Westminster Dog show competitions

The first Westminster show took place on May 8, 1877, making it second only to the Kentucky Derby, in terms of continuously held sporting events in the United States. (Both events were held despite the Great Depression, World War, and pandemic years.) The show originated as a show for gun dogs, primarily Setters and Pointers, initiated by a group of hunters who met regularly at the Westminster Hotel at Irving Place and Sixteenth Street in Manhattan.[2] They decided to create a kennel club called the Westminster Kennel Club specifically to hold a dog show. The prizes for these first shows included such items as pearl-handled pistols, which were of use to the hunters and terriermen who worked these dogs in the field. Source:  https://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/

Responsible Dog Ownership

With all the companionship and love that our dogs give so freely, it's hard to imagine that some owners just don't take responsibility for their dogs. But it's true. Millions of dogs—healthy dogs—are euthanized every year. Whether through owner neglect or owner ignorance, millions of healthy dogs will endure the same fate this year. So what's a responsible dog owner to do? The best thing you can do, as a dog owner, is to ensure that your dog doesn't become a statistic, and you do that through responsible pet ownership.  Welcoming a new dog into your house means taking on additional long-term responsibility. Many new dog owners find something cute or romantic about bringing that puppy in the window home until they realize that there's a modicum of work involved in caring for that cute, adorable little face, and a price to pay for those wet, slobbering kisses. You wouldn't expect to return a baby.

Dogs in the Ancient World

Dogs have been a part of the history of human beings since before the written word. The ancient temple of Gobekli-Tepe in Turkey, dated to at least 12,000 years BCE, has provided archaeologists with evidence of domesticated dogs in the Middle East corresponding to the earliest evidence of domestication, the Natufian Grave, (c. 12,000 BCE) discovered in Ein Mallaha, Israel, in which an old man was buried with a puppy. In many cultures throughout the ancient world, dogs figured prominently and, largely, were regarded in much the same way that they are today. Dogs were seen as faithful companions, hunters, guardians, and as a treasured part of the family. 
(Source.  by Joshua J. Mark, published on 21 June 2014).

Pets were a rarity in the medieval world

Pets were a rarity in the medieval world – people in the Middle Ages did keep domestic animals like dogs and cats, but most of them served a purpose. Dogs would be used to guard homes or assist in the hunt, while cats were needed to catch mice and other vermin. Still, the relationship between these animals and their keepers was often an affectionate one.  Source: Medievalists.net. All rights reserved.

Unique dogs in the world

Have you ever wondered if you have seen all the unique dogs in the world? If so, unique dog breeds - Bing has found them for you.

Westminster 2014 Dog Show

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is a two-day, all-breed benched conformation show that takes place at Madison Square Garden in New York City every year. The first Westminster show was held in 1877. Source-Westminsterkennelclub.org.

Cutiest puppies

Ms Chester wants to share pictures from a friend of hers. Enjoy!!!

Californians against Sexual Exploitation

Today is a day of freedom for most people in the United States.  However, there is a growing problem of children, girls and boys, being exploited by human traffickers.  Please be aware and do your part to get rid of this plague on our children, young adults and adults.  http://CASEAct.org.  Please check with your state representatives to find out if there are laws in your state to battle this problem.

Thanks, and Happy 4th of July
Ms. Chester

Ways to Pamper Pets

Families rarely take pets on vacation because some hotels do not allow pets to enter the premises. For pet owners who don't want to board their pet overnight or as long as a week, the idea of leaving their pet at a pet resort is a great why of knowing their pet will receive the best of care and then some.   Pets love getting coats trimmed in a resort setting. The finest shampoo and conditionersare applied to bring out the shiny features of the coat and help keep tangling down to a minimum. Pets can luxuriate in warmed whirlpool spas that feature sea salt sprays that make skin much healthier.  Animals are rarely caged while staying at a pet resort. Leashes and muzzles are required at most locations because some tenants have natural aggression built into their breed and pet owners will provide these warnings when they are dropped off. Pets are free to run in large gated areas that have plenty of plants and trees. Pets are free to dig holes in certain areas of the pet resort and some are given bones for just this purpose.

The pet resort staff will always have time available to play games with pets. When owners come to pick pets up, they might not recognize them for a minute. The exercise programs might have toned muscles so well that the animal will display more vigor than at any other point in their life. Some pet owners will use pet resorts as a babysitting service when they go to work. Puppies require a lot of care during the day and many pet owners are able to work more efficiently when they do not have to worries about the little ones care.

Why not Try Pet Water Fountain?

If you are tired of pet water bowls, there is another option you can consider in providing water to drink for your pet. An innovation that pet owners should know is the introduction of a Drinkwell Platinum Pet Fountainwhich is different from the ordinary water bowls that anyone is familiar with as this one is usually installed like a faucet. It is quite similar to a faucet, but is intended for your pet's use. This is deemed beneficial for your pet as no stagnant water would remain. If you would be away, there is also no need to worry about empty water bowls as your pet could just drink from the fountain whenever he wants to. The features of pet water also differ. Some offer automatic sensor that detect the presence of your pet. If you have a dog, for instance, the pet water fountain would automatically give out water when your dog is in front of it within a three-meter distance or less.

In using pet water fountain, you are assured that your pet would get residue-free and safe water as the water is purified before reaching the mouth of your pet. Most pet water bowls circulate water content from a designated bowl using a pipe system. Filtering and purifying system is also offered by certain pet water fountain manufacturers.  Pet water fountains come in different designs and features. Your choice would mainly depend on your preference and budget. Pet water fountains are very ideal for dogs and cats, but could be used for other pets as well.  If you are wondering how your pet would learn how to use this, it would only require your attention and time. You need to train your pet on how to use the pet water fountain, so your pet would not always depend on your presence. Think that you are just teaching him how to shake hands just like how you did it when your pet is still young. It is yet another trick that could make you prouder of your pet.

Save your pet from being too thirsty by installing a pet water fountain at your home. It is ideal to install this in the garden so you would not have problems on the water that comes out from the system. This is really of great help both to the pet and the pet owner. The pet owner does not need to fill a water bowl every time the pet seeks for water. Try pet water fountain now and provide that convenience that your pet deserves! Visit both physical and virtual stores where you can find pet water fountains. You would surely end up overwhelmed on the number of choices you would have!

What rhymes with dog?

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Pet Therapy - Benefits

Research has shown that heart attack victims who have pets live longer. Even watching a tank full of tropical fish may lower blood pressure, at least temporarily. A study of patients hospitalized in coronary care units for angina or heart attack found that those who owned pets were more likely to be alive a year later than those who did not. The study found that only 6 percent of patients who owned pets died within one year compared with 28 percent of those who did not own pets. The therapeutic use of pets as companions has gained increasing attention in recent years for a wide variety of patients - people with AIDS or cancer, the elderly, and the mentally ill.