Polar Bear

The Polar Bear was playing hide and seek with us when we visited Pittsburgh Zoo this year.  My daughter wanted to see it but he was hiding.  While waiting for the Polar bear to come out, I took a picture of my daughter  outside.

 There he is relaxing.  He didn't want to entertain guests that day.

 Another  photo opp inside the  PPG and Aquarium.

Thanks to the Zoo, we are able to see this beautiful animals that we don't normally see everyday.
Shadow Shots

The Basics Of Training Any Dog

Any dog owner will know that your dog is your best friend. They are your partner in crime and loyal companion. Training your pet dog can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. You slowly learn to communicate with your furry critter and your relationship grows stronger. Training is the key to a happy, well behaved dog and it is important to start early in their life.

The earlier they adopt the basics of training, the easier your life will be. Dogs are creatures of habit, and the sooner they learn, the better. It is much harder to teach them later on in life. There is one important thing you need to understand before we begin. It is a lesson we learnt from dog expert Sheila Harper. You need to understand that training your dog is not about dominating it. It is about communicating. Think of yourself as a friend, not as a commander.

Firstly, it is important to choose a dog that suits your lifestyle. If your little one (or big one) fits your life, they will be much happier and easier to train. For example, if you choose a large, energetic dog, it won’t be happy in small, tower block apartment. It will get restless and grow angry. The first step to training a dog is making sure that they are happy and respect you. Each breed has its own personality and temperament too. Some are easier to train than others. If you’re a newbie at training, choose a Labrador or a German Shepherd.

Training a dog isn’t something that just happens. They won’t instinctively start to sit, or follow you. These skills must be taught. This means setting aside a small portion of time every day to teach them. The key to good training is repetition and frequency. The basics can be taught during their daily routine. Practice the heel command every morning on their walk. Practice the sit command every night when they go to bed. Keep a routine that they can understand.

Make sure that everyone in the family understands the training techniques and goals. Children, in particular, can get carried away when the big fur ball is bouncing around! Make sure they know that treats are only to be used as rewards. Make sure they know to use the dog’s correct name and how to say the basic commands. If you have family round, make sure they know when they can feed the dog and when they can’t. Simple disruptions to routine can play havoc with their training.

Always remember to reward success. Most animals don’t respond well to negative reinforcement. This is especially true in rescue dogs. Positive rewards are how they learn. Even if they are having a hard time learning a new trick, end the session with something they can do. They’ll feel like they have accomplished something and they’ll get a treat. They’ll look forward to the next training session.

Training is a great way to strengthen the bond and relationship with your animal. Always treat your dog with respect, even if they are struggling with a command. They will get it eventually!

Black Bear

The kids wanted to see the black bear  at the Pittsburgh Zoo but when we went there, he was hiding r his dungeon.  After five minutes or so, he finally came out but he  gave us a surprise lol.  He was being naughty that day.

 But he did showed us his face after he or she has  urinated.

 I fell bad for  this guy, he is so big but the place he was roaming around is very small.

 No wonder he looked so unhappy and even showed us his  unhappiness  by peeing.

As much as I feel bad for those animals in the zoo, I always look in the bright side that without them at the zoo, mist of us won't see these animals  on a regular basis.

Should You Re-Home a Rescue Dog or Adopt a Puppy?

With rescue centers full to overflowing with unwanted dogs, it can seem selfish buying a new puppy when there’re so many deserving characters just waiting for a home. With a 1001 things to consider when choosing your next best friend, it can be heartbreaking and confusing deliberating over that one question. Rescue dog or puppy?

There are advantages to both, and the choice you make is a reflection on your lifestyle and the type of commitment you can make. An older dog might not need as much training as a puppy and is likely to have already been vaccinated and ssterilized so there is a chance to save on these initial expenses. Older dogs also don’t need as much sleep as puppies and can walk much further distances, so if you have children or an active lifestyle, they are more likely to fit in straight away.

Of course, you will only get an older dog because another family no longer want it. Rehoming a friend’s dog, that you already know and who already knows you, is the perfect situation. You will know the level of training it has undergone so far, it’s temperament and why your friends can’t keep it anymore. If they are moving away or can’t afford to keep the dog, then taking him on is a fantastic way to secure yourself a loving, well trained pooch.

The other choice for selection an older dog is to rehome an animal from a rescue home or pound. Dog’s from rescue homes can be a bit hit and miss. You have no idea of the type of background the animal has, it’s temperament and the amount of training it has undertaken. You also don’t know why someone has chosen to give him up, merely that they have. Of course, people give up dogs for all kinds of reasons, and the fact that they need re-homing might not be a reflection on the animal itself. If the previous owner has died, moved overseas or can no longer afford to keep the dog, then chances are you will hit the jackpot and end up with a ready-made and brilliant family pet.

On the other hand, some of these dogs will have been mistreated or given up due to flaws in their character. Spending a few hours with a dog in a rescue home such as K9 Stud, is no guarantee of how well it will behave around children, your home or other pets. For this reason, you need to ensure you have the time to invest in rehabilitating a rescue dog before you adopt one. Even if you think your new dog is perfect, he might have some hidden demons that need dealing with, and you need to be able to tackle them.

A puppy has the advantage of a clean slate. He knows what you teach him and hasn’t been subjected to any abuse. He is also a baby who will learn through trial and error so make sure you are prepared to deal with that error. If you have just finished an expensive home remodel or have very young children, now might not be the best time to get a puppy. Even the easiest of puppies require a significant investment in time and are liable to chew the odd shoe, door or sofa corner, regardless of how much it cost.

Whether you opt for an adult or adolescent dog or a puppy, you need to be aware of just what a commitment it is. This animal is likely to live at least ten years and will be dependent on you for all aspects of his health and welfare. You need to be confident that you can afford him for the length of his life, give him the time that he needs and a lifestyle that is conducive to both his happiness and yours. If you can provide these things then you will be rewarded with unwavering love and devotion, regardless of whether you re-homed him or adopted him as a puppy.

The Kois and the Duck

I love to watch animals co-exist in one  place  just fine, they get along so well that makes me   think sometimes, why can't people do that?  How come we have so many  differences that we can't stand each other sometimes.  I admire animals because no matter what color or what kind they are, they try to co-exist and get a long.  If the human race would be just like them, the world is a better place to live in..

Anyway, these photos were taken at Pittsburgh Zoo.  I love looking at the duck just enjoying his time while the Koi fish  have their own wonderful time swimming.  So relaxing to watch  than watching people rioting or  fighting, doesn't it?

Stylish Accessories For Pets And Owners

Owning a pet is one of the most rewarding experiences. Animals enrich our lives in so many ways and often end up being a loyal part of your family. We love to care for our pets and to ensure that they have the best of everything, from winter coats to keep them warm, to soft bedding and the best riding and walking accessories.

During the winter months, it is important to keep our pets safe and warm. You may choose to bring your guinea pig or rabbit in from the cold and set them up a warm cage in the house, or go out and buy new blankets and saddles for your horse.

Don’t forget to update your own accessories for winter though! It is just as important to make sure that your riding equipment or dog walking gear is up to date. You need to stay dry and warm and take care of yourself, in order to take care of your animal.

A few stylish ways to update any pet owner’s accessories can be found below.

If you are new to dog ownership then, you may have only just thought about the correct accessories for your new best friend. Make sure that you get some for yourself as well. A good waterproof and windproof coat is essential for those cold and rainy days walking your dog in the park. You will also need some good running shoes if you want to take your dog out to exercise with you.

If you are a passionate horse owner, then consider heading to your local One Stop Equine Shop and making a list of all the essentials you will need for yourself and your horse. Consider some warm winter riding clothing for yourself and a new pair of riding boots and riding gloves. There is a range of stylish saddle bags that will look great with your new accessories.

If you are a small pet owner then, you could think about updating their outdoor housing to a new and stylish residence. You could even give them a luxurious new home that matches your garden decor! Don’t forget things like gloves for yourself, so that your hands are protected when cleaning out cages.

Ensuring that you stay hygienic and protected whilst looking after your animal is a big part of responsible pet ownership. You want to be disinfecting your cages and crates with a pet safe solution on a regular basis.

Bathing your dog is also a great way to keep them looking and smelling fresh. Make sure that in the winter months you have some warm towels to dry them off with. You should also pre-heat your home, ready for when they are done. You don’t want to make your pet sick from the cold. Look for some nice bedding that they can curl up on afterwards.

The more effort you put into caring for your pet, the happier it will be. However you choose to keep your pet safe and stylish this winter, make sure that you are both getting the most from your journey.

Ostrich

I don't know what the name of this flower is but it's beautiful!  I saw these beautes at Pittsburgh Zoo and I couldn't pass it, I have to take pictures of it.

 I son't know why but this flower somehow  reminds me of the ostrich.

 I think it is because the neck of the ostrich  and the stem of the flower is long as well.

What do you think?  Ostrich  is a big bird isn't it?  I remember when we went to the Zafari in Disney World, their eggs were humongous!

How to Get Pets Ready for a New Baby

When Hubby and I got Married, we didn't have  pets yet.  We both have pets growing up so we said that we will get   us  a pet or two when we have our kids already.  Our main focus was to  have babies first then the pets  which worked  out pretty good.  Here are some of  photos when we first brought home our Jack Russel Terrier, Champ.  They were sop thrilled!

If you notice online, there are so many cute videos and photos of pets, most especially dogs that look so happy playing with little babies. Not only does it bring a smile on viewers' faces but most especially to their owner. But not all pets can easily adapt to this new change. 

According to http://pregnancytips.org, although most pets during pregnancy know that something is up, it doesn’t mean they understand what that is. Prepare your pets for your baby’s arrival by exposing them with small children. When the baby is still in the hospital, bringing baby's scent from the hospital can help. They could be your baby’s burp cloths or any item that has your baby’s scent. Know your pet’s capacity and be honest to yourself, if you think your pet doesn’t react well to the new member of the family, seek help from a professional trainer.