This is a fun idea: how about a dog food commercial that is specially designed with images and sounds for you rdog to enjoy too! Our dogs are such avid TV watchers that we often leave the TV on for them when we go out, and we’ve had them go into the other room if we’re watching a suspensful action movie, so it makes sense that advertisers would tap into this interest to make a commercial more compelling. This particular commercial is for Beneful dog food from Purina, our amazing sponsor. You can watch a two and a half minute behind-the-scenes video here with the vet who developed the toy squeaks and high-pitched dog-only sounds, and then click the link under that to watch the TV commercial yourself — and with your dog too of course! Does it get your dog’s attention? Let us know by posting your comment on our Facebook wall!
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The Mean Kitty: Pet Psychic
Since it is 3/13 today we decided to write about something a little out-of-the ordinary: a pet psychic! Or as she calls herself more officially, and animal communicator. It is one of the Mean Kitty videos, a fun series of videos on Petcentric who’s purpose is, says feline stars Sparta and Loki, “To remind us all that pets aren’t just a piece of furniture in our homes… even though they can look that way sometimes. : ) We’ll show you new ways to love your pets by simply spending a little more time with them each day.” They are both adopted rescue cats and their person Pete has a great sense of kitty humor that makes them a lot of fun! Plus Sparta and Loki are absolutely riveting to watch of course. But let’s get back to the Pet Psychic video <– you can click the link to watch it on Petcentric. The famous pet psychic visits and communicates with Sparta and Loki. Laura Stinchfield. Even if you are a sceptic, it’s pretty amazing to watch the surprizing answers the cats have for some of Pete’s and Laura’s questions!
Have you ever had a pet psychic communicate with your pets? Tell us about it on the Adopt-a-Pet.com Facebook page!
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The Friskies 2013 video contest!
The Friskies video contest is back! You can upload your awesome cat video (before noon ET July 15, 2013) at www.TheFriskies.com for a chance at $25,000 in case prizes! And while it’s true that “The Friskies” 2013 is a video contest, it also benefits rescue and shelter cats across the country. Friskies is helping 20 rescue organizations that dedicate their energies to finding loving, happy homes for cats across the nation – with lots of cat food! Specifically, Friskies is donating more than 250,000 cans of cat food to 20 partner animal rescue organizations. Each organization will receive a minimum of 7,500 cans and will have the opportunity to increase this donation (up to an additional 10,000 cans per charity) based on their overall participation. We think that is can-tastic!
Friskies says: “But that’s not all, we also need your help! Look for special Friskies® messages on the Friskies Facebook and Twitter that will offer opportunities for our fans to TRIGGER an additional donation of 500 cans per charity (up to 50,000 cans total). Your support makes a real, living, purring difference. Thank you. Every cat counts.”
The Healing Power of Pets Dr. Marty Becker
Bonding with a pet may be more beneficial than you think. Here are just some of the amazing ways pets make our lives better! Have you ever noticed that you feel better when you spend time with pets? At Purina’s Better with Pets Summit in New York City, Dr. Marty Becker, who you may know from Good Morning America and The Dr. Oz Show, spoke about the ways in which companion dogs and cats can have a positive impact on our health — both physically and emotionally.”From our hearts to our heads, from cradle to grave, pets are helping us live happier, healthier, and fuller lives,” said Becker. Here are just some of the ways that our companion dogs and cats help us each day.
Pets Encourage Physical Activity
It’s a given that having a pet can take you out of a sedentary lifestyle and encourage you to get out of the house. Dogs need to go outside for walks. Cats need exercise and playtime.
Friends can provide support when starting up an exercise routine, but nothing compares to the encouragement of a pet. “If you ever try to weasel out of exercising with your dog, there is going to be heck to pay,” said Becker.
Pets Encourage Social Interaction
Pets are social magnets. According to Becker, pets are the “cure for the common cold shoulder.”
Imagine taking a walk on crowded city streets. No one talks to you or even seems to notice your presence. Now imagine taking an adorable puppy down those same streets. You’ll get more people making comments, asking you questions, or stopping to talk to you than you ever would if you were walking alone.
Pets Reduce Stress
According to Becker, just by touching our pets we feel a surge of prolactin and oxytocin, hormones that can help us feel better. These same hormones can lower blood pressure and reduce stress. Having a pet can elevate serotonin and dopamine — hormones that lift depression — as well.
Our animals often know when we need them, too. Pets tend to draw near when you’re feeling blue to provide emotional support. And pets get the same benefits from petting. Becker calls this the “love loop.”
Pets Improve Health
Additionally, Becker notes that if you have a dog, you’re five times more likely to be alive a year after a heart attack. If you have a cat, you’re 40 percent less likely to suffer from a heart attack or stroke in the first place. Pets lower cholesterol, they mitigate migraines, and they act as health monitors for Parkinson’s disease and diabetic seizures. Research has even begun on some dogs who have the amazing ability to detect cancer.
Becker also notes that children who have a pet growing up are less likely to develop allergies, asthma, and eczema.
Simply put, our companion dogs and cats help us live healthier, happier lives. They provide unconditional love and ask for relatively little in return.
How amazing is that?
What are the Benefits of Microchips and How Do They Work?
One of a pet owners greatest fears is getting separated from their pet. Now, many shelters and veterinarians are installing identification chips on pets. It’s a hi-tech way to resolve the separation anxiety of losing a pet.
A microchip implant is a tiny integrated circuit placed under the skin of a dog or cat. The chip emits passive radio frequencies that can be identified by a scanner at a shelter where a lost pet is taken. Think of it as an invisible electronic identification tag.
Early compatibility issues between different kinds of scanners and chips have mostly been resolved. There’s now a universal scanner that reads all brands of chips. They’re helping to get missing cats and dogs back in the grateful arms of their owners.
What are Some of the Organized Sport Activities I Can Enjoy With My Dog?
When your puppy wants to play, he probably won’t try to play it cool. Instead, he’ll make a strong play for your attention by bowing or pawing the air.
The play-bow is the most common way that a dog invites a person or another pup to play. With his ears alert and tail wagging, a dog will stick his rear in the air while lowering his front end and stretching out his front paws. The gesture shows submissiveness, and communicates to other dogs that any nipping or chasing that come next are intended in the spirit of fun. During the play bow, a dog’s face will be relaxed and his lips loose – his teeth will not be bared in aggression. Sometimes a playful pup will also bark, as if to say in doggie-speak, “hey, come join me in a game!”
What Breeds Tend to be Well-Suited to Apartment Life?
You might automatically assume that a Great Dane won’t fare well in a city apartment. But if you’re choosing a breed to live with you in a small space, you’ll need to consider more than size. The amount a dog barks and its energy level are often even more important.
For example, quiet breeds such as the Samoyed or the English Bulldog might make great choices, while Border Collies and Dalmatians could require more exercise than you’re able to give them.
But remember—no matter what breed you choose, if you plan to keep a dog in a city apartment, you’ll need to take him for a lot of walks and give him plenty of mental stimulation.
We are thankful for…
What is your pet thankful for? We are thankful for so many things, including animal lovers and adopters like you… and Petcentric! For every new like of their Facebook page www.facebook.com/PetcentricbyPurina they’ll give thanks to rescues and shelters by donating $1 to Adopt-a-Pet.com – up to $50,000! Join the growing community of pet lovers and help share the giving spirit of the season!
Traveling across the Country – Just a Man and His Dog!
Imagine taking off, just you and your canine best friend, on a great adventure across the country. That’s exactly what a blogger named Will and his dog Mr. Eko are doing. With the support of petcentric.com, they’ve set out on the road looking for adventure and trying to find the best pet-friendly destinations the country has to offer. Thanks to their blog, you can be right there with them…virtually, at least. You can suggest destinations for Will and Mr. Eko, and you might even get ideas for trips you and YOUR dog can take together! What a fun project! Check it out at www.markingourterritory.com.
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Ways to help animals in need over the holidays
Our friends over at Petcentric.com have some great ideas of ways you can help animals in need over the holidays! The holiday season can be a wonderful time when we all come together with family and friends, and focus on fellowship and service to others including abandoned animals in our communities. Many people take vacation around the holidays leaving animal shelters and rescue facilities understaffed. This is a wonderful time to volunteer your labor and skills to help animals in need. While you might not have the time the rest of the year, you can ask your local shelter if they need help with feeding, exercising or cleaning kennels — especially on the holiday days. If you have a large vehicle like an SUV or van, you might even be able to assist in the transport of animals. If the shelter is closed to the public or requires you be a trained volunteer to help on-site, you can offer to launder bedding, make fundraising calls, or organize adoption events at local businesses.
Photos & Videos. Animal shelters are often in need of a lot of professional services that they cannot afford to pay for. If you have experience photographing animals or making family videos, you can offer your one-time (or more!) service to photograph their animals for listing on adoption websites and promotional materials. Off-site adoption events are a great place to do this, as the shelter will have arranged for staff and volunteers to handle the pets, and you can focus on photographing and videoing them.
You can register on Adopt-a-Pet.com as a volunteer to be contacted by your local rescue, or search Volunteer Opportunities posted by your local shelters and rescues here:
www.adoptapet.com/get-involved
Donate Items or Cash. Shelters and non-profit rescues are always in need of donations, both of money and essential items. Cash is always welcome and helpful! You can see if your local shelters and rescue have included a link to their donation page or Paypal by searching for them on Adopt-a-Pet.com here: www.adoptapet.com/animal-shelters –click on the shelter name, then look on the right for their “Donate to our Shelter” or “Donate to our Rescue Group” link, or their website link.
Donations of both new and used items are also often appreciated. Ask your shelter if they have a wish list. Shelters often can use donated food and treats, used kennels or crates that you no longer need, newspapers, old blankets, sheets, towels, and washable dog beds.
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