Teaching Children to Respect Animals Today – Contribution from freelance writer Jenny Holt

Take It Outdoors to Bond Spiritually With Your Pet

Use nature to connect spiritually with your pet and increase the tight bond the two of you already share. When you own a pet, you know there is a spiritual side that he or she uses to express emotions and communicate with you in his or her unique style.

Fostering that connection helps create a stronger spiritual bond with your pet, and many people desire this connection. Using nature for spiritual connection is proven to improve health and increase happiness in both humans and pets.

Begin With a Walk and Discover a New World

Most dog breeds love going for walks with their human. There are so many new smells to investigate, and the exercise is great for both of you. Choose a path that lets you meander through nature, even if it is only a wooded path through a park. The refreshing air and rejuvenating flora will bring you and your dog closer. If you are more of a cat person, use the cat’s natural outdoor time to build a spiritual connection. Discover where she goes by going outside with her. Get on the ground and check out her favorite bed in the flowers, or pet her while she relaxes in the sun. You’ll have a chance to connect with your cat’s natural instincts and reestablish yourself as a part of her family.

Take Them Out to Pasture

Take larger pets, such as horses (if you happen to have one), out to pasture for some training. Removing the animal from the stable for training gives him more space to move. He will show you he appreciates the time outdoors and bond with you through the training exercises. The human and pet connection will strengthen while you’re outside in the open air, working with the horse. Simply relaxing outdoors with a pet will help solidify the bond between you. Pets love to be by our side, and allowing her to be there with you will make her feel that you will always be there for her. Sit outside in the shade, talking to your pet, or just staying quiet. The absence of distractions and the serenity of the outdoors will help bring you closer to your pet.

Take Him With You

If possible, take your pet with you when you leave the house. When you follow standard guidelines for pets in the car and heat, your pet can go almost everywhere with you. Some stores allow leashed pets, so find out which ones will allow your friend. Getting out and about with your pet brings you closer as companions, and reaffirms the spirit that you are there for each other. Having a pet means having a best friend through every circumstance. Spend as much time together to solidify this bond.

 

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Why Are Cat’s So Afraid Of Water? – Guest post by Amber Kingsley

We’ve all been fed so many “old wives tales” over the years, especially when it comes to cats. Some are bizarrely superstitious, like black cats are bad luck, or even weirder, that they steal the breath away from newborn infants and babies. Or how about the “fact” that they have nine lives or always land on their feet. But one of the better known cat-associated tales is that they hate water.

While it’s true many breeds of cats are not necessarily water-friendly, there are many that do enjoy going for a swim, especially in hot and arid living environments. For example, in the wild kingdom, you’ll often see tigers enjoying a swim, even preying on one of their favorite foods – fish. But on the other hand, lions and leopards will usually avoid rivers and streams to steer clear of some of the very few predators that pose a potential risk to them, like crocodiles.

DEEPER THAN DOMESTIC

Since our more domesticated and docile kitties are considered distant descendants of these big cats, it wouldn’t be fair to say that ALL felines despise water or that cats shouldn’t be leary of H₂O as an instinctual trait. Let’s delve deeper into this dilemma and see what we find underneath these murky waters.

Animal Planet tells us an irrational fear that some domesticated cats have about water may have  come from their masters. Many humans that have been shielding them from the elements over the centuries since we have adopted them as our pets. We’ve been protecting them from heavy rainstorms and other exposure to these types of wet experiences, and so it’s believed they never accepted some of Mother Nature’s fury or learned to evolve in order to deal with it.

 

HUMAN INTERVENTION

Further water annoyance problems come from people who use water as a punishment for cats that may claw furniture or display other destructive behaviors and they squirt them with this liquid as a non-violent deterrent. Perhaps they were given a forced bathing experience or got caught outside during a torrential downpour when they were more accustomed to being a lap cat.

Regardless of the nature of this exposure, they may have been dealt a raw deal when it comes to playing in the water. But cats, curious by nature, can wind up in desperate need of a bath and as their masters, we’re the ones laiden with this responsibility. Whether they wound up in a sticky situation or came in contact with a smelly critter like a skunk, we need to respond with appropriate cleanup measures that require soap and water.

WATER TORTURE OR TREAT?

Despite some of them having an aversion to being completely immersed in water, many cats find that hypnotising “drip-drip-drip” of a faucet fascinating and some enjoy laying in empty, cool sinks during hotter months. Either way, cats still need water to survive, just like any other animal and are not necessarily scared of getting wet.

Unlike dogs, cats don’t really need much time in the bathtub due to their ritualistic grooming routines, but to save the drama for mama, we can help them overcome their fear if we start young. Owners can reassure them that water isn’t necessarily a trauma when they’re still youngsters. Start them out when they’re kittens and try introducing them by rubbing a soothing, warm washcloth other them.

Introduce them into temperature-appropriate water temperatures and refrain from dunking them completely until they begin to become accustomed to the wetness. While they may take to a litter box almost immediately, getting them used to being wet is easier when they’re just kittens. By introducing your cat to water at a younger age, you could help them to be more tolerate in the future.

 

Article written by Amber Kingsley

 

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5 Quick Tips on How to Enjoy a Good Run with Your Dog

Humans and their canine companions need their daily dose of exercise to be healthy and fit. It’s common knowledge and necessary to walk your dog at least once if not twice a day because canines are storehouses of excess energy and they need the stimulus that the sights, scents, and sounds which the outdoors can provide.

When it comes to physical activities, there are a number of things that you can do with your furry workout buddy like running, hiking, swimming, and biking. The simplest and probably one of the best things to do is to run with your canine companion.

 

Why Running?

It’s a fact that our modern lifestyle has rendered most humans and even their pets obese or prone to obesity. Weight issues are dragging us and our canine friends down. Running in the outdoors in a park or by the lake or in the countryside with fresh air hitting the face and toning every muscle in the body is not just the better way to get in shape and burn the excess fat but also an enjoyable one to spend quality playtime with your pet.

So, get ready to don those running shoes and do give running with your dog a try. But before you run, it’s important to know what to expect, how to train your pooch and enjoy the run with each other.

1. Check with your pet’s vet: It is important to ascertain whether your dog is fit to run regularly. Consult your vet on what’s safe and healthy for your dog when you run with him, appropriate dietary recommendations, warm up tips, and how early you can start them on running training. It’s important not to start when your pooch is very young, because the hard/ asphalt surfaces and running tracks in urban areas may not be conducive to the growth of the dog’s bones and joints. And a countryside or a dirt trail may not be exactly safe for your pup.

2. Start slowly and steadily – Don’t forget the warmups: When you rush your dog into running too soon, then you expose your pet to the risk of injuries. Never skip the warmups, because they help in flexing the muscles. Begin with a light jog and graduate steadily into running at a comfortable pace.

3. Take short breaks: It’s important to carry water bottles to give yourself and your dog adequate water breaks. If you combine some playing and fetching activities, both of you will enjoy the breaks and this could enthuse your canine partner into running.

4. Train your dog to follow some basic commands: It is imperative that you teach your dog some basic commands like ‘sit’, ‘stay’, ‘stop’, ‘leave it’ etc., and see to it that you train them to be disciplined and follow your instructions completely. If you are finding it difficult to train, then consult a professional trainer to help you out.

5. Try getting a hands-free dog leash: A hands-free dog leash spells convenience and independence. These leashes are specially designed to run and walk your dog comfortably without having to tug on a leash all the time. It safer and helps your dog stay connected to you while enjoying a good run. It helps maintain balance and prevents toppling over.

Observe your dog and take cues, do not overlook any warning signs from your pet to ensure that your dog is enjoying the run as much as you do. Watch out for their paws, take adequate protection against ticks, and keep a bowl of water ready to clean the paws once you both are back from running. Have fun!

Author Bio

This post was contributed by Pete Decker, the Lead Editor at The Goody Pet. Pete loves to share his passion for pets through snippets of interesting and helpful information. You can find more of Pete at his website, Twitteror Facebook.

 

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