Pets Smile Plus

Once you own an aquarium the tank maintenance will be one of your most important responsibilities. It is certainly not as much fun as you get from decorating the tank or selecting your fish, but without proper fish tank maintenance, you will be endangering the lives of your fish.

Fish tank maintenance is an essential part of your new hobby as an aquarist, and neglecting this will lead to problems with both the fish tank and the long-term health of the fish. Fish tank maintenance can sometimes seem like a bother for the aquarium owner but it doesn’t have to be that way. Perform your fish tank maintenance on a regular schedule and you’ll ensure that you never miss out on what needs to be done.

Maintenance

Now that you have learned about establishing a fish tank and you understand the cycling process, you will better understand the process of maintenance and cleaning. If your tank contains too many fish there will be excessive waste, food particles, and chemicals in the water, making maintenance difficult and the tank unhealthy. Set up your tank with a manageable number of fish and develop a schedule for carrying out regular aquarium maintenance tasks and it will make your hobby more enjoyable. Arrange the fish tank so that future tank maintenance tasks remain as easy and efficient as possible.

Cleaning

Your maintenance and cleaning schedule should not take very long to keep your aquarium sparkling and healthy. Cleaning your fish tank not only helps with the appearance of the tank by removing algae but can also prolong the life of your fish, as no pet can live in an unhealthy environment. Algae can be removed from the tank glass with an algae magnet or scraper. Remember to regularly remove any dead leaves from live plants. Do not overfeed your fish as this will cause excess waste in the water which will settle at the bottom of the tank and need to be removed.

Filter Maintenance

Aquarium maintenance must include regular cleaning of the filtration system as well as the interior of the tank. Cleaning the filter is usually a monthly task. This involves removing the filter medium and cleaning it under running water. When the filter medium becomes too worn it will need to be replaced. Remember, however, that the filtration system also contains “good bacteria” which aids in the breaking down of ammonia and balancing the nitrites in the tank, so rinse the filter quickly to remove large particles but do not be over-zealous in your cleaning.

Once you have your fish tank setup and cycling correctly, you need to set a schedule for cleaning that is strictly followed. Fish tank maintenance is an important aspect of your setup and it is necessary to integrate this into your overall scheme.

Some aquarium owners perform too much fish tank maintenance. Ideally you want the fish tank to become a self-sustaining system and not one where you are burdened with fish tank maintenance all the time. Establish a regular schedule for cleaning and maintenance every two to three weeks and your fish should remain healthy and happy and your aquarium should sparkle.

Alison Stevens is an online author and maintains goldfishsite.com/blog/” target=”_blank The Goldfish Site to assist anyone who wants to get started with setting up an aquarium fish tank and gain an understanding of fish tank maintenance.

So you are thinking about getting a puppy? Do you really want to own a dog? All your neighbors have dogs. If this is your first puppy, please review the following thoughts before you commit to buying a dog. In the end, however, I personally believe owning at least one dog is a benefit to every individual and/or family. You need to make your own decision, however, and do your research about which dog might be best for you. There is a vast amount of information on the internet that cost you only your monthly internet fee and your time to look over. Use the resources available to you and you should be able to make the right decision.

Dogs Require Time. Puppies Require More Time.

Having a puppy is like having a 2-year-old. Until they are trained, they require pretty much constant supervision. After they are trained, they still require supervision until they are older. If you can’t entertain them all day, you may want to consider two dogs, a cat, or puppy day care.

Puppies Need Training.

You might want to invest in several puppy classes and possibly more classes when your puppy is grown. Dogs are not independent, and you need to teach them proper behavior. There are also 100’s of dog training programs and books you can find on the internet if you have the time to do the training yourself. If you do have the time, this is much better for the bonding and relationship with your new friend.

If you have children, they need to take the classes with their puppies so they can learn how to interact with your new pet. This is true also is you do the training yourself. Involve your children in the training sessions.

Puppies Are an Extra Expense

You need to add the puppy expenses into your budget. They need toys, bones, food, a housebreaking crate, a separate sleeping dog bed, soft blankets, a collar and leash and clothes. Your individual puppy expenses will depend upon your desires. You can spend a little money or you can spend lots and lots of money on your new puppy. It all depends on your budget and your desires. Puppies are a lot of fun and having the extras can make having puppies even more fun!

Puppies Grow Into Dogs.

I know that’s obvious - but you need to be sure you know how big your dog will be. If you have young children, your puppy may outweigh them within a year. Do the research so you know how big your cute little puppy will be when he’s a dog. Will he fit into your home and lifestyle? So many people today are attracted to the Toy Breed puppies just because they are still quite small as adults and take up less space in a home. They also eat less. Most Toy Breed dogs do quite well on one serving of about ¾ cup of dog food per day as adults. If you go for the larger breeds, you will probably be looking at 2 to 3 cups of dog food a day.

Dogs Need Exercise.

And people need exercise - so this can actually be an advantage if handled properly. Puppies need room to run and play. They need people to play with, and they need toys to play with. If you lead a very sedentary lifestyle, be sure you pick a dog breed that is low activity. If you are thinking about starting a walking routine, a dog to take along can be perfect company. Taking your dog on your walks can be an incentive to keep walking and exercising for your own good health.

The larger the dog, the more room and exercise they need. You will probably need to walk your dog several times a week. Be sure and plan that into your schedule now - or you may find your puppy running around the house all day without you. One thing for certain is all dogs need exercise. The larger the breed, the more exercise they will require. The Toy Breed dogs will require less exercise and can survive quite nicely on ½ hour walks three to five times per week just want is appropriate for you.

In Conclusion

A dog can be a very rewarding experience - even if this is your first puppy. Your dog will become a family member and be a faithful companion for life. Be prepared for your new puppy, and it will be a great adventure for both of you. Many single and elderly people are finding that owning a dog is much better for their health than not owning dogs. Studies have shown people who own pets actually enjoy better health and live longer.

So……..don’t worry too much about the extra expenses or what could happen to your dog that would cause you to have pay this and that in a vet bill. Chances are, regardless of your budget, you can afford at least one dog or maybe even two dogs. And….chances is you will be much better off with pets than without them.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

Author: Connie Limon. Visit us at abouttoydogs.com abouttoydogs.com About Toy Dogs is a guide to information about the selection and care of Toy Dog Breeds. We feature articles, dog training resources, dog books, dog supplies and a Toy Dog Breeder Directory. Sign up for our FREE bi-weekly newsletter. Purchase ad space for your kennel, dog supplies, website or puppies for sale at a rate of $25 per year for a full page ad with up to three pictures.

Hamsters are solitary animals and they need enough space for themselves. At normal conditions, hamsters don’t allow another hamster to his room, unless for the dwarfs hamsters. This specie has great tendencies of becoming sociable yet this is still not true for all.

The standard hamster cage is roughly around a square foot or so. But providing a much larger hamster cage would be greatly appreciated by your hammy. Hamsters are used to travelling miles in a single night. A hamster cage may not be able to give him this much space but it would be just okay for your pet. A thick layer of wood pulp shavings should not be absent in his cage flooring, along with other things like toys, tubes and papers. It is also good to create a specific place for him where he may sleep the day away.

Hamsters are nocturnal animals and natural diggers. On their natural habitats, hamsters normally stay in elaborately constructed barrows, some of which may be as long as 30 feet. You may be startled to discover traces of such tunnels in the bedding of the hamster cage. They are apt as well to maneuvering through tunnels, small holes and everything that may become as escape routes so keep watch for such for hamsters are excellent escape artists.

Majority of hamster cages has solid plastic bases and is equipped with metal bars at the upper layer. These cages may have ladders or wire ramps to provide access to upper level of the cage. Most animal experts advise the use of aquariums as hamster cages though. These provide ample visibility for the owner and can be cleaned off easily. But if you are to use an aquarium, make sure that the humidity inside it is tolerable by your hammy. They can’t withstand high humidity so you may have to replace the lid with a wire mesh. The most ideal size of the wire mesh is 1 by 1-centimeter. Be sure to clip the wire lid securely and check for possible escape holes. They can easily squeeze through such gaps.

Never place your hamster in wooden cages and cardboard boxes, unless you would want them to escape. They can simply chew their way out from such structures. High-end plastic materials may look pleasing along with featured chambers and tunnels but they are rather difficult to clean. If possible, buy the hamster cage that has lift-off lid or a large door opening. This can make cleaning faster and more comfortable.

The floor of the hamster cage must be covered with sawdust or wood shavings, at least two inches of the material. This is primarily used for flooring but may also end at your pet’s mouth as he builds tunnels and rearranges his food stash. When choosing wood bedding, prefer the absorbent ones.

Most experts don’t recommend the use of cedars as cage bedding. Cedar oils are too sharp for the respiratory system of the creature. Pine is advisable so long as the palest variety of the wood is used, to avoid strong pine oils. Aspen may be more preferable but for the time being, the hamster community is reconsidering aspen as it may have adverse effects on the creature’s health.

The difficulty of maintaining the hamster cages clean is greatly dependent on the type of the cage. However, the basic thing to think of in cleaning a hamster cage is to remove first the animal. Place him in an enclosed space, say a hamster ball. Then continue on to replacing and not removing some of the old materials. A thorough cleaning once in a week may suffice.

Robert Thatcher is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides hamster cage resources on about-hamster-cages.info about-hamster-cages.info

Animal hospitals are hospitals that provide veterinary care for sick or injured pets like dogs, cats, rabbits, birds and small mammals. The doctors specializing in animal medicine are known as veterinarians. These hospitals include 24 hour emergency veterinary services in addition to surgical, standard medical and dental veterinary care. They also provide specialized treatment including advanced diagnostic services, internal medicines and surgery. The other services include orthopedic care, radiology, and cardiology. Exotic pets like reptiles, ferrets, pocket pets etc., are also taken care of there. Pharmaceutical products are available in the animal hospitals to provide total pet care. Animal hospitals also conduct a variety of pet wellness programs, including vaccinations and routine health examinations. Animal hospitals play a vital role in the prevention of diseases of animals that can be transmitted to man.

The services provided by a good animal hospital include complete health care, diagnosis, animal sheltering, animal behavior and training programs, and pet population control. Some hospitals also offer kennel-boarding facilities. These boarding facilities are doctor supervised and are safe and comfortable for a pet while the owner is away. The kennel boarding facilities can be day care for working owners or for long stays. Animal hospitals also provide pets for adoption.

To provide better health facilities to animals, the American Animal Hospital Association was founded in 1933 by seven veterinary professionals. AAHA serves more than 3,000 hospital members in the U.S. and Canada, and over 36,000 veterinary care providers in North America and overseas.

With owners willing to spend money on their pet’s well being, the availability of luxury services and products has considerably increased. More animal hospitals are now coming up with the objective of providing full support for the total health care of animals.

i-Hospitals.com Hospitals provides detailed information on Hospitals, Childrens Hospitals, Animal Hospitals, Good Samaritan Hospitals and more. Hospitals is affiliated with e-HospitalBeds.com Used Hospital Beds.

Are you unknowingly poisoning your beloved dog every time you put commercial dog food in his bowl?

The dry packaged and can dog food recall is an ongoing situation that’s causing many pet owners a lot of worry and grief. Unfortunately, it seems like the bad dog food news is going to continue for some time. Recently, the ASPCA sent out a warning to pet owners to watch your pets closely for symptoms of poisoning associated with the contaminated dog food recall.

Now none of us would knowingly feed our pets poison. In fact, many desperate pet owners are searching for viable solutions to the pet food scare problem. Little did we know that in addition to the tainted wheat gluten, we’ve been feeding our pets an animal version of “Soylent Green” (Those of you who have seen this classic 1973 movie know what I mean, if you haven’t, look it up.)

This news is quite alarming, but it is also a wake up call for all concerned pet owners. It’s time to stop letting the pet food manufacturers get away with this robbery. They are taking your money and providing an inferior product. If you have been buying the cheaper pet food, then it’s true that you get what you pay for. The real eye opener is that for those of you who have been spending the extra money to buy the healthier brands of dog food, well, you are not necessarily getting better than that cheap stuff.

There’s also a problem with the preservatives used to keep this “food product” from spoiling. Did you know that most commercial dog food contains at least six deadly chemicals banned from human consumption because they cause a list of ailments?

These preservatives have been linked to:

Blindness
Bladder Cancer
Chronic Diarrhea
Hair Loss
Immune System Collapse
Kidney Failure
Leukemia
Renal Failure
Skin Cancer
Stomach Cancer

Other symptoms linked to dog food toxins are:

Extreme thirst
Lethargy
Vomiting

Although this is a scary time for you and your pet, there is light at the end of the tunnel. There are resources online that can guide you in choosing healthy, nutritious food for your pet. You may even decide to try a home dog food recipe. The important thing is that you make good food choices for your dog so he or she can be around to give you wet dog kisses for a very long time.

They’re killing your dog and you don’t even know it! That’s right. If you think the recent tainted pet food scare is bad, wait until you find out what dog food companies are really putting in your innocent pet’s food. Warning: this information is quite shocking and not to be viewed if you have a faint stomach. Find out more details at 1minutesolutions.com 1minutesolutions.com

The down command is the next lesson to teach in your dog obedience training schedule. It should be taught as soon as you and your dog have mastered the sit command.

The down command is a fundamental ingredient of your overall dog obedience training program. It provides the foundation for many other advanced commands/skills and establishes you as the leader in the relationship you share with your dog. The reason for this is that the laying down position is a submissive and somewhat vulnerable position for your dog to be in, especially when you are standing tall over the top of your dog.

The down command is a very handy tool you will come to rely on in many situations. Popping your dog down into the lying down position is great for times when you need to go into a shop or for occasions when there are small children around. It can take a bit of practice to reach this level, but it is worth the effort.

Learning The Down Obedience Command

When you are in the learning phase of teaching the down command, start out by making it simple for your dog, then slowly turn up the difficulty level.

Move your training sessions to a public place.

Increase the time you keep your dog in the down position.

Bounce a ball around your dog when he is in the lying position, or scatter some food around him. The idea is that your “down” command will be so strong in your dogs mind, that none of these other distractions matter. He can only get up to chase the ball or eat the treats when you release him from the down command.

What you are trying to achieve with the down command is to have your dog quickly get down into the laying position, belly touching the ground and his front legs extended out in front.

In a familiar environment to your dog with no distractions, lets get started!

Down Command Technique 1 - Off Leash

Put your dog into a sitting position.

Grab your dogs favorite tasty treat and hold it a couple of centimetres in front of his/her nose. Move your hand straight down to the ground. Your dog should follow it down (you can praise and encourage him down). As soon as his belly hits the ground, with his legs out in front, lavish him with praise and give the treat.

Repeat this action over and over in short sharp training sessions.

When your dog is “getting it” and going down right away, you can add the verbal part of the command. I use “down” other people use “lay” or “drop”, just choose the one you are comfortable with and stick to it (make it a one word command only). Add your command just before you start to move the treat towards the ground. This step is all about building an association in your dogs mind between the verbal “down” command and the act of him laying down.

The idea is that eventually, after plenty of repetition and praise your dog will only require your verbal command, and not the treat in your hand to lure him down. Also, in time you will be able to start the command not only from the sitting position but from standing and in any situation you and your dog are in.

When your dog is responding well to your verbal command, introduce some other variables which make the down command a little more challenging. Try the command as you go about your daily business, around other people or dogs and increase the duration of the command.

Down Command Technique 2 - On Leash

Put your preferred collar and leash on your dog - I just use a nice leather buckle collar when teaching the down command.

Place your dog into the sitting position and stand or kneel right next to him.

Basically you are trying to guide or coax your dog into the down position. How you do this depends on the size and co-operation level of your dog.

Always say your “down” command first, then immediately guide your dog down into the lying position. Grab hold of the leash and gently pull your dogs head down, at the same time guide him down by pressing down between his shoulder blades with the palm of your hand. You can also lift up your dogs front legs and extend them out in front of him, find the method which works best for you. Praise and encourage your dog all the way down. Then of course as soon as he’s in the down position make it clear to him that you are happy with him and that he has done a good job.

After lots of repetition your dog will respond to your verbal command only. Then try the command when your dog is in the standing position and in other settings. Make the command a little more challenging by adding some distractions and increasing the time he is required to stay in the down position.

Whichever method you choose to teach your dog the down command be consistent and keep at it.

When you are happy with your dog getting into the down position you will probably want to add a release command to it. This means that when you issue your down command, your dog goes straight down and is not permitted to get up until you issue another command. You can use “away” or “off you go” for this purpose.

Chris Smith is a dedicated dog owner and creator of dog-obedience-training-review.com dog-obedience-training-review.com.

Discover the latest cutting edge home based dog training techniques.

A very big concern with owning a dog, especially a large one, is having one infested with fleas, ticks, or other parasitic hosts.  They cause a large variety of health issues and problems with your canine companion. These hosts are often tough to get rid of.  Once infested, these parasitic creatures can often spawn hundreds of new eggs a day. With the correct dog flea medicine and prevention methods, these harmful little creatures can be eradicated and stunted from spreading forever.

Comprehending the Flea’s Life Cycle
Before you start your treatment of flea medicine, its best to understand how these little beasts live.  There are four life cycles of a flea: egg, larva, pupa and adult flea.  Fleas locate a host, like your dog or any other animal, and feed upon their blood, therefore being able to produce eggs.  Once these eggs have been laid, they will fall from the pet and hatch wherever they tend to land. These places consist of your carpet, dog bedding, couch, clothes, or wherever your dog tends to relax. They hatch as larvae and later transform into pupae and finally adult fleas where they once again find a food source such as your dog.  With suitable dog flea and tick medicine, it is evident that the fleas life cycle will come to a hault , therefore ending any further spread of eggs throughout your home.

Different Categories of Dog Flea Medicine
Not all dog flea medications are created equal nor do they handle your problem in the same manner. Some flea medications destroy egg larvae or adult fleas while others will disrupt their entire life cycle.  Not all dog flea medications are dispensed in the same manner.  There are oral pills versus a liquid medicine that is applied topically.  Regardless of the flea medication, you need to choose which one will best apply to the situation you have at hand or you may find yourself using all of them.  As you may be able to notice by now, prevention is the easiest and most effective tool you can use to avoid any flea problem.  There are several types of dog flea medications you can select from, we recommend a company called jdoqocy.com/click-2114936-10439311?sid=articlesub Petcraze .

How to use Flea Medication Accurately
Posted below are some great tips and hints as to how to administer the proper flea medicine correctly:

Remember that some flea medications kill the flea while others work to interrupt the life cycle. Use whichever one works best for your situation or use both when in doubt.

Start prevention treatments early, as to stop the fleas from spreading. The earlier you start the easier it will be to eliminate or stop an infestation.

Buy a flea collar that will prevent eggs from hatching.

If you find that your dog is scratching herself profusely, take action now before the situation gets out of control.

Consider a liquid medicine if your dog has trouble with oral medications. You can mix this in their water if necessary.

Vacuum areas where your pet rests regularly and discard the bag or vacuum some flea powder into the bag immediately.

Consult your vet if you have concerns or questions regarding details of this infestation.

Follow instructions properly. Seems very simple, but many people seem to skip a few steps as they may consider them unimportant. Do not fall victim to this mistake.

Fleas can be a nuisance and ultimately a health risk for you and your canine companion, but with the proper dog flea medicination treatment, you can dismiss this pest from your home for good.

For more information regarding largedogbreedz.com/your-large-dogs-health/dog-parasites/ dog flea and tick prevention, largedogbreedz.com/your-large-dogs-health/large-dog-nutrition/ dog nutrition and health, please visit at largedogbreedz.com largedogbreedz.com

As with every training tool used to modify a behavior in your pet, electronic dog training collars need to be used correctly in order to be effective.

Some dog owners buy an electronic dog training collar because their pooch doesn’t follow orders consistently, or at all. As soon as they get home, they strap it on, expecting some sort of miracle. And when doggie decides to do something special, like growl at another dog, his owner zaps the animal.

However, with no conditioning, the dog won’t know what to do, and will immediately be scared. What he’ll learn from this process is not to stop growling, but instead, how to avoid the pain. Quickly he’ll figure out one of probably three different methods of avoidance:

• RUN as far and as fast as he can, until the zapping stops;

• FREEZE and do nothing until the zapping stops; or

• FIND his owner.

None of these three responses to the electronic dog training collar, however, teach the dog anything new. If anything, they reinforce more bad behavior: if he RUNS, or FREEZES, he learns an avoidance technique of the pain, but doesn’t change the behavior, or he FINDS his owner, and starts to associate safety with the owner’s presence, and loses his independence.

This article will detail the proper ways to modify your dog’s behavior using an electronic dog training collar, so that you don’t encounter these frustrating mishaps.

Learn the Proper Command

Before you start using an electronic dog training collar, your dog must first understand what is being asked of him. There are no shortcuts during this step, and it can take longer or shorter depending on your dog’s temperament, breed, and time allotted. Be patient.

At this stage, the only thing that needs to be done is to show the dog what you want them to do, along with constantly repeating the action. So, if you want your dog to kneel, you would show the dog what kneeling is, and say, “Kneel, kneel, kneel.”

This stage is NOT a punishment stage, so no disciplinary action should be taken. Just work with your dog a lot until he understands what you are trying to tell him, and associates the word with the action.

Once this has been achieved, now is the time to test your electronic dog training collar. Find out at what level your dog responds to, and do NOT use a level higher than that. Watch your dog carefully during this testing phase; he should not be in pain, yelp or get scared, he should only be mildly uncomfortable.

Now you are ready to try all of what you’ve learned, together. Before you ask your dog to kneel, push turn on the electronic dog collar. Then, immediately say, “Kneel,” until your dog responds. After a couple of tries over an extended period of time, your dog will start responding to the command faster than he does the stimulation. Soon, you’ll only be using the electronic dog collar to remind your dog to listen to your “Kneel” command, instead of using it each time.

(c) 2005 dog-training-info.com. This article may be republished as long as these bylines are included.

Kevin Simmons is the webmaster of dog-training-info.com dog-training-info.com. Please visit the site for more free dog training articles. Online URL for this article: dog-training-info.com/dog-training-collar.htm dog-training-info.com/dog-training-collar.htm

Any one who owns a pet will be the first to tell that very soon that pet will grow beyond being a pet to very quickly becoming a member of the family. We adopted a cat that was well beyond its infancy and it quickly became a part of our brood. It was obvious our pussy was just more than a pet cat when we all felt he qualified for his own stocking at Christmas.

I went shopping and unfortunately bought several instead of just the one so I had trouble choosing which one I would use. The one I chose to use was just beautiful; it was red at the top white at the bottom and covered in a frosty looking coating. It also had our cats name ‘Tinkerbell’s’ on a tag. It also had a bell on the end that suited his name as well.

This particular stocking was very practical being about 20 inches long and 7.5 inches wide. There will be more than enough room in it for all the goodies we will stuff inside. There will be everything in there, chocolate mice, toys, stringy things with shiny things on the end that pussy will chase. We can’t wait for Christmas time to come so we can watch the fun.

I bought a second item more for me really than the cat really. It was too good to pass up. It was a good cat bad cat stocking. Good cat on the one side Bad cat on the other. This stocking will be a great conversation piece all though it is too small to hold all the goodies we bought. It has a Cut Cat on the top but no bell but it is really funny.

On the one side the Cut Cat is sitting very still and looking so cute and pretty. The expression is one of pride and pomp. It has a Santa hat that puts it fair and square in the festive spirit. Now the one on the back is a different story all together. It is facing away from you so you cannot see its face just its back view. You can see the wall where the cat’s claws have gouged great ruts in the paper on the wall. The wall is seriously damaged and the cat’s fur is standing on end whiskers straight out and if there was sound available you would most certainly hear it

The whole idea of the good cat bad cat was really eye catching so I bought it as well. It is certainly a humorous addition for our pussy. Tell you what I think we need to go out and get a second pussy just to put this other stocking to good use.

Hopefully you will never have to go through this. But odds are good at one time or another, either you or a friend will have a pet that goes missing. You can be the most careful person and through no fault of your own, something happens.

I had first hand experience of this last Tuesday when I got the phone call – two of my dogs, Bailey & Hooch decided to go for an adventure. There are several steps to take when you find out your pet is missing.

The first thing is to confirm they are actually missing. Check over your house & property. They could have gotten locked in the basement or barn somehow.

The next most natural step is to just start looking. Either walk or drive around your neighborhood calling out your pets’ name. When you’re out looking for your pet, talk to as many people as possible. Give them your name, number and a description of your pet. You’ll increase the chances of finding your pet when more people know that it’s missing. Also, call your friends and family; enlist their help in finding your pet.

Depending on the city of town you live in, either call your local humane society or sheriff’s office. Notify them of your pets’ status.

If your pet has been missing for more than a day, it’s a good idea to start posting signs. For local stores & gas stations, use colored signs if you can that have a good picture of your pet. When posting poster board size signs outside, use fluorescent colors – they provide much more visibility. A couple of words of caution only post the basics about your pet & your phone number. Don’t put your address on it & if you’re offering a reward, just list Reward Offered, don’t list the amount.

Hopefully, with a little luck and a little prayer you’ll find your pet safe and sound. Thankfully I had a happy ending when I found Bailey and Hooch the next morning. They were cold and tired, but as happy to see me as I was them.

Suzi Sevcik is the founder of PetLabels.com & proud dog owner. The experiences she writes about comes from living with 3 Golden Retrievers. You can find more pet articles here: PetLabels.com/articles/ PetLabels.com/articles/ or email her at mailto:suzi@petlabels.com suzi@petlabels.com.