Pets Smile Plus

Please note that the author is not a veterinarian. Please consult your vet for any medical advice about your pet.

Growing up, a sense of wonder at nature and a love for animals was instilled in us. A normal weekend was spent at Elachee Nature Center in Oakwood, GA learning about the climate that controlled Georgia?s agriculture and natural resources. This normally went into detail about animals as well as the plants that naturally supported such wildlife. This inbred fascination with nature was also reflected in our home. My brother, sister, and I all had numerous books on wild animals and we loved to watch The Discovery Channel. My mom brought it on herself that we tended to bring home and love animals. By the time I had moved out, my family had two birds, two turtles, numerous white mice and hamsters, and one very rowdy little dog. After I moved out, I collected a couple of cats and a couple of very rowdy large dogs.

The most recent addition to the family is Hannah, the dwarf hamster. My brother, Bob, brought her home in late 2003 and my mom quickly became enamored with her. Mom has been known to get Hannah out of her cage in the middle of the night to play and feed her almonds in the kitchen while she gets ready for work.

Early in 2005, Hannah began to develop bald spots under her chin and across her body. My mom would often talk about how it worried her during our weekly conversations, but I hadn?t realized how far spread it was until I woke Hannah up one Sunday afternoon. She climbed up against the walls of her plexiglass hamster-haven and I realized that she had lost most of the hair on her stomach in a patch that stretched from her right arm to her right leg. Her little pink skin showed through clear as day, and I got her out for a closer look. She didn?t exhibit any bumps or discomfort as I probed her, although she was a little irritated that I was bringing her out without the offer of a tasty treat. I gave her a hamster treat and set her back down in her little home.

Then, I decided it was time for an internet search. Little Hannah needed some help, and I didn?t want to pay a vet to tell me she was just getting old. I researched ?hamster hair loss? and found that it is a fairly common problem, especially in older hamsters. The search told me that the most common reasons were age, protein deficiency, vitamin deficiency, hair getting caught in the hamster-wheel, mites, and allergic reactions to the bedding. It also let me know how to check her for mites. Mites cause a red or black pattern of bumps on the skin and they normally nest in the hamster?s hair and bedding. I checked her and realized that her skin was clear, smooth, and free from little insects.

I knew Hannah was aging and getting to where this was a natural instance for her species; however, I couldn?t just tell my mom to prepare for a little hamster funeral. I focused on the deficiencies and found that most pet stores sell a water-soluble vitamin supplement for hamsters. You simply dissolve a pill in the hamster?s water supply, and the hamster ingests it without even knowing.

I called my mom and let her know what my research had concluded and she said that she had found basically the same thing in her own search. She said she was going to get a supplement and see how Hannah responded.

After a couple of weeks, Mom reported that Hannah had regained a new love for life and was even making her wheel ?go squeaky, squeaky in the middle of the night.? She mentioned that the hair had not started to grow back but had stopped falling out. She also noted that Hannah seemed to really like her new supplemented water and she had to refill her little dispenser more often.

Before, whenever I had browsed the pet store the animal multivitamins struck me as silliness for profit: a plan to play off our love for our pets to line the company?s pockets. Now that I have seen it in action, I realize how close we are to our little animal neighbors in how our bodies need the substance of healthiness. In animals and in humans, our food comes pre-processed and our exercise is limited by our lifestyle. As people, our doctors, magazines, TV programs on healthy living and even our mothers tell us to take our daily multivitamin to keep us young, fit, and healthy because our food simply does not satisfy the nutritional needs of our bodies. As hamsters, they only have the attention of their owners to see to it that they get what their little bodies need to survive ? and there aren?t any TV commercials on the benefits of hamster vitamins. Now the victim of a successful experiment, it seems that Hannah now has a greater appreciation for her nutritional supplement as well.

For more advice from real professionals, the following websites helped me in my search for the cure:

http://www.hilltopanimalhospital.com/hamsters.htm

http://www.petinfo4u.com/advancedsmallanimals.htm

http://www.britishhamsterassociation.org.uk/getarticle.php?fname=journal/dermatitis.htm

Cynthia Dollins works in corporate America and is well known within her company for her training manuals and easy to understand instructions. She also has a love for animals that is often shown through her writing and an odd family that inspires much humor. This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.PetLovers.Com/ which is a site for Pet Forums.

Dogs can be inflicted with ailments, which can prove fatal if not apprehended early and treated in an appropriate manner. As far as canine health care is concerned, you need to have a proactive approach. You must look for ominous signs, which indicate that the dog?s health is probably deteriorating. Timely care and treatment can save your dog from the fangs of death. Preventive health care is crucial in order to avoid any grave health disorders.

Fortunately, the advances in veterinary science have led to a significant reduction in the occurrence and effects of several dog diseases. Common viral diseases in dogs include rabies, parvovirus, hepatitis, parainfluenza, distemper and coronavirus among others. Bacterial ailments may include leptospirosis, Lyme disease, and a type of kennel cough. However, all these perilous diseases can be prevented through discreet vaccination of pets.

Dog vaccinations work in much the same as vaccines administered to humans. They stimulate the dog?s immune system to produce specific antibodies in order to fight a possible subsequent attack by the pertinent pathogen. In general, vaccines have led to a decrease in the number of disease occurrences. However, some dogs are known to have an undesired reaction to vaccines, and veterinarians now question the act of overloading a puppy?s immune system with multiple vaccines within a short interval of time. But there are no proven vaccine substitutes, and vaccination still remains the first line of defense to the debilitating diseases in dogs.

Dogs may also suffer from skin infections and allergies. One such prominent skin infection is pyotraumatic dermatitis, which is commonly known as hot spots. Hot spots are surface skin infections caused due to an overgrowth of skin bacteria, which overwhelms the resistance mechanism. In general, hot spots are circular patches that lose hair and can be swollen. They can be agonizingly itchy, causing the dog to scratch, lick, or bite to the point of causing self-injury. Hot spots must be treated immediately, since they may spread to an alarming proportion.

External parasites can be warded off by proper grooming. However, an internal parasite called ?heartworm? is now recognized as a fatal pest affecting dogs worldwide. The disease gets its name due to the related growth of worms inside a dog?s heart. Heartworm disease has a traumatic progression ? each activity or exercise is accompanied by respiratory distress, and an overgrowth of worms may eventually lead to congestive heart failure.

The above information explains the possible ailments that might endanger your dog?s health. However, your dog can enjoy great health through proper canine care and regular checkups by a professional veterinarian.

Niall Kennedy is a lifelong dog lover and has worked in several pet sanctuaries. Best Pet Health Information is a resource that brings you information about dog health. http://www.Best-Pet-Health.info.

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What is the best dog food? Veterinarians are often hit by that question from scads of anxious dog owners. Every dog owner wants to feed their dog with the best that is available. However, the sheer variety of dog foods and the conflicting views on the best dog diet can leave you quite perplexed. While some experts assert that home made food is best for dogs, others argue that commercial dog food is better. Anyway, we have witnessed a shift towards commercial dog food, owing much to the fast paced life that we all lead.

Even if you don?t find time out of your hectic work schedule to prepare a home made dog meal, you can still provide your pet with the best dog food. The markets are buzzing with prepackaged real dog foods that are much like the home made dog meals. Either you can purchase a prepackaged meal to provide balanced nutrition, or you may buy a specific diet according to your dog?s individual needs. Prepackaged meals are formulated from natural or organic ingredients and are usually available in a dry form. Though this variety of dog food is rather expensive, feeding the best dog food entails significantly lower veterinary bills.

For some dog owners prepackaged real food is simply unaffordable. In such a scenario, the most viable option is to either prepare a dog meal at home, or go in for canned dog foods. The most affordable and easily accessible variety of dog foods is the canned variety.

Canned dog foods come in handy during travel and in emergency. The best dog foods consist of real, whole and known ingredients. Canned foods typically contain preservatives, since there might be a significant time gap between manufacturing and consumption. In general, canned food manufacturers cannot dispense with the preservatives. Hence, you must ensure that the preservatives used are natural, such as vitamin E and C.

The best dog foods are not only available at your neighborhood grocery store, you can avail them at vet offices & feed stores and natural food stores too. However, it is imperative that you conduct a preliminary research so as to gauge the efficacy of the brand of your choice. Manufacturers that offer the best dog foods are always willing to heed to the customer?s concern and inquiries. They would keep dog owners updated on their latest products and would be glad to offer advice on canine nutrition.

Some dog owners, which feed their dog with the best dog foods around, are often flabbergasted to see their pet?s health deteriorate over time. What they miss out on is the fact that appropriate fluid intake is equally important as a good diet. An adult dog?s body comprises of 60% water, while a puppy has an overwhelming 84% water content. It?s surprising to know that even a mere 10% water loss can be detrimental to a dog?s health.

Feed and water your dog with the best dog foods and ensure appropriate fluid intake, and you would never have to be anxious about your dog?s wellbeing.

Niall Kennedy is a lifelong dog lover and has worked in several pet sanctuaries. Best Pet Health Information is a resource that brings you information about healthy dog food. http://www.Best-Pet-Health.info. Dog News Center - Dog Article Directory - Submit Your Articles Now

Copyright Best-Pet-Health.info All rights reserved. This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact.

House rabbits are a perfect pet for many people, regardless of whether they live on a farm or in an apartment. House rabbits are small, easy to take care of, and don?t require any expensive supplies like some other pets do. They are cute, friendly, and playful. They are also safe enough that you can have a child play with a rabbit unsupervised, something that would probably not be safe to do with a dog.

Also, rabbits love to play with children. Having more than one rabbit will just add to the fun. However, if you do have more than one rabbit, make sure they are the same sex. Also, while rabbits sometimes get along well with other pets, it is generally best to not mix rabbits with cats or dogs.

Caring for your House Rabbits.

Care for house rabbits is critical for the well being of your rabbit and for your enjoyment of your rabbit. You will not be able to enjoy your rabbit as nearly as much if your rabbit is constantly ill. Also, your rabbit will not be very happy if it spends most of its time feeling miserable. Unfortunately, rabbits are very vulnerable to disease.

The best way to protect your rabbit from disease is to make sure that your rabbit and its cage are always clean. Regularly clean your rabbit?s cage with a disinfectant, and also give your rabbit an occasional bath. If you have a new rabbit, quarantine it from the rest of the rabbits for at least two weeks. If at the end of the two weeks the new rabbit looks fine, it is probably safe to put it in with the other rabbits. If you have questions about rabbit care, ask your veterinarian.

About The Author

Mike Yeager, Publisher - http://www.a1-pets-4u.com/

mjy610@hotmail.com

You can take the easy option and throw some discount cat feed into a bowl for your feline friend, but will she remain your friend for long if you don’t give a bit more thought into what you feed her? Here is some advice that will have her purring with delight at feeding time, and keep her healthy at the same time.

In order to keep your cat or kitten healthy, you need to choose quality foods that will provide him with nutrients he needs. But, what are they? You can?t just give your cat any type of food that is available. There are several things you should do to improve your cat?s nutrition.

Kitten Food

During the first few weeks, the food will come from mom cat. But, when he begins to reach the age of four to six weeks, he needs to supplement his foods with canned kitten food or you can provide him with dry cat food that is softened with water. At eight weeks, he should be weaned from the mother and eating kitten food solely. The breeder at this point can allow him to be adopted and should provide you with some of the food that he is eating. If you plan to switch brands, you can do so but make sure that you mix the food together until he is used to it.

Growing kittens will eat a good amount of food. They are growing very fast and need it. They will eat more than once a day. They are likely to eat up to four smaller meals until they are six months old. You should give him plenty of clean water as well. Remember, kittens have smaller stomachs and need smaller amounts but use a lot of energy nonetheless.

As Your Kitten Gets Older

At six months, the cat will begin to taper off in growing. He will likely be less active as well. This means you can cut back to feeding him to two or three meals a day. You should not change from kitten food to adult food since he is still growing.

At a year, you can provide him with adult food. Adult cats will eat when they are hungry so you can simply leave a dish filled with dry food for him. But, if he overeats and becomes overweight, he will need to be limited to eating twice a day instead. If you give him canned food, you can still offer dry food as well. Canned food should not be left out all day.

What Kind of Cat Food?

To purchase cat food, you should look for the types that have protein sources in the first few ingredients that are listed. You should make sure that the food is well balanced too. If the cat has problems that are health related look for foods designed to help with these conditions.

Many cats will enjoy both wet and dry food. But, some are finicky about it. If your cat does not seem to like dry cat food, moisten it or provide him with regular check ups at the vet to keep his teeth clean. Providing well balanced food for your cat will allow him to live a healthy, long life.

Best Pet Health Information is a resource that brings you information and news, tips and reviews to ensure you have the correct cat health products to keep your moggy happy. http://www.Best-Pet-Health.info Copyright Best-Pet-Health.info All rights reserved. This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact.

You know how annoying it can be when you have an itch, but you can’t reach it to give it a scratch? Well, when your cat has fleas it’s like your problem, just multiplied a hundred times.

If your cat has fleas or ticks, you need to take action. If they are scratching or have irritated skin, your cats need you to bring this problem under control because it can become a much larger problem if you do not.

Even clean cats can end up with fleas. All it takes is a stray animal to come close enough to the cat. Or, the cat can pick them up outdoors as well. Even just one flea can leave many eggs and cause a full scale attack on your pet.

To stop them before they start, you can use a product such as Frontline or Advantage. These are pre measured liquid treatments that are applied directly to the cat?s skin and coat. When fleas get onto the pet, these products kill them before they can lay eggs. Those who want preventative measures for keeping the cat safe should use these.

For most though, it takes seeing the fleas to get them to start fighting them. If you see tiny black or brown insects on your animal, these are no doubt that your cat is flea infested. If you do see them, realize that the problem is already a big problem.

What you need to do is make sure to check your pet for fleas all the time. You can do this with a flea comb. Carefully comb through the cat?s hair and pay attention to the hair around the cat?s head and his belly. These are the ideal places for fleas to hide including the ears, eyes and the nose. And, they like to burrow in the creases where the cat?s legs and body meet.

When combing your pet, if you find a flea you know they are throughout his body. But, if you end up with a few black or brown specks, this too is a sign that they are hiding somewhere on the pet?s body.

To find them, run your hands over the cat?s body. Look for raised spots on him. If you find one or more, check it closely to see if it has little legs. If so the cat has ticks. You?ll need to ask your vet about having the tick removed as you can not do this yourself without risking the tick?s head staying behind in your pet?s skin.

In order to get them under control, you?ll need to use one of the liquid flea and tick treatments. You can also use flea or tick collars and baths as well. If the fleas are in your house, as they probably are, then you will need to use a powder or spray for the bedding and upholstered furniture too. As a last resort, you can use a flea and tick bomb in your home. But, in this case, the animals will need to stay out of your home for at least 24 hours.

Fleas are a serious concern and you need to keep them from affecting your pet. If your pet has them, also talk to your vet about treatments he can provide as these are professional strengths that can help. Before they make your pet sick, take measures at the first sign of trouble.

Niall Kennedy is a lifelong pet lover and has worked in several pet sanctuaries. Best Pet Health Information is a resource that brings you information about many aspects cat health. You will also find great deals on flea medication for cats such as Frontline, Advantage and Revolution. http://www.Best-Pet-Health.info

Copyright Best-Pet-Health.info All rights reserved. This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact.

Many people believe that it is impossible for cats and dogs to live together peacefully. Perhaps this belief is brought on by images seen in cartoons or by one or two negative experiences between cats and dogs. But, in reality, it is quite possible for the two species to live together peacefully ? and even to live together as friends.

Genetics

Genetically, there are reasons for cats and dogs to dislike each other. By nature, dogs are predators that tend to chase things that move quickly and that are smaller than them. Of course, cats fit this description, making them the perfect play toy for dogs wanting to utilize their predatory skills.

Cats, who are also predatory, can also exhibit stalking behaviours toward dogs; despite the fact the dog is usually much bigger. In addition, cats will defend themselves, so thus begins the rivalry.

Environmental Influence

Of course genetics and instinct alone isn?t the only reason why dogs and cats sometimes don?t get along. During the first 2 to 3 months of an animal?s life, it learns who its friends and its enemies are. Therefore, a puppy raised with cats will most likely tend to get along better with the cats. Similarly, a kitten raised with dogs will not think much of the dogs. In fact, it is often easier to raise a new kitten in a household with dogs than the other way around because cats tend to be more territorial than dogs. A highly predatory dog, however, will make it more difficult to introduce a new kitten to the household.

Training Pets to Live in Peace and Harmony

Teaching cats and dogs that don?t get along with each other to live together can be a somewhat difficult task, but it is possible. The best way to accomplish this is to allow the animals to spend time together while a human chaperone is present. The more time animals spend with one another, the more tolerant they become of the other. In fact, this can often lead to a very affectionate relationship. Puppies and kittens that are raised together have the best chance of developing a positive relationship.

If a dog has been particularly cruel to cats in the past, however, it is probably not a good idea to try to get the two species to co-exist. Even if the dog doesn?t manage to get the cat, it will most likely make the cat?s life difficult by continually chasing after it. Similarly, a puppy might need to be protected from a particularly territorial or mean cat.

Dogs can also be trained to leave cats alone, just as they can be trained to fetch, sit or stand still. For a pet owner who has the time and patience, the dog can be leashed with a training collar. Another person can bring the cat increasingly closer to the dog. If the dog sits still it, should be praised. If it attempts to lunge after the cat, the leash should be pulled and the dog should be told ?No. Leave it!? Some dogs learn quickly while others take a little longer.

Another approach for training the dog can also be utilized. This approach uses positive association. Each time the dog is in the same room as the cat, it is provided with extra attention and treats. Soon, the dog realizes having the cat in the room is a good thing because it gets something good out of it. In this way, it positively associates the cat with things that it desires ? affection and tasty treats!

Feeding Time

Even cats and dogs that get along might start fighting during mealtime. Most animals are very protective of their food. In addition, they tend to be quite curious about the food the other animal is enjoying. For this reason, it is best to have separate feeding stations for cats and dogs.

It is best to place the cat?s food in a high, hard to reach area. Otherwise, the dog will have a tendency to eat the cat?s food, or to at least try to eat it. Of course, the food should still be placed in an area the cat can easily reach and eat comfortably. Cats don?t generally try to eat dog food. But, in the case of a cat that does, this behaviour should be discouraged. The best way to do this is to feed the two animals at the same time, but in different places.

It is also important to remember that cat and dog food each have different nutrients, so one should not be used in place of the other. Therefore, it is not only necessary to keep the food separate in order for the pets to live in harmony; it is also necessary to keep them healthy.

For more information on caring for your Cat check out Paul’s site at http://www.basic-cat-care.co.uk.

The phrase dog grooming conjures up an image of expensive salons for pets. It?s true that your pet does not need fancy haircuts, expensive baths or oil treatments. But shunning away the idea of dog grooming is akin to handling your pet with shortsightedness. Your pet?s appearance is a mirror to its overall health and wellbeing. Lack of grooming may lead to major health problems. Dog groomers ensure that your dog not only looks good but feels good as well.

Professional dog groomers suggest basic grooming for eyes, ears, teeth, face, tummy, skin, feet and nails, and coat should be done regularly.

Appropriate eye care entails regular cleansing. Your dog?s eyes should be bright, lustrous and clean. You must ensure that there are no signs of redness or excessive discharge. There is likely to be periodic buildup in the dog?s eye, which must be wiped out with a clean, damp cloth. However, if the discharge is thick or mucous-like, you must consult a veterinarian.

Ear care is also an important aspect of dog grooming. Moisture and dirt buildup inside the pet?s ear is a breeding ground for bacteria. You should trim ear hair and wipe with a clean cloth, thereby ensuring that the ear is kept dry. Any buildup of wax in the ear must be treated immediately, lest an infection sets in. The veterinarian would typically employ a solution to dissolve the ear wax and then cleanse it using a cloth or Q-tip.

Dental hygiene is equally important for your dog as it is for you. Plaque and tartar buildup causes gum disease. It is a common misconception that a balanced diet can prevent gum diseases or other teeth related problems. Cleaning the teeth and gums is highly essential for proper dental care. Dog groomers clean a pet?s teeth and gums in order to prevent unnecessary plaque buildup.

Dog groomers stress on brushing a dog?s coat on a weekly basis. A thick and matted coat encourages bacterial infection and other diseases of the skin, and hence it is all more necessary to keep your dog?s coat clean. Stroking with a soft brush gets rid of dead hair, dander and dirt.

As every dog groomer would suggest, trim your dog?s nails at least once a month. It is a misconception that long hair between the toes would keep your dog?s feet warm in winters. Instead it would collect dirt and grime, and may encourage infection. Therefore, keep the hair trimmed at all times.

Niall Kennedy is a lifelong dog lover and has worked in several pet sanctuaries. Best Pet Health Information is a resource that brings you information about dog grooming. http://www.Best-Pet-Health.info

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Dog agility is a sport in which a dog runs on a course, laid with intermittent obstacles, under the supervision of its owner or trainer. The sport made its debut as an entertainment event for spectators at the Crufts Dog Show in 1979, and has not looked back since then. Dog agility sport now enjoys immense popularity in England, Western Europe and North America. Dog agility is very much modelled on the show jumping sport of horses (equestrian), with a few additions of its own.

There are a lot many different variations of the sport. International rules and specifications have been laid out for the sport, and they require a supreme level of agility from the competing dogs. Trials, which are conducted by dog training clubs, are sanctioned by several national and international organizations. The required level of competence relates directly to the height of jumps and the size of obstacles in a dog agility course. Apart from the dog agility events held at the national/international level, the sport is also carried out at a lower scale in small districts and towns. Here, the rules might not be as stringent as they are at the large scale games.

In a dog agility competition, the obstacles are arranged in various course configurations as deemed suitable by the competition judge. The dog handler/trainer is supposed to direct their dog around the course in a progression predetermined by the judge. As per the rules of agility, the trainer may impart any commands but may not touch the dog or the equipment. Dogs are ?faulted? for taking down a jump bar, taking obstacles out of sequence, running past or stopping before the next obstacle to be performed etc. Moreover, the course needs to be completed in a set time period, or the trainer may face a penalty from the judge.

In dog agility sport, dogs compete against other dogs of similar height. However, the configuration of the course may vary from one organization to another. Regardless of the course layout, the dog with the least number of faults and the fastest completion time wins the competition.

Dog agility training may start at an early stage of a dog?s life. This would help inculcate a sense of timing and discipline from the very start. Pamper your dog with praises, toys and treats so as to motivate it through the advanced levels of training. With proper training, your dog could very well win one of those popular dog agility competitions.

Best Pet Health Information is a resource that brings you information about dog health. http://www.Best-Pet-Health.info Dog News Center - Dog Article Directory - Submit Your Articles Now

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I spotted him in a large metal cage in the cat room lying on his back, drooling. He grinned, as only a cat can, exposing his toothless gums and cat food breath to all as he uttered a pathetic ?meow?. I was immensely impressed with this orange heap of fur that rubbed against the cage and I neared the fascinating creature in an attempt to make friends. I was afraid that somehow he would sense my anxiousness about how incredibly marvelous he appeared to be even though he was obviously lacking in traditional cat beauty. Bright green eyes stared into my small blue ones and begged for a touch, just one touch, like a death row inmate wishing for letters from anyone, just anyone to pass the time. My hand neared his head which I soon found out was dirty and oily from being neglected and I gently pressed my fingers between his striped ears. Purring, he squirmed for more, rubbing his head back and forth against the cage bars and ?meowing? when I stopped for even a second.

He was unlike the other cats in the cat room that day, a unique face and eyes like a lion, staring me down. The other cats just played blissfully, unaware that I held the key to their freedom. This cat knew, he knew that the people who came in and out of his room everyday were not just there to pet his head in between glances at the other cats with whom he shared his space with. He somehow knew that I was there for a purpose and he wanted to be that purpose.

I let my eyes wonder to the other cats, young and old, that occupied the other kennels in the cat room but none of them even compared to the old, ragged bundle of joy that I had come across. This orange cat was different, he watched me fixatedly as I sauntered from cage to cage, eyeing up every cat that I touched. I just knew he was the one and that he would be the best birthday present I would ever receive. Money can?t buy friendship, or so they say. Although how else was I to get this creature into my arms if I didn?t buy him first, we couldn?t be friends through a cage. He seemed to belong on the great plains of Africa stalking Impala with a pride of lions, not trapped between bars in an enclosure so small that it could only have been fit for a mouse. Although I couldn?t give him Africa I could at least give him an area larger then a cage to claim as his own and fifteen pounds could do just that.

I immediately raced over to my mother, ecstatic that I had found a friend so perfect in every way that all my other friends had been swept aside in my search for a soul mate. My mother seeing the smile which broadened across my whole face handed over the money that I needed in order to purchase this lonesome creature. I raced over to the counter in the main entrance to the shelter without a second thought and quickly shuffled my new found friend into my mother?s car. While driving down the M4 and into London I ordered my mother to drive slowly, careful not to upset my companion who occupied the passenger seat in a sturdy cardboard carrier. After spending what had seemed like a lot longer than an hour traveling, we finally arrived home and as soon as his box had been opened he peaked out at his new surroundings, sniffing the air, then looking at me as if he was unsure of this new and exciting place. I mixed him up a plate of food in hope of offering a gesture of friendship and placed it on the floor near him. He made a few circles around the plate and several sniffs later he tucked into his first meal at home. I now felt that he was officially part of the family.

Sharing our days together is one of my most vivid childhood memories. With this friend there were no complaints about the world and its problems or arguments about what radio stations to listen to, just complete enjoyment of each others company, the whole purpose for friendship, without a single word.

Regrettably, some day all friendships have to come to an end however strong they are. Unfortunately for me our friendship ended exactly five years after it had first begun, on my eleventh birthday. I came home from school one day to find my mother wasn?t there to meet me. I remember thinking that it was incredibly impolite of her to desert me on such a special day. It wasn?t until she returned home a couple of hours later that I found out she had spent the day at the vets and that my cuddly, fluffy friend had tragically passed away.

Sadly I have never been able to find a cat that could replace him. All the other pets that I have looked at over the past four years haven?t even compared to him.

Perhaps in the distant future I will be able to find a cat which possesses similar qualities. He may not have been the cutest or the most adorable pet at the animal shelter that day but I certainly couldn?t have a cat which would be more perfect than he had been.

The article was produced by the member of masterpapers.com. Sharon White has many years of a vast experience in freelance writing, custom essays writing and term papers consulting. Feel free to send her your inquiries at Thesis Writing.