More Summer Pet Tips

More Summer Pet Tips

1.    Never leave your pet in a hot car.

2.    Make sure your pet is protected from internal and external parasites.

3.    Keep your pet’s paws off how asphalt on in the bed of a truck.

4.    Your pet should have access to water 24/7

5.    Give your pet some cold and/or icy treats or a wading pool.

6.    Don’t assume your pet can swim well.

7.    No fence? Keep your dog leashed at all times.

8.    Watch your pets weight. Feed less if overweight. Feed more if losing weight. Ask your vet.

9.    Pets can get sunburns too. Take your pet for a walk at dawn or dusk and avoid the middle of the day. 

10.  Ventilate your home but make sure screens are up and fully intact so your pet does not try to make an escape.

Enjoy your summer with your pet(s)!

Top Ten Summer Pet Tips

1. Make sure your pet has access to water 24/7.

2. Indoors? Lots of air flow! No air conditioner? Lots of fans or make a DIY air conditioner. Also utilize open windows and doors when its cool outside usually early morning and in the evening when the sun goes away.

3.Outdoors? Lots of shade and water features are always nice be it a play pool or some ice treats.

4. Avoid asphalt and concrete if its super hot out, the temperature of the asphalt and concrete could burn your pets paws.

5. Give your pet a haircut! Long haired or double coated pets would appreciate the shave down.

6. Not so much dry food maybe more wet foods and or raw meats are a special treat especially after being refrigerated or straight from the freezer.

7. Absolutely no leaving pets unattended in a hot car!

8. Take dog/cat walks in the early morning or in the evening avoid the middle of the day.

9. Hats and umbrella always a do to shade a pup's sensitive face.

10. Keep your lawn mowed and trimmed and avoid long grass and overgrown bushes in general where ticks and fleas could catch a ride on your pet.

Why Do Purebred Dogs Cost So Much?

First of all, the cost is not necessarily excessive when compared to other luxury items that have a similar upkeep cost… they are usually in the $1000–2000 range, but even a “free” dog is going to cost about $1000 to keep fed, etc. So owning a dog in general is going to cost you $10,000–15,000 over it’s lifetime. When you count in the decreased odds of major medical problems in a well bred purebred, the purebred can actually be the bargain (hip or elbow surgery? yeah, that’s going to be $1200–5000 to fix a congenital problem).

Second, it depends on what you want and need in a dog. For many pet homes, the average dog will dog. They don’t need a dog that is particularly talented or adept at any sort of thing - they don’t need a retriever or a herding or a guarder or even a more-than-normally tolerant pet. There are thousands of average dogs in shelters, if that is what you need, then go get one. But, if you need a dog that fits a specific set of traits beyond the normal “relatively good dog” stuff, then your best bet is to get a dog that has been bred for hundreds of years to do what you need it to do… and to shell out whatever it costs to get a dog from a breeder that can prove they are producing dogs that can do whatever it is well.

Third, purebred isn’t the be-all to end-all, there are poorly bred purebreds out there. If you’re going to bother to get a purebred, then you should bother finding a good breeder that can provide proof of pedigree, health testing, type and soundness (usually a conformation title), and working ability/instincts in the dogs they are breeding from and the dogs they are producing.

How is the cost of a puppy determined?
Show and hobby breeders usually charge the same amount for a puppy that they pay for a stud fee. So, if the stud fee is $500, then they will charge $500 for a puppy. This is a general guideline for most breeders, though there are always exceptions. Lots of titles are certainly nice, but health clearances, temperament, conformation, siblings and other offspring, and pedigree matter more for the parents of a litter than titles. A good dog who has wonderful brothers and sisters, with lots of good health clearances, is a better bet as a stud dog than a gorgeous dog with lots of titles from a poor family. The gorgeous dog is probably a fluke and less likely to pass along his good traits.

 A knowledgeable breeder will sometimes choose to breed to a dog who doesn’t even have a title if s/he feels the dog has some other important quality. But be sure you are dealing with a knowledgeable breeder and not someone who is simply tossing dogs together in order to avoid paying a stud fee. If you are calculating that breeders make lots of money with big litters, think again. A litter with lots of puppies means there are lots of mouths to feed to the age of 8, 10, or sometimes 12 weeks of age. Puppies need 3-4 meals per day of puppy food so feeding puppies is expensive. Even during the weeks when the mother dog is nursing the puppies, she needs lots of additional food to be able to nurse them. Add to this cost the cost of first and second shots, depending on the age the puppies leave the breeder. Vaccinations and worming for a litter of 10 puppies, for example, are not cheap.

Better breeders typically have health tests performed on their dogs prior to breeding such as hip and elbow x-rays and other tests recommended for their particular breed. These tests usually involve anesthesia, x-rays, blood work, screening by a veterinary panel, and other vet work. The cost for these tests, per dog, is usually hundreds of dollars so the breeder can be sure the dog is healthy.There are also tests involved for the male and female dog just prior to breeding to make sure they do not carry any sexually transmitted diseases; and often the breeder has progesterone tests and other lab work done on the female dog to be able to pinpoint the best time for breeding. Again, the costs of these tests adds up.

 In some cases breeders use artificial insemination so they don’t have to ship their female dog to the home of the male dog. Costs associated with artificial insemination are high but so, too, are the costs of sending a female dog across country to a suitable mate. A breeder can easily spend several thousand dollars for one breeding. And there is never any guarantee that the female dog will become pregnant. A breeder can spend a lot of money and have no puppies to show for it.

 So, for show and hobby breeders, breeding a litter of puppies is not exactly a money-making proposition, even when puppies are sold for high prices. These breeders are usually breeding in order to improve the breed and produce the best puppies so they can continue to show, hunt, or have the kind of dogs they need for their own hobby or work. They sell the remaining puppies to other show or hobby people and to pet homes, which helps to cover some of their costs. Most show and hobby breeders are lucky to break even when they breed a litter and sell the puppies they don’t keep.

Prices of Purebred Puppies
Prices for puppies from a show or hobby breeder can range anywhere from about $500 to around $3000, depending on the breed. Toy breed puppies often cost the most because they usually have small litters (sometimes with just 1 or 2 puppies in a litter). Breeds that are very popular for any reason can also cost more in California and on the west coast almost always cost more than in other parts of demand higher prices. If a breed is in demand and breeders have their phones ringing off the hook, prices will rise. However, there can be regional differences in puppy prices. . Breeders in New York, Chicago, and other metro areas often charge more. The cost of dog food, vet care, and other dog-related services are higher in these areas.

Before you buy any puppy you should talk to some good breeders who have the breed that interests you. Money should not be the primary focus of your conversations, but it is fair to ask how much they charge for puppies when they have them. You should also ask which health tests are normal for the breed, and what to look for in a good puppy. Don’t be surprised if you have to get on a waiting list to get the puppy you want from the breeder you like. Most show and hobby breeders don’t breed all the time so they don’t have puppies available year-round. Breeding is not their job. It’s something they do because they love the dogs. It’s better to build a good relationship with a good breeder you like and trust and wait a few months for the right puppy than to rush out and buy the wrong puppy. A good breeder will be there for you for your dog’s entire life, answering questions and helping you along the way.


In the end it is up to you whether or not you decide to purchase a purebred dog that will cost a pretty penny and may have health defects. My only concern is don't buy designer dogs or two purebred bred that produce a cross-bred litter. Sure maybe these are more genetically stable or hyper-allergenic but frankly your better off just getting a mixed mutt from the shelter. Costs less for the most part and the puppy is guarantee to have shots and are fixed so they don't contribute to the pet over-population and backyard breeding/puppy mills.

It's International Puppy Day

It's International Puppy Day. National Puppy Day was founded in 2006 by Celebrity Pet & Home Lifestyle Expert and Author, Colleen Paige, who is also the founder of National Dog Day and National Cat Day (among many others). International Puppy Day serves as an awareness day to combat inhumane practices in dog breeding and animal treatment.

 These include aiming to close Puppy Farms, where dogs are often mistreated to induce higher breeding levels, as well as promoting the adoption of orphaned puppies. The importance of dog spaying and neutering is also a major theme of the day, as it aims to prevent pet over-population and the abandonment of unwanted puppies. Here is a list where you can adopt dogs and puppies from other countries but please don't forget to adopt locally as well!

Free Korean Dogs

Soi Dog

Pets In Turkey

Sochi Dogs

Mex Pup

Samui Dog

Howl of a Dog

Ark Bark

Happy House

Animal Rescue QLD

Before adopting always know international pet adoption laws and pet immunization and quarantine procedures!

 Do your research and good luck on finding your forever international dog/puppy friend!

Spring is Coming Soon! Prepare your pets for pests.

Spring is coming soon and pests are about to rear their ugly heads once again to plaque your pet.

Here are some helpful tips to prepare your pet springtime pests.


Mosquito season is coming so if you live in a area that has a major problem with this pest it is advisable to get back on track with heartworm prevention medication. Ensure there are no standing puddles of stagnant water where mosquitoes can lay their eggs and larvae can thrive. Insect repellent might be a good idea, always read directions! Or use citronella candles or there are citronella collars as well.


Continue flea and tick protection. Use a OTC or prescription medication and/or repellant to keep fleas and ticks at bay. Keep a exceptionally clean house. Vacuum daily! If it gets really out of control throw a baking soda, borax and salt mixture on the carpet. Let sit for 1-2 hours and vacuum. Diatomaceous earth can also be used. Bug bomb and use flea collars if necessary. Highly recommend if you have  a out of control infestation to hire a bug exterminator.


Watch out for parasitic worms like tapeworms, round worms and whip worms. Have medication on hand in case these little buggers pop up. Use brewers yeast, wormwood or garlic tabs for a herbal prevention. Make sure to know correct dosing procedures and always as your veterinarian before giving any herbal supplements or trying any herbal remedies.