Why do people Dress their animals?

photo by: http://goo.gl/A31CK

Have you ever wondered why people put little shirts on their dogs? It's because people enjoy giving human like characteristics to non human being things. This is called anthropomorphism, which means the attribution of human characteristics or behavior to a god, animal, or object. According to Healthland, this is what some colleagues had to say:
 “… from pets that can seem considerate and caring, to gods that have goals and plans for one’s life, to computers than can seem to have minds of their own. People show an impressive capacity to create humanlike agents—a kind of inferential reproduction—out of those that are clearly nonhuman… People ask invisible gods for forgiveness, talk to their plants, kiss dice to persuade a profitable roll, name their cars, curse at unresponsive computers, outfit their dogs with unnecessary sweaters, and consider financial markets to be “anxious” at one moment and “delirious” the next.”



I was really surprised to find how people create human like agents. Since I found the root of why this happens, I decided to find out just how far things really go.

Dressing up your pet is definitely cute, but not for the price paid! The RSPCA is threatening legal action for those who dress their pets. If anything is harming the animal’s welfare, prosecution is possible. This includes things such as boots, trousers, and hoodies. It’s good to groom your dog, but don’t overdo things. Remember this when dressing your animal. 

The pros and cons of Pitbulls

Pittbull, compliments of:http://sunspotstudio.com/wp-
content/uploads/2012/02/pitbull5.jpg

There are many views about the notorious Pitbull. They’re natural born killers. They are fighting dogs. They bite everyone they see. They’re loving animals. They’re just big babies, etc. Everyone has their own point of view about these dogs. Recently, I’ve been researching the different views of these canines. Here are my results:

According to Pitbulls on the web, “Much of a dog's temperament relates to its breed history and genetic inheritance.” Most people seem to think that it’s the genes in the dog that makes it temperamental. I have to agree. There are poodles, beagles, and chihuahuas out there that are mean. I also think it depends on the people that raise them. Dogs are the same as humans in this way. If you grow up seeing violence as a good thing, you’re going to continue to see it as a good thing. Once it’s planted in your brain, it tends to stay there.

On the other hand, Pitbulls have one of the strongest bites out there.
As greenspun reports:

“They have the strongest bite-grip of ALL dog breeds, as well as ANY mammal in the animal kingdom. They have an up-front generated bite strength (capacity) of anywhere between 2,000 PSI - 2,600 PSI. I have heard reports of these numbers even hitting the 3,000's in provocation sustained tests using a PSI measuring sleeve. Even 2,000 PSI can crush a human skull, very easily. Pits have a propensity towards aggression, as they were originally bred to fight bulls and bears.”

These dogs are clearly nothing to play with. One little snap could easily end a persons life.

So how do you decide if you want one? Research. Make sure you know everything about these dogs. If don’t have the time to train these loving beasts, then I recommend not getting one. Never judge a book by it’s cover. Remember, it’s all in the genes!

An interview with my uncle:

For this blog, I chose to interview my uncle. I asked him questions about his experience with his dog. I wanted to know how his experience has been with raising the dog since he was a puppy.

Me: What kind of dog do you have and how old is he?

Uncle: I have a Miniature Pincher/Beagle named Sampson. He’s about three years old.

Me: How did you get him? Was it one of those cases where he was sitting on your doorstep?

Uncle: Actually, I got him from a friend in South Carolina. I wanted a dog just like my friend had. He told me that there was one just like it at the shelter. I was there picking little Sampson up the next day.

Me: That’s so cute! Were there any difficulties you faced while he was a puppy?

Uncle: Actually, yes. I had to train him not to use the bathroom in the house. I walked him on a chain outside periodically. Eventually, he started coming to me and wagging his tail when he needed to go out. He actually wasn’t a hard dog to train. He listens very well.

Me: Is there anything unusual about Sampson? Does he ever bite or growl?

Uncle: He loves to play. He will chase anyone round the house. He’s always happy. He loves girls. He’s not so crazy about guys though. I’m not sure why. He’s real cautious around men. He’s never bit anyone. He has attacked another dog before. I don’t let him around any dogs anymore. Other than that, he’s a good dog.

Me: I’m happy you found a good dog. Is there anything you would change about Sampson?

Uncle: Not at all. He’s the best dog anyone could ever ask for.

Me: That’s good. Thank you for the time you’ve put into this. I really appreciate it.

Uncle: Any time!

I found some good training techniques with this interview. I’m excited to get a puppy of my own one day. I think all that training would be time consuming, yet worth it. 

Do's and Don'ts of Wildlife Photography

Cat, found at:http://goo.gl/qBniS

Elephant, found at:http://goo.gl/qBniS

There are many things to know when photographing an animal. It’s not just an easy snap of a camera. This is a long process that involves lots of time, thinking, and patience. Here are a few do’s and don’ts to remember when snapping a picture of your favorite animal:

Do: Bring backup lenses and plenty of extra material. No one wants to be in the midst of a shoot and have something break. It’s always good to have an extra set of everything you need available.

Do: Be aware of the weather! You should always be prepared for even the nastiest kinds of weather. Bring things such as a poncho, shorts, tank top, pants, and a hefty jacket. A hat wouldn’t be a terrible idea. Hats can block out the sun and make things easier to see up close. Be prepared for the kinds of shots you’ll get in late afternoon or early morning. You may need tents or certain types of shading to capture just the right shots.

Don’t: Be afraid to research the place you’ll be shooting at. You need to be aware of your surroundings. Make sure you’re prepared with bug spray. You never know what kind of creatures you’ll be around!

Don’t: Do not EVER get too close to wild animals. There have been several times where animals attacked without the slightest warning. Be sure to research the animal and its signs of fear. Also, research how to approach the animal to make sure you don’t provoke it. There are always stories about photographers getting mauled by bears, lions, etc.

As long as you follow these tips, you should come out with some pretty safe results and some amazing pictures. Remember, always be prepared!

How to Adopt a Pet

Puppy, 7 January 2009 , found at :
http://goo.gl/wGdJH

If your family is looking for ways to adopt a pet, you’re at the right place! There are many possibilities when choosing pets. Here’s a list of things to check for when you decide to adopt:

1. Choose a pet that fits your lifestyle. 
Don’t decide to get a dog if you’re only home for two days a week. Look into the animals needs first. As mentioned in the article How to:Adopt a pet, researching animals can help a lot in this situation. Choose a pet that fits well in your house. Example: If you happen to have a small apartment, a cat would be a good choice. Cats are very independent animals that do not require too much space.

2. Visit shelters in your area.
It’s a great idea to set aside time for a shelter. This gives you time to choose your animal wisely.

3. Buy supplies. 
 This is your time to go out and spend money on your new pet! Don’t forget the necessities that your animal needs. This is another good time for research. Find and buy whatever your pet needs to survive. Toys aren’t a necessity. Although, they will make your pet more active, playful, and fun. Don’t forget that your pet will need more than just love to survive. This includes annual vet check-ups. After a while, this can become expensive. Be sure that you’re 100% prepared to fully provide for your animal.

After you’ve completed the steps above, it’s time to bring your warm, furry, friend home!

Feline Obesity

Meow, April 19th, 2012, found at: http://goo.gl/LvSjg

Meow is a 40 lb., two year old, white tabby cat that’s full of love. His previous owner was eighty seven years old. She could no longer take care of him. In Albuquerque, New Mexico, Meow is at the Santa Fe animal shelter. He is on a special diet until he loses some weight. Meow is currently with a foster family to help him lose weight so he can be put up for adoption. 

Meow may be huge, but he has not quite set the record! Susan Montoya Bryan has recorded this in her article:

“That record belongs to Himmy, a tabby from Australia that weighed almost 47 pounds. The shelter said Guinness World Records has since stopped accepting applications for the record over concerns it would encourage people to overfeed their animals. In Meow's case, the shelter is awaiting blood test results to make sure he doesn't have any additional health problems.”

Although it may seem quite adorable, having an overweight animal is extremely dangerous. A normal sized cat should typically weigh between 7-12 lbs. Animal obesity is not something to joke around with. Animals and humans have the same health risks for obesity. There is much more pressure on the heart and joints. The Association for pet Obesity Prevention stated that "50 million US Cats are estimated to be Overweight or Obese." There are many diseases that come with obesity, such as: Cardiovascular disease, Diabetes, Hepatic lipidosis, and Cystitis. After a cat gets so big, it becomes harder for he/she to exercise like they should.

If you're cat is over 12 lbs, you may need to take it to the vet. You can never be too safe when it comes to your animal.

Animal Cruelty (PETA)

Waka Flocka, 2012
Found at: http://goo.gl/wydFy

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, is one of  the world's largest organizations for animal rights. As stated in the article,"Our Mission Statement," “PETA works through public education, cruelty investigations, research, animal rescue, legislation, special events, celebrity involvement, and protest campaigns”;this organization will work through anything for the protection of animals.

Elizabeth Carlisle of the Petland animal store of  Akron, Ohio, was caught  abusing animals by a picture uploaded to Facebook. The caption of the photo stated: '"[T]he manager took the pic for me. [S]he reminded me that there were people outside as [I] was swearing at them to just hurry up and die but then she was so kind as to take this picture.'”This picture contained Elizabeth Carlisle holding two dead, drowned, bunnies by the skin of their necks. 


What really makes me sick is the fact that this woman had a smile on her face.  How evil can one person really be? Employees at animal stores are supposed to take care of animals until  they find a home. Employees are not supposed to torture a harmless animal for no reason. This woman has clearly picked the wrong career.

Alisa Mullins wrote an updated article on the situation.  Elizabeth Carlisle was charged with animal cruelty and the Petland store was shut down. According to the article, the store had an enormous amount of cleaning to do.

PETA has a two week internship in Washington D.C . From the reviews of previous interns, everyone who has went, has enjoyed it. I hope readers really look into this. You never know what happens to animals behind closed doors. Stay updated and stand your ground if you strongly agree. There are ways to join PETA or even comment on the organization's website. If you’d like more information on PETA, there are some links posted below.

PETA's official site

Blog

Internship