Relaxing Garden Setting

I love when  a hotel has a well-landscaped garden where you can sit and relax.  My kids definitely enjoy  it at the Sheraton Hotel in Palo Alto, California.

The kids had a blast watching the duck and the koi fishes.

Not all  hotels offer this kind of environment but I admire those who does.

How To Provide A Safe Environment For Your New Puppy

Welcoming a new puppy into your home is an exciting experience for the whole family. Puppies, as we all know, are fun-loving, hyperactive and intensely curious. Although these characteristics make our little bundles of fur even more adorable, they can also lead your puppy into potentially dangerous situations. As a responsible pet owner, you must ensure that you are introducing your puppy into a safe environment. This post provides new pet owners with information on how you should puppy-proof your home and yard before your furry companion arrives.

Your garden

The garden is full of interesting stimulate for your puppy. However, there are certain things in our yards that can be potentially hazardous to puppies. For example, if your pup comes into contact with DIY pest control products like rat poison, insecticides or snail poison, this could seriously harm them. If you have a pest problem; leave it to the professionals. They will be able to remove these animals humanely and in a way that is safe for your family and your puppy. There are businesses that specialize in pest control in castle rock and throughout the country, so search online for companies in your local area. Certain common garden plants are also toxic to puppies. These include daffodils, foxglove, and lupine.

Your bedroom

Your puppy will see your clothes, socks, and shoes as playthings. Not only can this lead to frustration for owners, small items like jewelry, buttons and laces can be dangerous if swallowed by your pup. Make sure you keep these items out of sight and out of reach. In addition to this provide plenty of safe toys for your puppy and begin to train your puppy so they know the difference between your belongings and theirs.

Your kitchen

Your puppy will explore his new surroundings using his or her mouth, and the kitchen is a haven of smells and tastes. But it is important to be aware of the foods that are potentially dangerous to your puppy and make every effort to keep them out of reach. Among the harmful ingredients are avocado and chocolate. The ASPCA provides further information on foods that are hazardous to canines. Latches used for childproofing will come in handy on cupboard doors to prevent your puppy exploring the contents. Cleaning supplies should also be stored out of reach.

Your bathroom

Store all potentially hazardous bathroom products such as razors, soaps, and pills safely. During your puppy’s first few months in your home, it is important to remember to keep the toilet lid down to prevent an accident.

Your living areas

Power cables for lamps, TVs, and computers, etc. look like perfect chew toys to your puppy, especially when he or she is teething. Before your puppy arrives, you should take steps to ensure your cords are out of reach. Prevent access to them and encase them in a PVC tube for extra protection. Cushions, throws, and other furnishings can be appealing to puppies, especially if they have zips, beads and tassels that can be easily chewed and ingested. When you are not in your living space with your puppy, store these items in cupboards.

Destination: South America

I am not quite sure what kind of monkeys or  related family are on these photos but I remember that they are all inside the South America  section at Pittsburgh Zoo.

 I find it very cute how he sleeps.

 These are very active.  They were   climbing around the  vine inside their cage/house.

 This one was giving me that attitude look when I was taking a picture.  Kind of like saying "Keave me alone" lol.

 This one is either relaxing or sleeping.  I don't know how they could comfortable sleep in this small  branch.

Now you experts, tell me what exactly these are hehehe.

Helpful Tips For First Time Horse Owners

The prospect, of owning your first horse, is a very exciting one, especially if you have been waiting a long time to get your own horse. Buying a horse is ultimately, what every rider aims for and aspires to do. Picture those lazy summer hacks, coming first place at your local riding show, those early morning sunrise rides - life will be perfect.

However, finding the perfect horse may not be as easy as you think, and will most probably take some time. So, don’t get too ahead of yourself.

The worst thing you can do when buying a horse is to rush into a sale. Far too many inexperienced horse owners rush into buying a horse and end up with a horse that is not the right match for them.

To help you find the perfect horse for you and your family, here are some tips to help you.

1. Be smart

Of course, it’s only natural to be excited when you are looking at horses, but make sure to stay smart.

It may sound odd, but if you are shopping with children, don’t take too much notice of them. Kids will think that any horse is perfect, as they don’t fully understand that each horse is different in terms of temperament and personality. Don’t be tempted to buy a horse because it is pretty to look at and your children love it, there are other factors that are much more important to consider.

2. Take riding lessons

If you are not an experienced rider, make sure to invest in some riding lessons. While you may have read every book there is about horses; you may not know how to put the information into practice. That’s why it is important that anyone who owns a horse has some basic riding lessons.

If you are buying a horse for your family, as well as yourself, book your children some riding lessons too. Don’t be tempted to teach them yourself, unless you are an experienced rider, you may do more harm than good.

3. Take an experienced friend with you

If you are new to riding and only have a basic knowledge, take an experienced riding friend with you. An experienced horse owner, will know how to check the horse's temperament, that the animal is healthy and rides well.

If you don’t have a friend or relative that you can ask, invite your riding instructor along with you, as they will be able to give you some help and advice.

4. Watch how the horse behaves when handled

An important part, of buying a horse, comes from seeing how it behaves when handled by its owner.

If the seller suggests having the horse ready for you to ride when you arrive, ask that they wait to put the saddle on until you are there. That way you can watch how the horse acts as he is led outside, getting groomed and tacked up. If you notice that the owner is struggling to control the horse, it might be a good idea to look elsewhere instead.

5. Watch the seller ride

Before you get on the horse, ask the seller to ride first. This will allow you to see how the horse moves and how well it behaves. If the seller is uncomfortable getting on the horse, this is not a good sign. However, most sellers will be happy to do so.

Once the seller has ridden the horse, and you are happy with how it rode, it’s your turn. Spend at least five minutes riding the horse around to get a feel for how it moves and how easy it is to ride. Bare in mind, that while some horses are ideal for experienced riders, for beginners and children they just aren’t suitable.

6. Ask about the horse's history

When buying a horse, it is crucial that you find out as much as you can about the animals history. How long has the horse lived with the seller? What is the reason for the sale? Is all the paperwork up to date? Don’t worry about asking too many questions, it is important that you find out as much as you can.

If the seller has not owned the horse for very long, ask for the contact details of its previous owner. Perhaps they can help you answer your questions.

7. Not all sellers are honest

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that all sellers are honest, sadly many sellers aren’t.

Hopefully, you will be able to judge how honest a seller is by how they act and how openly they respond to your questions. Just be careful to avoid sellers who are looking for a quick deal and be wary of who you deal with.

It is a good idea to stay away from auctions or mass horse sellers, as they trade animals in so quickly that they won’t be able to tell you much about the animal. To find a reputable, local seller, ask around at your riding stables for recommendations.

8.Think about equipment

Before you buy your horse, it is important that you have everything you need to ride and look after it. Make a list of everything you need, including a saddle, helmet, and rug and then have a look online on this site about equine products and events. Or, pop into your local equine store to find what you need.

9. Take a vet to have a look

If everything else seems good, ask a vet to come and view the horse for a second time with you. Ask your vet to give the horse a basic check to make sure that it is healthy and in good condition.

It might also be a good idea to get in touch with the horse's current vet and farrier, ask the seller for their details so that you can get in touch with them. Ask them to confirm that the horse is in good health and has no underlying health problems.

10. Don’t rush

Don’t be pressured into rushing the sale, after viewing the horse go home and mull it over. Think about whether it is the right horse for you - if you have any doubts start looking elsewhere.

Peacock

I was reading an article about peacock  at National Geographic website and found out a very interesting fact that I did not know.  You might know this already but  according to what I read, the term "peacock" is commonly used to refer to birds of both sexes. Technically, only males are peacocks because the females are peahens, and together, they are called peafowl.

Pet Vaccine Alternatives

There have been increased concerns about the vaccination of pets, particularly the adverse affects that some pets are experiencing. There is some research that supports the idea that revaccinations could be giving the animal too much of the vaccination and triggering chronic diseases as well as negative behaviors. One owner expressed how her dachshund Bella had become increasingly aggressive and had increased thirst and urination. After seeking help from a holistic veterinarian she discovered that the yearly vaccinations Bella was receiving were overkill and triggering those symptoms. This is a common story amongst pet owners. Those looking for a cure should consider alternative pet vaccinations.

The first thing that you must understand is that alternative vaccinations must be a collaborative process between you and your veterinarian. Vets are experts in the field, however they are there to assist you and should be receptive to your thoughts, concerns and opinions. Make sure that you are comfortable speaking with your selected veterinarian and that you trust them. Second, you must realize that the holistic process for pets is different than those for humans. The holistic process for pets heavily consists of monitoring the levels of vaccinations to determine the necessity of certain medicines.

Blood levels are monitored utilizing antibody titer tests. These tests assess a pet’s immunity against a number of common viruses, including: canine distemper virus, canine parvovirus, feline panleukopenia, calici and herpes viruses. Your veterinarian will review the results with you and then you can decide together if a vaccination is needed and how much should be administered. This is considered an alternative process because it allows you to tailor the treatment to your particular pet.

For decades doctors have used a set dosage every time a pet came in for revaccination; however this has proven to be detrimental. Depending on the specific pet, some revaccinations were unneeded and therefore the pet was over-treated. On the other hand, in some instances pets that were deemed to be current with their shots have been found to be unprotected due to vaccines that wore off quicker than expected. For these reasons, it is critical that your vaccination method is tailored to the needs of your pet. This can be accomplished through yearly titer tests and regular blood checks.

Protecting your pet is important. Do not allow what is meant to help your animal to harm it. Take the necessary precautions to ensure that your pet is receiving the necessary vaccinations at the proper times. Cultivating a strong relationship with a knowledgeable veterinarian can greatly aid you in this process. Check with your local 24 hour animal hospital for more details.