan, is when their body is curved into a C shape, which is called a "play bow."

Sounds

If your dog’s movements aren’t telling you enough, listen to his bark. Barking can indicate any number of things. According to Dr. Burch, you have to take it in context. "Barking related to play will usually be accompanied with a relaxed body posture and sometimes a wagging tail, whereas barks that are short, insistent yips can mean 'Stop that!'" she says. "If you see a stiff body along with a low-pitched growl, the barking can be a warning sign; also, some dogs have barks that are intended to get your attention." And then there’s watchdog barking, which is a series of short and loud barks. "It’s a warning or alert bark designed to let you know someone is coming—and to let [whoever that is] know there is a dog here that is ready to handle the situation," Dr. Burch says.

Behavior

When all else fails, watch for significant behavioral changes. Destructive behavior, like chewing things, is a big cue your dog is not happy. "The number-one reason they're destructive is that they're not getting out enough or being exercised enough," Dr. Halligan says. Another cue that something's amiss about their mental state is a drastic change in behavior—sleeping in a different place, hiding more or sleeping more than usual.

9 Things Your Dog Wants to Tell You

2011-09-20T09:05:00.001+08:00

We like to ascribe all sorts of emotions to our dogs, but, truthbe told, they are much simpler than humans. They’re motivated bythe basics: food,activity and companionship. That said, a dog’s behavior around hisowners does have meaning. From the desire to protect you to anintuition about your health and happiness, read on to discover whatyour dog would tell you if he could speak.

“I want toprotect you.”

You may think your dog belongs to you, but you belong to yourdog, as well. That means he is going to claim you and protect you."When he's sitting on your foot, it's an ownershipthing. If his [bottom] is on you, he's marking your foot,"says Jennifer Brent, animal advocate and external relations managerfor the L.A.-based non profit animal welfare advocacy group Found Animals. "It's not just that he wantsto be close to you, he's saying, 'This is mine; now itsmells like me, don't go near it.' He does this for threemain reasons: to feel secure about his place in your life, to warnother dogs that you are spoken for and because he wants to protectyou.” To ensure your protection, dogs will also bark at guests,growl at other dogs when outside and pull on the leash while outfor a walk. "There's a line of thinking that the dog isyour scout. He sees himself as a member of the pack, and he wantsto make sure everything is cool before you get there," Brentsays.

“I can sensewhen you’re in a bad mood.”

Whether it was a stressful day at work or a fight with yoursignificant other, your dog will pick up on how you feel—and feelit, too. "It goes without saying, when you're stressed,they're more stressed; when you're happier, they'rehappy. They match up moods with you better than a spouse or apartner," says Marty Becker, DVM, pet expert at Vetstreet.com. "They sit there and study you.”This relationship works the other way, too: If you want to makeyour pooch relax, you know just where to scratch; if you want to bemore playful, you know how to pet him. "You can, like a gaspedal, change that dynamic with your dog," Dr. Becker says.

“I need moreexercise!”

If she's eliminating on the floor,chewing the furniture or running circles around the coffee table,your dog is probably trying to tell you she needs more activity inher life. "That's where we see a lot of behavioral issueswith dogs in households," Brent says. This is particularlytrue for active breeds, such as herding or hunting dogs. "TheDalmatian was trained to be a hunting dog. You can't take ananimal that's used to running eight miles a day, put it in anapartment, and expect it to be OK. If your dog's destroyingstuff, he's saying, 'I'm bored, you need to give mesomething to do.'" While exercise is important—dogs shouldreceive 45 to 60 minutes of physical exercise and 15 minutes ofbehavioral training per day—Dr. Becker says you can also playmental games to keep your pooch entertained. Make her playsearch-and-seek games for her food or even use food puzzles that she has to solve before hermeal is dispensed.

“I'mscared you won't come back.”

While most dogs are going to bark for a few minutes when youleave the house—just to let you know you're forgettingsomeone—some dogs have a much more serious reaction. "If youwatch a video of a dog with separation anxiety, it'll tear yourheart out. It's like the kid lost at the mall without hisparents," Dr. Becker says. "They freak out. They thinkyou're not coming back. They often attack the area where youleave; they'll tear up the doorframe, they're destructive.If you come homeand they’ve had diarrhea or [are excessively] panting, theircortisol levels are high, and you have to take action." Dr.Becker recommends speaking with a dog behaviorist to receive atraining program and possibly a canine antidepressant. To helpassuage the trauma associated with your departure, you can trythese training intervals: Put your coat on, grab your keys and gostand outside for 30 seconds. Come back in, and then go out for oneminute, then five, and build from there. It’s also helpful to giveyour dog a treat before you leave, or feed him using an interactivefood puzzle to keep him distracted.

“I can tellwhen you’re not feeling well.”

It’s a hard phenomenon to explain, but many dogs seem to be ableto detect illness in their owners. And new evidence has found thatsome dogs can actually detect a wide array of serious conditions,including cancer, as well as seizures related to epilepsy. "We knowthat there's a chemical marker that a few dogs are detecting,just like they can detect bed bugs, mold, peanuts, drugs andexplosives," Dr. Becker says. "They can smell the ketoneson a diabetic's breath when their sugar is low. For epileptics[about to have a seizure], they can alert their owner so they canget out of harm's way." Some canines are even morenaturally empathetic to humans. Often, these dogs become therapydogs, providing affection to those in need, while alsosensing—and being able to react to—health problems. "Somepeople just need a dog to lay still with them; others need a reasonto get out of the bed. It's the weirdest thing how therapy dogsknow when to [move] close or far away," says Dr. Becker.

“Payattention when I’m not myself.”

It's important to pay attention to your pooch’s behaviorbecause if something seems amiss, he’s probably not feeling well."You want to catch things in the earliest period to preventunnecessary pain or worse," says Dr. Becker. "I call it'Dog-ter Mom,' because 80% of caregivers for pets arewomen. You just need to pay attention to your intuition." Thatmeans noticing behavior that's out of the norm: he's not asplayful as usual, he’s acting aggressively, he has trouble gettingup or isn’t eating properly. "You want to pay particularattention to eating habits,” Dr. Becker says. “Food is theircurrency. If he isn't eating enough or is eating too much, ifhe's drinking more water or needs to eliminate more, or if youhave a dog that's losing weight, then something's wrong.”

“I need aroutine, but with a little variety.”

They say that a dog's mental capacity is that of a toddler;and just like a toddler, dogs thrive on routine. "Knowing whatto expect is really, really important, otherwise they don'tknow how to react," Brent says. A general routine is best, butthat doesn’t mean you have to do everything at the same time eachday. In fact, varying the time will actually help in the long run,says Dr. Becker. Otherwise, your dog will start running the show.“You don't want them to force how the clock works,” he says. Ifthey do, it’s likely that your dog will “insist on his 5 a.m.feeding on a Sunday, when you want to sleep until 8 a.m. Vary itup. If you control their food, you control them—in a goodway."

“Be clearwhen I’m doing something wrong.”

Correcting your dog is important—and how you do it is key. Avoidexplaining your dog’s behavior to him, or using a calm voice. Takea firm (not mean) tone and be direct. "Dogs respond to tone.If you say, 'No!' while a bad action is happening,you're going to get a much better response than if you say itin a gentle voice or wait to say it afterwards," Brent says.To ensure results, it has to be said in the moment of action, andin the same way every time. “If you want to train your dog to becalm when he sees another dog, you can't wait until that doghas passed to give him a treat for being good. You can't waituntil you get home,” Brent says. “That says putting down the leashmeans a treat, instead of the action [you're trying toreinforce]."

“I'm nota human.”

There’s no doubt your dog is part of the family—but that doesn’tmean she should be treated like a person. "Thinking your doghas the motivation of a person is the number one problem Isee," says Gina Spadafori, pet columnist and executive editorof the PetConnection.com. Whether your dog eliminatesin the houseor chews up the remote, the cause has nothing to do with revenge."It's not an emotional or rational response. It’s either alack of training, illness or a stress reaction that can betriggered by a change in the house," Spadafori says. So ifyour dog is acting out, start by trying to find the root cause. Isshe sick, improperly trained or has there been a recent change inroutine? Once you locate the cause, understanding and correctingher behavior will be much easier.

Taken from Shine

Shhh... let sleeping dogs lie: The tiny puppies catching 40 winks

2011-09-14T08:56:00.002+08:00

After a busy day spent trying to catch their own tail, the cat next door or the postman, sometimes there's nothing else a puppy wants to catch but 40 winks.

And as these pictures show, it really is a good thing to let sleeping dogs die.

Sleeping dogs lie: This cute pup fell asleep in a wicker basket.

Falling asleep on the job: Tired from making too many calls, this dog passed out on top of a mobile telephone

Every dog has its daydream: A miniature sofa provided the perfect napping space for this little pup

Perhaps awaiting a call on the dog and bone, a white-furred fellow leans on its owner's mobile for a snooze.

Sleeping beauty: This dog can only nod off when he's cuddling up to his favourite teddy bear.

Eyes wide shut: Balancing between his owner's legs, this dog shades himself from the light to get his good 40 winks

Another lies flat on its back with paws covering its eyes as if to shut out the light.

And yet another of the snaps on U.S. website Uphaa, which collects unusual photographs, shows a puppy enjoying a snooze on a miniature sofa, while there is even a whole litter sleeping in a conga line.

We all sleep together: This whole litter lie in a conga line grabbing some well earned rest after a busy day of chasing each other

Are hypoallergenic dogs just a myth?

2011-07-12T08:41:00.000+08:00

Myth: Bo Obama, The White House Dog, is hypoallergenic.

When the Obamas brought the Portuguese Water dog into their family fold in 2009, his so-called "hypoallergenic" breed was a selling point for allergy-prone first daughter Malia. Now Bo may be riding on his cuteness, rather than his breed's allergy-friendly label.
Reality: "Hypoallergenic" dogs may not be allergy-proof.

A new study published in the American Journal of Rhinology and Allergy suggests that "hypoallergenic" dog breeds don't make a difference for people with dog allergies.

“We found no scientific basis to the claim hypoallergenic dogs have less allergen,” says Christine Cole Johnson, Ph.D., MPH, chair of Henry Ford’s Department of Public Health Sciences and senior author of the study in a statement to press. “The idea that you can buy a certain breed of dog and think it will cause less allergy problems for a person already dog-allergic is not borne out by our study.”

In what’s believed to be the first study of its kind, Henry Ford Hospital researchers collected dust samples from 173 homes with a variety of 60 different dog breeds. Eleven of those breeds fell into the “hypoallergenic” category as specified by breeders. But when researchers analyzed their allergen samples, they found no real statistical difference between the dog breeds. While the study only looked at one type of major dog allergen, and the study faced variables in terms of time spent with each animal, the research suggests the "hypoallergenic dog" may just be another Bigfoot.

Myth: Dogs who shed more are more likely to cause allergies.
Reality: Pet fur isn't necessarily linked to pet allergens.
Several breeds, including the Obamas’ Portuguese Water Dog, Schnauzers and Poodles, have been given the hypoallergenic stamp because they shed less. Christina Duffney-Carey, spokesperson for American Kennel Club, tells the New York Times, “there are many breeds with consistent and predictable coats that we suggest for allergy sufferers. These breeds have nonshedding coats, which produce less dander.”
But fur isn’t necessarily the purveyor of pet allergens. This new study conducted by Henry Ford Hospital's team of researchers looked specifically at the allergen Can F1.

“Can F1, one of the major dog allergens, is found in dogs’ saliva," says Ganesa Wegienka and epidemiologist and one of the co-authors of the study. “I think that people think that allergies have to do with a dog’s coat or dander, but I’m not sure how [saliva] relates to shedding and dander."

In fact, a dog's saliva can trigger many of the major symptoms that pet allergy sufferers face, like itchy, watery eyes, stuffy noses, hives or even exacerbation in asthma sufferers.

Myth: All pet-related allergies are caused by pet allergens.
Reality: It's not always your pet's fault.

Sometimes an allergic reaction to other environmental factors causes a deceptively pet-provoked attack. "Say for example, your child is allergic to peanuts, and they’re visiting with neighbor's dog who just had a peanut biscuit, contact with the dog's saliva could trigger an attack," explains Wegienka. "Another example is if the dog is out running in the grass and you have grass allergies it could be the environmental contaminate on the fur, not actually an allergic reaction to a pet allergen.” Wegienka suggests getting tested for specific types of allergies to identify the symptom triggers, before you blame your pooch.

Myth: People with allergies should now ditch their hypoallergenic dog.
Reality: Pet allergies are treatable.

Wegienka acknowledges that allergies can be very serious, but they’re also manageable with the help of a board-certified allergist. “They’ll take a history, identify the allergies, help develop a plan for managing your symptoms, or an avoidant strategy,” she says.

For many people, an allergy shot does the trick. “They may take up to 6 months to see an initial symptom change, but they do work for many people.”

Another reason to keep your pet around: They may be good for warding off allergies. Wegienka and her fellow researchers also found that infants who live with dogs and cats may be less likely to develop allergies to those pets later in life. One theory is that early exposure builds up immunity to that type of pet.
As for Bo Obama, Malia's best friend and possible allergy agitator, Wegienka isn't suggesting impeachment. “I'm sure they have access to the best healthcare and their children have seen board-certified allergists," says Wegienka. "Dogs are wonderful and I hope the family enjoys him.”

The jaws of defeat: Lioness tries to devour smiling one-year-old but is stopped by six-inches thick glass

2011-06-15T14:45:00.002+08:00

'Get meowt of here!'

2011-06-15T14:41:00.002+08:00

Is that a square-rel? The cuddly rodent who really did eat all the nuts

2011-06-11T15:08:00.000+08:00

Despite living in image conscious California, this is one resident who's throwing caution to the wind.

The grey squirrel has ballooned to twice its normal size after tourists repeatedly fed it nuts in the Morro Rock State Preserve.

Marina van der Linden, a software engineer, captured the chubby creature on camera during a visit to the park.

The 46-year-old, from Los Angeles, said: 'I had been in the park taking photos but couldn't get any clear pictures because it was so foggy.

'I got out a bag of peanuts and suddenly I saw a family of squirrels. It was hilarious because they were all quite big but there was one that was enormous.

'I concentrated on it since it was the fattest of them all but it kept hiding between the rocks.

'She was so big and I think it's because they get well fed by tourists.

'When it finally sat still out in the open, I discovered that I was too close and I could not fit the entire squirrel in the camera's viewfinder.

'It was so big that I had to walk backwards in order to get her in frame.

'She finally looked directly at me and I got the one good shot before she ran off.'

She added: 'The next day I went to photograph her again but not a single squirrel was to be seen.

'I saw one with the same pattern on her head but she ran off before she could be photographed. I think she was self-conscious about her weight.'

Real Life Bambi & Thumper

2011-06-01T14:24:00.000+08:00

Meet the real-life Bambi and Thumper - a cute baby deer and a fluffy rabbit who have become absolutely inseparable.

The cute pair became best friends last June when Bambi was found cowering at the side of a busy major road aged just one day old.

Just like in the 1942 Walt Disney classic, poor little Bambi had lost her mother and was left all alone.

But motorist Svetlana Harper, 35, spotted her shivvering by the roadside, brought her home and nursed her back to full health.

Bambi soon started meeting the other animals at his new home, including Stasha the Alsation dog, but he quickly became best chums with rabbit Thumper.

Now the adorable pair play together, take naps at the same time and follow each other round all day - just like in Disney's cartoon.

Svetlana said: 'I was driving home at night and not far from my home I noticed something on the road - it was raining and visibility was low.

'So I slowed down and as I went to drive round it I suddenly saw a small cub in the road.

'I stopped and carefully got closer to the deer. It didn't move, and then I noticed the mum laying near the cub.

'The mum was dead and so would the cub have been if I didn't rescue it. I covered it with my jacket and drove it home.

'I warmed some milk and added an egg to try to feed Bambi but with no success. The rest of the night he slept with me on the sofa and I would try and feed him again.

'By the end of the day he finally started to suckle milk from the bottle and felt better. He was following me everywhere - I was like his mum.'

Over the next few days the weather got better and a spring returned to the little cub who began bouncing around the house.

Soon he was ready to venture outside and start meeting his new pals around Svetlana's home in Montana, USA.

She added: 'He met all my dogs and rabbits and a few were very interested in Bambi.
My German-Shepherd Stasha likes all cubs and once even fed kittens who lost their mum.

'She started to care about Bambi and kept licking him and always laying down near him.

'But he was more interested in Ben, my rabbit who looks just like Thumper.

'They quickly became inseparable - it was very cute and made everyone laugh. We fed Bambi with milk and tried to leave him with Stasha as long as possible.

'All he wanted to do though was go and see Ben.'

Piggie's Story

2011-03-21T11:17:00.001+08:00

Piggie : Let's squeeze into the wheel with Harry. Uh ... Can't get up!!!

Harry : Get off!!!
*Push*
*Piggie plops!*

Piggie : Hmmmm ... Quite comfortable also.

Piggie : Think I'll just take a nap right here!!!

Piggie : Feedings time!!! Can't get up. Might as well just eat like my food like this. Ahhh .... life is good!!!!

Ready For the Dog Days of Winter?

2011-01-27T10:30:00.000+08:00

Is a $175 Bella Lucca faux mink coat for dogs medically necessary?

Pricey couture is optional, but some breeds do need outerwear in the winter, veterinarians say. Small, short-haired, inactive dogs without a thick fur undercoat are more susceptible to cold weather.

Breeds include the Chihuahua, dachshund, Boston terrier, shih tzu, bichon frise, miniature pinscher and the xolo, a Mexican hairless dog.

"There's no question in winter with rain, snow and ice that these dogs are more at risk because of their size and inability to keep body heat," says Rene Carlson, president-elect of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Normal dog body temperature runs 101 to 102 degrees. A drop in body temperature of five or six degrees can put dogs at risk of low blood pressure and kidney damage, as well as decreased blood flow to the liver and brain, which can possibly lead to hypothermia.

Elderly or ailing animals may need to don extra layers, regardless of their breed, says Stephen Zawistowski, science adviser to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

There are plenty of pet apparel purveyors these days. Outdoor retailer REI sells $40 "Adventure Dog Boots" with recycled tire rubber soles, while etsy.com offers a crocheted acrylic/wool cap for toy breeds.

[More from WSJ.com: Airlines Revamp Sites to Push Extras]

Bigger breeds bred for outdoor life and work, such as the Labrador retriever, German shepherd and Siberian husky, typically can stick it out in the buff, so long as they are active on walks or have a sheltered spot with lots of bedding and a nutritious, plentiful diet if left outdoors, vets say.

"When we think of the working and sporting dogs, these are the ones less likely to need protection," Dr. Zawistowski says. "Lap dogs need it the most."

Useful garb may include: wool and polyester sweaters, fleece or waterproof jackets and booties to protect from ice and salted streets and sidewalks. Indoors, extra layers can help, too.

There are also bed warmers, such as the Pet-zzz-pad, an American Kennel Club-licensed item, with cords encased in steel chew-resistant casing.

Less useful, Dr. Carlson says: hats and goggles, which can throw off an animal's equilibrium. "Dogs have a very good blinking response and a third eyelid that comes up if there's need for protection."

Keeping Fido warm doesn't have to cost a fortune. A child's sweatshirt from a thrift shop cut to fit and bundled under a dog's belly with a zip tie can do the trick.

"When you're spending $250 on a designer coat, that's so you can be seen with the dog in the coat, not for the dog," says Dr. Zawistowski says.

Full article taken from http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/111933/ready-for-the-dog-days-of-winter

Bambi II

2011-01-04T21:48:00.000+08:00

Bambi

2011-01-04T21:33:00.000+08:00

Piggie & Harry

2010-12-30T10:29:00.000+08:00

Posting from iphone

2010-11-01T15:12:00.001+08:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Jalan Burma,George Town,Malaysia

Poor sick Jessy

2010-08-24T11:09:00.000+08:00

Some photos of Jessy with her E-collar. Poor Jessy has been sick for a week already.

Porcupine who thinks he is a puppy!

2010-07-23T20:41:00.000+08:00

Cutest Bunnies Ever!!!

2010-07-19T07:12:00.000+08:00

Paul the Octopus

2010-07-11T08:18:00.002+08:00

Here are some of the clips on Paul the Octopus' prediction for the World Cup matches.

Cute Puppy In Korea

2010-04-26T19:35:00.001+08:00

My pathetic attempt to get my dogs to sunbathe

2010-04-20T14:08:00.000+08:00

My dogs don't sunbathe that much. And because I stay in an apartment, there's not much of sun for them to sunbathe too so once a while, when my apartment gets lots of sunlight, I try to make them to sunbathe.

My pathetic attempt to get my dogs to sunbathe always ends up with my having to sit with them for the whole duration of their sunbathing.

My newly adopted hamsters!!!

2010-03-15T14:59:00.000+08:00

Jaslyn's old Harry Hamster is dead. I suppose he would have been like at least 200 years old for a hamster. RIP Harry Hamster.

Anyway, here are our 2 newly adopted hamster. They were given to use by my colleague's friend who bought them when she came back from Australia and now going back there.

They both came with this little cage they have been staying. Jaslyn tried giving them a bigger cage, but they are just not used to it, so back they go, into the tiny cage of theirs.

The little one on the wheel was originally called 'Skittles' but is now called 'Harry' and the one sleeping was originally called 'Marshmallow' and now renamed 'Piggie'. Our hamsters always have the same name!! How boring. But still, I like Harry and Piggie.

This is so typically Piggie!! Sleep and sleep. But all this while, I've never had a hamster that sleeps on its back!! Cute le ... He can't even wake up even with food on him!!!

Here's another photo of Piggie sleeping!!! So adorably cute!!! Niap!!!

This is how they eat .. Piggie, properly and Harry, on it's back on the wheel.

See so cute!!! That's my Piggie!!! And not to mention, so tame!!!

Oh and a little greedy too!!! But little nia and that is totally acceptable!!!

Niap niap!!!

And this is Harry .. too small eh.

Eukanuba Adventure - Part 2

2010-03-15T14:30:00.000+08:00

It has been a month since I received the Eukanuba dog food and I have been constantly feeding my dogs this.

Surprisingly, I find that after a month, their fur looks much smoother and silkier and their bad breath problem is less now.

See for yourself ...

Eukanuba Adventure - Part 1

2010-02-08T11:13:00.000+08:00

I received an sms from my sister on Friday, saying that I got 2 packets of dog food, couriered to me.

These are the 2 packets of dog food received ... from Eukanuba!!! One for medium breed (suitable for Snow) and the other for senior dog (suitable for Jessy)

Snow : Can I not pose for the photoshot? I really want to try the new dogfood!!!

Snow : I can't take it anymore ... I NEED to try them ... pretty please!!!

Jessy : What, I need to pose with them as well?!

Jessy : Then in that case, let me at least have a look at them. Can I try them please?

Harry Hamster : Hey, how come I don't get any hamster food?!

Harry Hamster : You think I can eat them?! If I nibble through the package, I might be the first one to get to taste them!!!

Snow & Jessy : Thanks for the food!! We will chart our progress soon!!!

Snow & Jessy ... again

2010-01-30T13:06:00.001+08:00

Once again, the many photos of Snow & Jessy ...

Jessy looking all cute and smiley.

Snow refusing to take photos

Ok 1 nice smile for the camera

The totally fed up look already. 1 photo not enough ah?!

Micro Pig

2010-01-20T13:05:00.000+08:00

Cute or not?! I so want a micro pig!!!

See .. the dog likes it too!!! Or maybe he is just staring at a walking pork chop!!

They're tiny, can be house-trained, keep themselves clean - and oink. But is it wrong to have pigs as pets?

Paris Hilton has one, the Beckhams have two and it's been widely reported that the goody bags at the Golden Globe include vouchers for a micro-pig of one's own.

Standing as little as 12 inches high at maturity, these pocket-sized porcines are the latest celebrity pet craze.

In the UK, at least, the breeder Jane Croft, owner of Little Pig Farm in Cambridgeshire, is the driving force behind the animal's popularity. She has a long waiting list of prospective owners and has enjoyed masses of column inches of coverage in the two years she has been breeding.

"I'm really good at marketing," she says. "They are such great animals - highly intelligent, very clean, contrary to popular belief. I love pigs."

Just like a cat or dog, they can be house-trained, she says, and there are other advantages.

"There is no allergic reaction because they have hair and not fur."

Ms Croft, who has had a range of occupations in her life including taxi driver and veterinary nurse, says she was inspired to start her business by the example of another non-specialised breeder, and by the success of the animals in the US.

The mini-pigs in Ms Croft's care might get as tall as 16-18 inches at maturity but many are shorter. She has one called Moonpig which is a mere 12 inches high and is currently thought to be carrying a litter. Black pigs are less popular with buyers, she says.

The tiny sizes are achieved by taking the smaller pigs from litters and then breeding them, although Ms Croft says she also chooses animals for their colour and health. To get her breeding programme off the ground, she travelled the UK buying small pigs.

But there are some who are not convinced a trend for having pigs as pets is a good thing.

Kirsty Bayley, pig herd manager at the Institute for Animal Health, is getting an increasing amount of calls asking about the phenomenon.

"They are farm animals, they shouldn't be kept as pets. They are not overly domesticated. They need to be kept in groups. They are not solitary animals."

Ms Bayley suggests the minimum number for the wellbeing of a group of pigs should be about 10.

There are also concerns that their normal lifestyle will be distorted if they are kept in an ordinary family home.

"Pigs are naturally rooters. They started out as forest animals. If they are kept in a house they are going to be destructive.

"They need to be able to show patterns of natural and normal behaviour. They are not going to get that."

Ms Croft does not agree that the pigs can't be pets, and she says she vets every single potential owner herself.

"It is a long term commitment. You can't keep them in the house all the time. They have got to have access to a garden. The ones I have in the house use a catflap. It is not right to keep a pig in a house permanently."

She is also aware of the pig's need not to be alone, and says she always tries to sell them at least in pairs. But she still feels they can thrive in groups smaller than 10.

And having kept pigs for 12 years, she is confident they can happily function as pets.

Of Snow, Jessy and lost photographs ...

2010-01-05T15:34:00.000+08:00

Here are the latest pictures of Snow & Jessy, after their haircut.

Jessy looking very extremely sleepy.

Isn't she just cute?!

Very aero-dynamic after her hair cut!!!

Snow looking very young and skinny

And perhaps a little cold since he lost lots of his hair.

Which is why he choose to sleep on the towel.

Ok that's a little sicko of Snow!!!

And I just realised that I accidentally deleted a whole folder of my Snow & Jessy's pictures. 100++ photos in there?!!!! *Cries* ='(

Harry in KL

2010-01-04T09:06:00.000+08:00

Here are the photos of Harry, taken in KL. Just in case you're wondering, yes, he did go to KL for Christmas. Lucky hamster!!! But as usual, no difference whether the photo was taken in KL or here coz it's still the same cage!!!

The many poses of Jessy

2009-12-24T14:29:00.000+08:00

Jessy on the other hand, is a little more boring. Here are her many poses ... but as you can see, they're all the same. The typical 'Princess Pose'.

The Many Expressions of Snow

2009-12-23T14:19:00.000+08:00

I love to take photos of Snow. He just has endless expressions. Here are some of the few that I liked.

More pictures of Pepper & Pumpkin

2009-12-21T09:43:00.000+08:00

Just realised that Jas got lots of pics of Pepper & Pumpkin!!! How nice!!! They're rather blur coz she took them using her hp but still, cute pictures of them nevertheless. Here are some of the nicer ones ... a total of 41 pictures in their very short 1 month life ... Sniff ='(

Pumpkin Hamster

2009-12-10T16:10:00.001+08:00

Yesterday, I got an sms from sis at about 3pm saying my Pumpkin died. Before I left for work, he was actively running his hamster wheels and eating carrots. Sis said that he ate cucumber for lunch and after lunch, he just died.

He is my 3rd hamster that died in like 2 months. Why??

Is it all hamsters bought from night market are not good? I like my Pepper and Pumpkin ...

Sniff sniff ... I really do like them. ='(

Pepper Hamster

2009-12-07T13:43:00.001+08:00

This morning, I woke up as usual and the first thing I'll do is to check on my new hamsters, Pepper and Pumpkin. I got such a shock when I saw my Pepper lying there, not moving. I immediately thought he was dead!!! Called dad, and later found out that he was still alive, but of course, died soon after.

He was actually still breathing but notty Pumpkin when to nibble on his eyes and he bled to death!!! Poor Pepper!!! Notty Pumpkin. Jas was of the idea that Pumpkin pittied Pepper suffering so he made him die faster. Still, he should have taken care of Pepper instead of nibbling on his eyes!!!

Here are all the photos I have of Pepper ... so little compared to my other hamsters.

Oh well, guess I'm not getting anymore hamsters still Pepper dies and at least Pepper has a place with Piggie now ...

Sniff sniff ...All my hamsters just have to die ... ='(

Pepper & Pumpkin

2009-11-24T13:31:00.001+08:00

Introducing the latest addition to my household .... Pepper & Pumpkin (or should I named him Piggie??)

Got them from the Vaan Pragh Road night market for RM6.50 per pair. Cheap huh?! Lucky them!!! I selected them from a tank full of hamsters and how they'll be so pampered with Strawberry Bathing Salt, good food and good place to live for the rest of their lives!!!

This was how I carried them back ... in newspaper bag. Oh and this is also their very first picture!!!

Cute Pepper. I used to have a hamster named Pepper. Same color and same look, except that Pepper could somersault. Wonder if this one can. Got potential, I think, since I see that he can jump quite high.

Pumpkin, or should it be Piggie?

Pumpkin & Pepper enjoying their meal together. BFF!!!!

Think I'll stick to Pumpkin since I never had a Pumpkin and since Jas said this hamster does not look like a Piggie. How does a Piggie look like anyway? Same color ma ...

Harry Hamster Spa-ing

2009-10-21T16:23:00.001+08:00

I came back from KL recently and bought this thing called Hamster Bath Sand from a pet shop in 1Utama Shopping Complex. RM5 for a small bottle. Expensive huh?! They have lots of flavors and since I like pink, I choose the strawberry flavour for my hamsters.

And since poor Piggie Hamster is dead, leaving poor Harry Hamster all alone, Jaslyn decided to give him a treat, letting him use his Hamster Bath Salt.

The instruction on the bottle says to pour about 1 - 1 1/2 cm, leave the hamster inside for about 30 mins. With that, we actually need a hamster toilet. We saw a hamster toilet, but thought it was for play ... looks like it does have its purpose!!!

Since we didn't have a hamster toilet, a small container will do just fine, for the time being. And poor me had to be the one holding the container while Harry Hamster is happily enjoying his spa. Hmpf!!!!

By the way, he's a little dumb, didn't know how to roll himself in the salt. Instead, he tried to escape from the container. Stupid or what?! But isn't he adorable in this picture!!!!!! So cute!!!

Finally learn that he needs to roll in the sand. Stupid hamster ... and the spa session lasted approx. 5 mins only, not 30 mins as per the instruction.

He did came out smelling of strawberry. Perhaps I should buy him the blueberry flavor sand in my next trip!!!

2009-10-19T12:50:00.001+08:00

In loving memory ...

Piggie Hamster IV

(6 Jan 2007 - 19 Oct 2009)

Poor Piggie Hamster has been sick for days. Before I went down to KL last Friday, I thought he would die during the weekend. Texted Jaslyn non stop to ask if he is dead, but somehow, he didn't die, but slept a lot and can't get up to eat or drink. I got back on Sunday night and went to see him. He managed to struggle to get up and looked at me!!! Sniff .. sniff ... perhaps he does know that I am his master, and perhaps he really did loved me!!!

Saw him one last time on Monday morning, before I left for work. Dad said Piggie died in the afternoon. Dad made a little box for him, put him inside, put some bedding for him, and buried him at the landscaping area near our letterbox. Wonder what will the management think, if they ever found out.

Unlike all our previous hamsters, this one is actually buried. And unlike all my other hamsters, I loved this one the most ... and I think he loved me as well (or else he wouldn't have struggled to get up to see me one last time, right?)

Looks like Piggie Hamster has a good final resting place, which is always near to us!!!

Snow & his blanket

2009-10-14T09:46:00.000+08:00

It has been ages since I last posted pictures of Snow ... and here are his latest pictures, and his latest favorite ... his TOWEL!!!! These pictures were taken in my room. He sleeps with me on the days when he smells good.

The usual picture of Snow and ME!!! Should I be the mummy or big sister?!

Piggie Hamster

2009-10-13T10:03:00.000+08:00

My poor Piggie Hamster was sick last night. I thought he wasn't going to make it already. He is a very old hamster ... almost 2 years old and perhaps my longest surviving hamster ever. (I've got quite a few hamsters before, all named Piggie and all the same color!!!)

The first thing I checked this morning was the hamster cage and I was so glad to see my little hamster burrowing around, looking for food. He must have been very hungry since he didn't even have a bite last night. Poor hamster. Fed him 2 sunflower seeds, and a little bit of rice. Good thing my sister's hamster, Harry, did not fight for the food this time. Good Harry!!!

Lets just hope Piggie Hamster can live a little longer!!!

ND woman's 7-foot-long dog could be record holder

2009-10-09T13:19:00.000+08:00

CASSELTON, N.D. – Boomer may be a buster: Measuring 3 feet tall at the shoulders and 7 feet long from nose to destructive wagging tail, he might be the world's tallest living dog. Owner Caryn Weber says her 3-year-old Landseer Newfoundland keeps all four paws on the floor when he drinks from the kitchen faucet in her family's eastern North Dakota farm house.

Boomer stares into car windows eye to eye with drivers. A 20-pound bag of dry dog food lasts the 180-pound canine a couple of weeks.

Weber says her furry black and white dog "comes into the house and his tail is so high everything gets knocked around."

Weber plans to send Boomer's measurements to Guinness World Records. The previous record holder was a nearly 4-foot-tall Great Dane that died this summer.

My apartment ... and all the animals there

2009-10-02T14:53:00.003+08:00

My apartment area can be a mini wildlife sanctuary ...

These are the animals found at my apartment area.

Black & yellow squirrel ...

I named it Squiddy

The 2 dogs, male black and female white ... barking at Squiddy non stop!!

And this cute fat cat .. there's another one but now both gone missing already

Pet Obesity

2009-07-27T15:48:00.002+08:00

Obesity is not just a rising problem among humans; our pets are also suffering from the excesses of modern life. The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) estimated in 2008 that over the previous year alone there had been a 10% rise in the number of overweight animals in the UK, with half a million pets tipping the scales. And in a survey of veterinary professionals, two-thirds said that pet obesity is the single biggest health issue facing domestic animals in Europe.

Being overweight will not only reduce your pet’s quality of life but can cause serious health issues such as type 2 diabetes, arthritis, breathing difficulties and liver and heart problems. In some cases these can even prove fatal, with 96% of veterinary professionals citing early death as the most serious consequence of animal obesity.

While giving your beloved pooch the odd treat may not seem cruel, many pet owners are literally killing their animals with kindness. But there are many ways that you can help your pet to lose weight and lead a healthier and happier life.

The first step to helping your pet shed the pounds is to identify if they are in the danger zone. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), your pet is healthy if:

* Their ribs are easily felt but not protruding
* Their stomach doesn’t sag
* Their waist is easily seen from above

If you cannot tick these off the checklist, it may be time to visit your vet, who will be able to offer advice on the best ways to help your pet lose weight. Follow pet insurance provider Halifax's top five tips to help your pet beat the flab:

Calorie count: Calorie counting isn’t just for those of us trying to fit into our favourite old jeans, pets need to watch their calories too. Learn how many calories your pet should be consuming in a day and check food packets to inform portion sizes. According to the APOP, a 10lb cat should be having around 275 calories a day, a 10lb dog 300 calories, a 20lb dog 500 calories and a 50lb dog 1,2000 calories.

Eating out: If you suspect that your cat may be eating out round at the neighbours’ house, make enquiries. If your suspicions are confirmed, politely ask them to stop feeding the cat. It is often the case that several family members are feeding a pet without knowing that it has already had its fair share. Sit the family down and arrange a feeding schedule to prevent your pet running rings around you.

Snack attack: Remember to think relatively. One biscuit might not make much difference to you, but for a small animal can be equivalent to a packet. Try not to feed your pet snacks that are high in saturated fat such as biscuits, crisps and cheese. Chocolate is particularly dangerous, containing a stimulant that can cause heart failure in dogs.

Make a meal of it: Two or three smaller meals throughout the day are better for your pet than one large one, keeping their energy levels up while preventing feelings of fullness and lethargy. Remember that dry food expands in an animal’s stomach, so is more filling than it might look - consult your vet for ideal portion sizes. When reducing your dogs’ portions, bulk up meals with grated raw vegetables or bran that will pass through the animal’s body easily while not adding many calories.

Keep fit: If you have a dog, increase the length and frequency of its daily walks and play games such as fetch that will encourage it to run. Cat owners have a harder job on their hands, but can still encourage exercise by playing with their cat with anything from string to toy mice. Experiment and see what your cat best responds to.

Puppy For Sale

2009-07-27T10:46:00.002+08:00

What puppy is this? French bulldog? Anyway, it is for sale. With certificate. Only RM1200

Bushland Terrier - Cairn Terrier / Scottish Terrier Hybrid

2009-07-02T15:32:00.000+08:00

Bullypit - American Bulldog / American Pit Bull Terrier Hybrid

2009-07-02T15:31:00.000+08:00

Bully Bordeaux - Bullmastiff / Dogue de Bordeaux Hybrid

2009-07-02T15:30:00.000+08:00

Bully Basset (Bullet) - Basset Hound / Bulldog Hybrid

2009-07-02T15:28:00.000+08:00

Bulloxer - Boxer / American Bulldog Hybrid

2009-07-02T15:26:00.000+08:00

Bullmatian - Bulldog / Dalmatian Hybrid

2009-07-01T15:24:00.000+08:00

Bullmasador - Bullmastiff / Labrador Retriever Hybrid

2009-07-01T15:23:00.000+08:00

Bullboxer Staffy Bull - Boxer / Staffordshire Bull Terrier Hybrid

2009-07-01T15:21:00.002+08:00

Bullboxer Staff - Boxer / American Staffordshire Terrier Hybrid

2009-07-01T15:19:00.000+08:00

Bullboxer Pit - Boxer / American Pit Bull Terrier Hybrid

2009-06-30T15:18:00.000+08:00

Bullador - English Bulldog / Labrador Retriever Hybrid

2009-06-30T15:16:00.000+08:00

Bull-Pei - English Bulldog / Chinese Shar-Pei Hybrid

2009-06-30T15:15:00.000+08:00

Buggs (Bug) (Bugg) - Pug / Boston Terrier Hybrid

2009-06-30T15:13:00.000+08:00

BT Walker - Boxer / Treeing Walker Coonhound Hybrid

2009-06-30T15:10:00.000+08:00

My pets at home

2009-06-29T14:51:00.003+08:00

Ok it looks like I have abandoned this blog long enough to start posting back once again. And since I've just gotten my new camera, here are some pictures taken from my new camera ... starting of with ...

My very own Piggie Hamster!!! Isn't he just adorable!!!

Then of course is Harry the Fat. Trust me, he is fat. Don't believe me, take a look at the next picture ..

See, told you he is fat.

See, can't even run properly anymore. Diet Diet!!!

Oh and there is Jessy, the usual 'sleeping beauty pose' ...

and Snow. Poor thing looks blur ..

and even worse with the sephia mode I used.

Notty Piggie

2009-05-29T14:54:00.002+08:00

This is what my Piggie Hamster is up to these days .. chewing on the metal piece of the water bottle!!!

Notty Notty Piggie!!!

Jessy @ Gurney Park BBQ

2009-05-26T10:00:00.002+08:00

Took Jessy to a friend's BBQ last Friday and she totally enjoyed it!!! In fact, she got so much of food from the BBQ. Next round, Snow will go ..

Dog Years Calculator

2009-05-07T08:53:00.003+08:00

I found this online Dog Years Calculator. Give it a try.

Which means ...

if Jessy is 10 years old doggy age, she'll be 53 years old human age!!! She's a senior citizen already!!!

and if Snow is 6 years old doggy age, he'll be 37 years old human age!!! Hehe older than me!!!

Restaurant City & Pet Society

2009-04-18T11:10:00.001+08:00

I am so slacking on my blogging nowadays!!! All because of these ...

Pet Society

Restaurant City

I am so addicted to these 2 games on Facebook!!! Help!!!

Dog Tail-Chasing Linked to High Cholesterol

2009-03-25T09:14:00.002+08:00

A team of veterinarians has found a surprising link between compulsive tail-chasing in dogs and high cholesterol, according to a study published in the March issue of the Journal of Small Animal Practice.

The finding adds to a growing body of evidence -- mostly from studies on humans -- that high cholesterol may be a marker for behavioral problems such as panic attacks and obsessive compulsive disorder, which could be expressed by frequent tail-chasing falls in dogs.

Bouts of tail-chasing can also occur after a dog experiences physical trauma, surgery or illness, noted Hasan Batmaz, a member of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Turkey's University of Uludag, who conducted the study along with a team of colleagues.

Certain breeds, such as bull terriers and German shepherds, seem to chase their tails more often than others.

For the study, the researchers took blood samples from 15 otherwise healthy dogs that were compulsive tail-chasers. To serve as controls, 15 dogs that rarely chase their tails were included in the study as well.

The tail-chasers had significantly higher cholesterol numbers -- including both HDL and LDL -- compared with the control dogs, the researchers found.

The reason, they said, could be that high cholesterol levels glob up cell membranes at the microscopic level, affecting the flow of brain hormones such as serotonin that are involved in mood and behavior.

Female dogs were more likely to be obsessive tail-chasers, but the researchers aren't sure why.

Past studies have found that people with panic disorders and certain phobias often have higher cholesterol levels, possibly as a result of increased activity of hormones tied to the "fight or flight" response.

Lisa Peterson, a longtime dog breeder who is director of communications for the American Kennel Club, was surprised by the new study.

"It's an interesting hypothesis, especially as we don't usually test for cholesterol in dogs," she told Discovery News.

Peterson explained that since high cholesterol in dogs doesn't always lead to the same health issues as it does in humans, such as clogged arteries, dogs aren't tested for their serum lipid levels as part of their annual wellness exams.

"Blood pressure isn't usually measured for dogs either, unless the dog is exhibiting extreme symptoms," she added.

As for tail-chasing, she said, "this is usually just a puppy thing that happens when young pups discover they have a tail."

But when tail-chasing becomes compulsive, she said the behavior could be due to "nature or nurture," meaning genetic or environmental causes, including "a stressful incident trigger."

Although a change to a lower fat diet could help alleviate compulsive tail-chasing in dogs, Peterson doubts high cholesterol is always a result of overeating, since "manufactured pet foods must all meet governmental regulations for protein, ash, fat and water content, and more."

"Dogs don't elect to gorge themselves on french fries all day," she said.

The World’s Ten Smartest Dogs

2009-03-13T09:24:00.000+08:00

PetMD did come up a list of the top ten smartest canine breeds in the world. See if your dog’s breed makes the grade.

#10 Australian Cattle Dog
Yes, that Australian Cattle Dog from Down Under. A working dog that is traditionally occupied with controlling and herding cattle, its qualities are exceptional intelligence, alertness, resourcefulness, and a fiercely protective loyalty over its property and people. They are agile, strong, active dogs, both physically and mentally, which revel in new experiences. The flip side is that they bore easily and will unintentionally find trouble while looking for activities to occupy themselves with. The Cattle Dog is very organized; many are known for putting their own toys away after playing.

#9 Rottweiler
Another herding dog, the Rottweiler began in Germany as a true work companion. They are still primarily used for work as guard dogs and as police dogs. They are well known for their stoicism, keen perception, courage, and unflagging loyalty. They make an excellent addition to the family.

#8 Papillon
This deceptively cute, butterfly-eared dog is smarter, tougher, and stronger than it appears (it’s like the bionic dog). Often described as big dogs in little bodies, they have the athletic stamina to keep up on long walks, and the bravura of a canine ten times its size. The Papillon is a true companion and watchdog. Although they can be ferociously protective over what belongs to them, their keen intelligence makes it possible to take them anywhere. Let’s not forget they can be litter trained, a big plus.

#7 Labrador Retriever
The Lab, as it is affectionately called, is the most popular breed chosen by families. Another member of the working class of dogs, the Lab is best known for its intelligence, affection, patience, and gentility, making them perfect companions for households with kids. They are easily trained, and, in fact, are one of the top dogs chosen for search and rescue, assisting the disabled, and police work. They are also known to self-train, observing behaviors in humans and repeating them—a great asset in emergency situations.

#6 Shetland Sheepdog
Another herding dog, the Shetland takes this ability into the home, showing the same commitment and protectiveness over its human “herd” as the farm raised version does. Highly intelligent, the Sheltie handles life with great efficiency and diligence, learning new commands with little repetition, and making sure that all of the family is safe, sound, and in place. They show great devotion to their families, and are happy to live just about anywhere.

#5 Doberman Pinscher
Due to an inborn fearlessness and deep stamina, the Doberman is one of the most popular of guard dogs. Smart and assertive, they can easily be trained for dominance or docility. Because of their past as war and police dogs, they may appear fearsome, but they are actually quite gentle. Their loyalty and acuity make Doberman’s great additions to the family.

#4 Golden Retriever
A very affectionate and popular breed, the Golden Retriever is highly regarded for its intelligence. They can learn well over 200 commands, making them indispensable companions, both in the home and in the workplace. Loyal, loving, and patient, with a willingness to please and a love of learning, this is a fabulous companion pet to bring into your family.

#3 German Shepherd
The German Shepherd was originally bred specifically for intelligence. Smart, courageous, and protective, the Shepherd is one of the most dependable of companions. They learn tasks after only a few repetitions, and obey first commands nearly always the first time it is given. They are eager to learn new tasks, as this gives them direction and purpose—very important for a Shepherd. Besides being used for herding animals, they are often used as guard dogs, police dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, and have even been trained by the military for parachute jumps.

#2 Poodle
Easily trainable, steadfast, and sharp-minded, Poodles flourish in human company. Even with the frou-frou hairdos, Poodles are sometimes made to endure and can be quite effective as guard dogs, especially the standard sized Poodles. In fact, the “poodle clip,” was created specifically for the working Poodle, so that it could swim more effectively, while still having fur to protect its organs as it went about the business of hunting and retrieving. The Poodle excels at training and obedience, and also loves creative play time. This is what made them so popular as circus performers. But, this can be a drawback as well. If left alone to boredom, Poodles can be creative about finding ways to amuse themselves, sometimes finding trouble along the way.

#1 Border Collie
The Border Collie comes in at number one. Because of their extraordinary intelligence and high energy, it is essential to give Border Collies an occupation or purpose, or you may well find your home wrecked upon your return from a long day at work. They have an intense connection with humans, making them ideal work and home companions. However, keep this in mind: Border Collies invariably will not do well unless they are with people who are as high energy as they are; they do best with humans who can participate in dog sports with them. Also, because of their background as herding dogs, they may be frustrated by small children, as their inability to herd the children as they deem fit is confounded. For the right human, the Border Collie is well behaved, exceptionally good at learning, and a true-blue companion.

Snow & Jessy's progress

2009-03-03T11:00:00.004+08:00

I know I've been neglecting this blog quite a bit already. I've not been snapping photos of Snow & Jessy as often as I used to. But that is because all their photos are the same!!! They have the same post all the time!!!

Anyway, there's a little bit about their progress ...

SNOW

Still loves to sleep near / under the table

Now knows how to jump up to sleep on the sofa on cold nights or when everyone has gone to sleep

Not only he loves to sleep on the sofa, he loves to lean on the pillow as well

Occasionally sleeps in the basket I bought them, but he's a little too big for the basket.

And if he sleeps in the basket, this is how he does it. I know, it's a little obscene, but he doesn't know it!!! Hehe ...

JESSY

Now loves to chew on the towel we used as floor mat. Never thought Jessy could be so naughty huh?! Well she is now!!!

Sleeps on it after she's done with the chewing

Sleeps on the towel outside the bathroom

Loves the mattress very very much, but totally dislikes the basket. She only sleeps on the mattress when I take it out from the basket

Ocassionally does her 'innocent' look still, to charm everyone else!!!

Cutest Dressed Dogs

2009-01-24T11:37:00.003+08:00

Latest pictures of Snow & Jessy

2009-01-22T15:13:00.004+08:00

These are the latest pictures of Snow & Jessy

Erm .. a little fat eh?! But not that bad I suppose, till her next visit to Gill and she might be asked to slim down a little.

Still with her short pixie cut .. but this picture looks a little dull

So we brighten up the picture a little and her coat looks silkier

See a silky will always be 'silky' even with short hair!!!

And this is Snow, hiding under the table

Another picture of Snow hiding under the table ... boring!!!

Snow & Jessy's new gadget

2009-01-22T15:04:00.003+08:00

Just realised that I've not updated this blog for such a long time already!!! Just in case you're wondering, I have not abandoned this blog yet and neither have I stopped taking photos of my dogs!!!

Here's their lastest 'gadget' ... a doggy basket I bought from Ikea!!!

So now Jessy has the basket and snow gets the mattress ... Snow is a little too big for the basket.

But of course, Jessy ultimately gets both the basket and mattress as well!!! See how pampered she is!!!

And Snow gets the sofa, or

The towel

Brittany Bourbonnais - Brittany Spaniel / Braque du Bourbonnais Hybrid

2008-12-19T15:30:00.001+08:00

Brat - American Rat Terrier / Boston Terrier Hybrid

2008-12-19T15:29:00.000+08:00

Brusselranian - Brussels Griffon / Pomeranian Hybrid

2008-12-19T15:28:00.000+08:00

Brug - Brussels Griffon / Pug Hybrid

2008-12-19T15:26:00.000+08:00

Brottweiler - Brussels Griffon / Rottweiler Hybrid

2008-12-19T15:25:00.000+08:00

Broodle Griffon (Brus-a-Poo) - Brussels Griffon / Poodle Hybrid

2008-12-19T15:20:00.000+08:00

Altered photos of my pets

2008-12-04T15:02:00.003+08:00

Realised that dad's handphone can actually add cliparts on photos and I tried on my Snow, Jessy and Piggie's photos. Of course, Harry as usual do not have a proper decent photo so I can't include the clipart, but Jaslyn managed to do one!!!

Harry's self portrait

2008-12-03T09:32:00.001+08:00

As usual, whatever Piggy gets, Harry gets too!!! And here are some of Harry's best shots. Harry is so hyper active and crawling all over the place that I couldn't even get a decent shot of him!!!

And look what happened when we gave him a toy. He ended up chewing and bitting it!!! Naughty Harry!!!

Piggy's self portrait

2008-12-02T09:24:00.005+08:00

I wanted to take really close up photos of my hamsters and here are a few of Piggy's best shots. Can't really get him to pose for photos, until I gave him a treat!!! At least, he did not end up biting everything and crawling all over the place!!

December grooming

2008-12-01T08:55:00.005+08:00

Jane : Once again, it's grooming time for Snow & Jessy!!! As usual, here are their photos after grooming!!!

Snow : Why do I always have to end up looking skinny and like a girl??!!!

Jessy : My new look. Jane thinks that my hair is a little too messy and I now have a new pixie cut!!!

Jessy : Do I look cute?! Dad didn't quite like my new haircut!!!

Jessy : More aerodynamic!!!

Maxie ... still there.

Ruba, the poodle

One little baby puppy peeping out from its cage

Very naughth shih-tzu and beagle mix

Ruba the poodle again

Black cocker spanial with nice curly fringes and long hair!!!

Bowzer - Basset Hound / Miniature Schnauzer Hybrid

2008-11-24T15:32:00.000+08:00

Boweimar - Boxer / Weimaraner Hybrid

2008-11-24T15:31:00.002+08:00

Boxweiler Pictures - Boxer / Rottweiler Hybrid

2008-11-24T15:29:00.000+08:00

Boxerdoodle - Boxer / Poodle Hybrid

2008-11-24T15:28:00.000+08:00

Boxador - Boxer / Labrador Retriever Hybrid

2008-11-24T15:27:00.002+08:00

Boston Spaniel - Boston Terrier / Cocker Spaniel hybrid

2008-11-24T15:25:00.001+08:00

Boston Lab - Boston Terrier / Labrador Retriever hybrid

2008-11-24T15:23:00.001+08:00

Boston Cattle Dog - Australian Cattle Dog / Boston Terrier Hybrid

2008-11-24T15:19:00.001+08:00

Piggie & Harry's sleeping positions

2008-11-21T15:39:00.004+08:00

Sis insisted that I put up more pictures on our hamsters, Piggie & Harry. She recently look quite a number of pictures of them sleeping and here are the few selected ones. Sorry picture quality is not good coz of her phone.

Piggie's favourite sleeping place for the night ... & sometimes day too!!! On the wheel!!!

Harry tying to sleep on the plastice burrow. He actually imitated Piggie!!! Piggie started this sleeping method first!!

See how Piggie sleeps on the plastic borrow so nicely!!

Piggie sleeping in his little corner

Harry sleeping near the water bottle. Again, he is imitating Piggie!!!

Piggie & Harry sleeping together!!!

Cute Cute Snow

2008-11-13T15:53:00.000+08:00

Jessy with toys

2008-11-03T14:09:00.002+08:00

Jessy : Can you spot me?!

Jessy : Preety us all in a row!!!

Bostinese - Boston Terrier / Pekingese Hybrid

2008-10-24T15:39:00.000+08:00

Bostillon - Boston Terrier / Papillion Hybrid

2008-10-24T15:38:00.000+08:00

Bossi-Poo - Poodle / Boston Terrier Hybrid

2008-10-24T15:37:00.000+08:00

Bospin - Boston Terrier / Miniature Pinscher Hybrid

2008-10-24T15:36:00.002+08:00

Boskimo - American Eskimo / Boston Terrier Hybrid

2008-10-24T15:36:00.001+08:00

BoShih - Boston Terrier / Shih-Tzu Hybrid

2008-10-24T15:34:00.000+08:00

Bosapso - Boston Terrier / Lhasa Apso Hybrid

2008-10-24T15:33:00.000+08:00

Bordoodle - Border Collie / Poodle Hybrid

2008-10-24T15:32:00.000+08:00

Bordernese - Border Collie / Bernese Mountain Dog Hybrid

2008-10-24T15:23:00.001+08:00

Snow with toys

2008-10-14T15:01:00.003+08:00

Jane : A picture is worth a thousand words. This season, I will attempt to put up a series of pictures that shows an explanation of a little story ... and we start with Snow. Here are a series of pictures of Snow with the soft toys.

Snow : New soft toy for me?!

Snow : Lets check it out. We dogs usually check other dogs out by smelling their butt!!

Snow : Smell every other toy as well!!!

Snow : And burry myself in them ... zzzzz!!!

Snow : But Jane insisted on taking photo ... Smile!!!

Snow : What?! More photos?! Don't disturb my nap!!

Snow : Ok 1 more big SMILE!!!