3 Simple Ways for Kids to Support Pet Adoption

It's a fact: most kids love animals, and most kids love helping animals. Why not foster that love for animals early by helping your child support their local animal shelter? Here are three fun and creative ways your child can help animals in need.

Photo credit: thelastresortrescue.com

The "No Gift" Birthday

Most kids already have way too much stuff. The last thing they need is another action figure or doll! Use your child's birthday party as an opportunity to teach him/her "it is better to give than receive" by asking party attendees to provide gifts for the shelter animals rather than gifts for the birthday boy/girl. Contact your local animal shelter to see which supplies are most needed (towels, detergent, food, toys, etc.), and provide a list of those items on the birthday invitation. Some bigger shelters even have a party room to hold birthday events! Your child will be very proud when they deliver all the animal gifts to the shelter, and may even get a feature on the shelter's website thanking them.

Photo credit: my.hsj.org

Classroom Competition

There's nothing wrong with a little healthy competition, especially when it helps out animals in need! Contact your child's school administrator to see about hosting a pet supply drive. To give it a little extra incentive, make it a classroom competition. Whichever class raises the most donations wins! You could also consider a "Can the Principal" type of drive, where pet food donations are placed in the principal's office with the goal of accumulating so many items the principal temporarily loses his office (for a good cause, of course!)

Photo credit: freepik.com

Sack the Stuffed Animals

Somehow kids manage to amass a small army of stuffed animals at an alarming rate. Encourage your child to pick out a few meaningful favorites, and donate the rest to the dogs at your local shelter. Many dogs enjoy carrying around stuffed toys, and even cuddle with them in their pen at the shelter! Make sure you contact your local shelter to ensure they accept this sort of donation before you go herding up bags of plushies, though. It's also best to wash stuffed animals with an unscented detergent and thoroughly dry them before offering them up for donation. Kids might be sad to see some of their stuffed toys go, but they'll be glad to know their old teddy might be keeping a lonely shelter pup company.

Teaching your kids to support shelter animals at an early age will help them learn more about pet adoption and  the importance of practicing kindness to those (both human and animal) in need.

Notables artists in the world of wildlife decor

For lovers of nature and wildlife, wildlife home décor can be a great way to bring the majesty of the outdoors to the comfort of indoors. While a bearskin rug or a mounted sheep’s head may not be the sort of style you’re going for, there are plenty of decorating ideas that incorporate wildlife and bring elegance to the home. Here are a few artists and companies who are notable trendsetters in wildlife décor and design:

Lorraine Coyle

Lorraine Coyle is the artist behind Evergreen Crystal. She brings her love for wildlife to vivid, sparkling life in her work on crystal and glass. Her etched glasswork is the perfect display item or functional piece for use in a home-bar; from shot glasses to wine decanters, Evergreen Crystal is gorgeous glasswork.

Nancy Weimer Belden

Nancy Weimer Belden is a sculptor specializing in horses. Her statues and lamp bases are incredibly detailed and lifelike, and cast in resin or bronze. Nancy sculpts horses of all breeds, and has a true talent for capturing the natural beauty and elegance of equines in her work. All of Nancy Weimer Belden’s sculptures are crafted by artisans in the United States

Robert Hall Parry

Robert Hall Parry (of Robert Hall Originals) uses the unique medium of pewter for his art. In fact, he is a Master Pewtersmith (one of the few in his native Canada). Robert has a variety of décor items available from picture frames to wall hangings, all gracefully presented with the soft yet detailed look of pewter. Every piece is hand-cleaned and hand-buffed to further accentuate the beauty of the pewter.

Kingspoint Design

If you’re into bright colors, Kingspoint Design and their vividly enameled figurine boxes will be right up your alley! Each figurine box is not only a gorgeous sculpture, but a functional box for storage of small items like jewelry. For dog lovers, many different breeds of dogs are available in Kingspoint’s collections. However, many species of wildlife are also represented including horses, polar bears, and other Arctic wildlife. To add even extra bling to the pearlized enamel, every figurine box is accented with Swarovski Crystals. Kingspoint Design also offers matching jewelry sets.

Bow River

Okay, okay…so Bow River’s gifts don’t quite count as “home décor”. I can’t help it, I still had to share! Bow River creates adorable custom jewelry sure to delight any horse fanatic. Bow River uses talented carvers to create intricate, delicate charms like horseshoes and horse silhouettes in gold, white gold, and sterling silver. In addition to necklaces, Bow River offers rings, earrings, and other jewelry accented with sparkling diamonds.

Trail of Painted Ponies

Much like Kingspoint Design, Trail of Painted Ponies is all about bold, bright colors. As the name would indicate, Trail of Painted Ponies specializes in three-dimensional horse statuettes and ornaments. Far from the realism portrayed by some other makers, these statues and ornaments are often whimsically decorated with swirling, lively, fun designs. For horse fanatics, it will be hard to pick which one is your favorite!  

Cute and funny gifts for cat lovers

Face it...the holidays are coming up before you know it! Here are few cute, funny, quirky gifts Mad About Pets has come across that are perfect for the cat lover in your life. (FYI, all product descriptions from Amazon!- click on product name for more info)

Cat Pencil Sharpener

$15.00- Keep your pencils pointed with the hilarious meowing cat pencil sharpener. Insert a pencil into the cat's rear-end and it meows in protest while you sharpen. Wouldn't you ? A fun desk accessory that will have the whole office yowling. Assorted colors-- black or white Made of sturdy plastic Measures approximately 6" H x 4" L Convenient "litter box" tray collects shavings No battery required--features an internal sound chip Packaged in a clear plastic gift box

Stealing Coin Cat Piggy Bank

$15.00- Cute coin bank, place coin on "fish" and watch the mechanical arm grab the coin. 

Features: 

Mechanical kitten and puppy steal your coins to help you save up

Also a fine ornament on the desk or table.

Kitty pops out of the box to steal your coins.

Perfect children's gift and can teach the importance of saving money.

Crazy Cat Lady Action Figure

$9.00- Crazy Cat Lady Action Figure includes: Every town has a Crazy Cat Lady. She is the one who lives in a tiny house full of feral felines. This 5-1/4in. (13.3 cm) tall, hard vinyl Crazy Cat Lady Action Figure has a wild look in her eye and comes with six cats.

Cat Butt Magnet Set

$10.00- Just watch your cat lovers connect with this charming, magnetic mini kit! Five popular breeds immortalized on die-cut magnets with a bonus hairball piece, too! The Educational North American Cat Butts Field Guide rounds out this epic gift opportunity from the Blue Q gang.

Cat and Goldfish Clock

• $40.00
• Metal Case
• Quartz movement
• Arabic Numbering
• Black metal hands

Cute Cat Case for Apple iPhone 4/ 4G/ 4S

• $6.00
• Made of high quality silicone; Extremely durable
• Precise openings for easy access to your phones features
• Stylish cover will protect your phone from scratches

Kitty Cat Ears Hat

• $20.00
• 100% natural wool.
• Fleece lined interior of hat.
• Adult size.

Laurel Burch Spotted Cats Tote

$29.00- These Laurel Burch totes are designed with her magically uplifting whimsical creatures. The bright colors, fun images and the practical construction of these totes make them popular all over the world. Features-10 by 15-1/2 by 4-inch, cotton shoulder straps, main zipper closure, a 6 by 6-1/2-inch zippered pocket with a removable bottom support. Spotted Cats is constructed of heavy canvas with bead accents and includes one canvas and one wooden charm. Imported.

T.U.K. Women's Cat Mary Jane

$45.00- With its chunky sole and unique design, the A8037L is enough to make you purr with content. With every step, you're walking with your best paw forward thanks to an adorable cat design at the toe, but that's just the tip of the tail. Continuing on the feline theme is a stitched-on tail, wiggling its way up the counter. There's no doubt about it. This shoe is the cat's meow.

Cat Hair Clips

$12.00- By Pylones Hair Accessories - Pylones Hair De Paris Pinces A Cheveux Hair Clips Cat

If you do just one thing today, do this...

Vote for Critter Camp in Chase's charitable giving giveaway! Click here---> bit.ly/Qez0IZ

Critter Camp is an exotic animal rescue in northern Illinois that gives abused, abandoned and neglected exotic animals a place to call home. Owner and operator Beth Randall pours her heart and soul into this rescue, as you can see by the interview Mad About Pets did with her a while back.

It takes just 2 seconds to vote, and could make all the difference for this great rescue! If you can share the voting link and get just one other person to vote, you will also get a bonus vote. If you're a Chase cardholder--even better! You get 2 extra votes!

Thank you for your help from Mad About Pets, Beth Randall, and the hundreds of exotic pets saved by Critter Camp every year!

A Beginners Guide to Horse-care

Owning a horse can be an incredibly rewarding and fun experience, but it comes with responsibility. A lot of care needs to be taken when choosing a horse, especially when it is the first time one is being bought. It is easy to get excited and carried away by color, size or temperament of a horse and regret their decisions later.

Take time, look around at all the possibilities. Spend time with him/her and get to know the personality of the horse. Once you break in and start a relationship, the whole impression of a horse change, and often it is clear which one is the right choice.

Photo credit: thehorsepedia.com

Things to consider when buying a horse:

• It is generally better for a first time owner to start with an older horse, as a young horse will require a lot more training and can be more difficult to handle

• Heaver riders need larger, sturdier horses, and short riders might consider ponies or other small breeds

• Look for a clean and healthy coat, signs of sores and swelling and clear, clean eyes

• A beginner would do well to take the honest opinion of a trainer, concerning the riders skill level and horse compatibility

• A horse that stands still for inspection is a good sign and a good candidate for a beginner

• Ask for the whole history of the horse and if anything sounds doubtful, consult with a veterinarian

• While spending time with the horse, watch for signs of lameness or bad behaviour

• When the right horse has been found, make another appointment and take someone more experienced, so it can be made sure nothing is over looked

• Make sure the horse has had all necessary vaccinations, continue to give them as needed

Photo credit: equinejustice.org

Relationship and Trust

Spending time with the horse is the best way to cultivate trust and develop a bond. It is best to not rush this important phase of building a relationship, as it is fundamental to the future happiness and fun that can be received from the horse as well as given.

To start with, provide consistency and routine with food, water, shelter and grooming. Grooming is a great time to bond, as it can feel as good for the horse as it is pleasurable for the owner. When grooming, be sure to start with techniques that the horse already knows and add, or change, things slowly as the relationship and confidence increases.

The most important thing around a horse is calmness and rhythm. Whether walking, talking, brushing, saddling the horse or swinging a rope, it should always be done with a calm and steady rhythm. Horses will perceive any excitement, or surprises, as a threat.

Maintaining a Clean Environment in the Stable

Horses need space and light in their stables, as they are not happy spending too much time in the dark. It is vital that the stable is kept clean, in order to prevent mildew and bacteria and not let it become a heaven for parasites. All of which could lead to serious illness and infection for the horse.

A stable that is about 400 square feet per horse is a good size. Important requirements for a stable to ensure the horse stays healthy are:

• A good drainage system so the faeces and urine can easily be removed

• Well ventilated; fresh air will help reduce dust mites and mildew

• Clean bedding, there is now a variety of bedding form which to choose

If a horse is not comfortable and happy in its stable, then it will never settle down and get the rest it needs. This means a grumpy horse that will not heed to any training, and a lot of frustration for the owner. If horse and owner are unhappy, it is a recipe for disappointment and a long struggle, so it is essential that the horse’s basic comforts and needs are met.

Photo credit: equinesaltlicks.com

Feeding 

Horses are essentially grazing animals, so the bulk of their food should be hay and forage. As long as it is good quality, it is enough to maintain their nutritional needs, and supplements may only need to be given occasionally. A horse eats about two to four per cent of its body weight every day. This can increase in winter.

It is also vital that the horse has access to clean water at a comfortable temperature at all times. A healthy mature horse can drink up to 12 gallons a day. Adequate water intake is necessary for their digestive system.

A horse also needs salt in its diet; either by having a salt block to lick on, or fed loose white salt. This is just as important in hot climates as it is during winter.

Hayley works at Anything Equine, In her spare time she writes helpful advice and tips for beginner riders on a range of topics including equestrian health conditions and pasture management. 

DIY Dog Toys You Can Make Today

If you’ve visited any pet stores lately, you’re probably aware that pet toys are expensive—not just expensive, but ridiculously simple to replicate at way less than $10 a pop. If your dog is anything like mine, she has little regard for how pricey a new toy was for you—she just knows she wants to destroy it in the shortest amount of time possible. (I have one particularly sour memory of a really cute, really expensive stuffed hedgehog toy that was annihilated in a matter of hours.) So why not make the toys yourself? You’ll be less grumpy when your furry friend has gone through them, and you’ll save a ton of money. You probably already have most of these things around the house—more money saved.

The Classic Sock Ball

Put a tennis ball inside the toe area of a sturdy sock. Tie a knot in the sock on top of the ball. Voila: many games of fetch and tug-of-war are in store. (Note: it’s probably best to get socks you haven’t worn from a thrift store or a super store—otherwise your pet might come to identify your scent as chew-approved.)

Homemade Kong

Kongs are one of my dog’s favorite toys—they’re great to chew on, and it’s a challenge for her to get her snacks out of them. I like them because they’re reusable—but I also like a version I can make myself. Put a couple of small snacks in a sturdy sock and ball the sock up. Put the first sock inside of another sock and tie a knot in the outer sock. This toy will keep your dog occupied for a good amount of time—you can relax for an hour or two.

Frugal Teddy

If your kids (or, hey, you) have any stuffed animals that don’t get much use or love anymore, those toys are sure to get tons of love and attention from your dog. Just cut a slit in the stuffed animal, remove the stuffing (because it can be dangerous if your dog ingests it), and sew it back up. My dog has a hollow moose toy that she alternately nurtures like a puppy and violently flings around by its neck—and it’s been around for a couple of years.

Sturdy Rope Toy

I can’t even count how many synthetic rope toys my dog has gone through at this point—but I do know they were all overpriced! You can emulate the ever-appealing rope toy in two ways. You can take a used kitchen or hand towel and cut two slits along its length, then braid. When you knot the loose ends, you’ll have made a braid that your dog will cherish for weeks…but hopefully longer. Another way to do this: take a long strip of fabric and knot it in the center. Make another knot around the first, and then continue knotting until you have a colossal knot. Trim of excess fabric from the ends and watch your dog go to town on what was formerly scrap material. (This toy is really good for puppies who are teething.)

Brandy Martin writes about pet health and care, and works with two animal clinics in Oklahoma City. For dog grooming Oklahoma City offers specialist at Pet-Vet Supply and visit PMC of Edmond for dog boarding in Edmond OK.

"Charlie: A Love Story" is a touching story of life, love, and loss

Charlie & Barbara Lampert

“Charlie: A Love Story”, by Barbara Lampert, is the story of love, illness, and loss between the author and her beloved Golden Retriever, Charlie. Barbara is an avid gardener and was journaling the progress of her huge garden and landscaped yard, but as Charlie began getting sick with a myriad of illnesses, the journal became as much about his struggles as it did about gardening.


For anyone who has ever lost a pet or struggled with a pet’s lengthy illness, Charlie’s story is a tough one. Having dealt with a pet with an extended illness myself, I sympathized with the emotions Barbara was going through in an all-too-real way. The constant ups and downs, worrying if you’re making the right decisions, hoping for more time with your beloved pet but realizing nothing lasts forever…the feelings are raw, deep, and unforgettable.

“Charlie: A Love Story” is a perfect portrait of the emotional depth of love we can feel for our pets, and a testament to the lengths we will go to ensure our pets can stay with us just a few, precious moments longer. It proves how those of us who love animals can have multiple pets and love them all equally, but still have a particularly special bond form with one pet that sets them apart from the others. It is also a testament to the strong, positive spirit that animals can possess even when their pain and sickness becomes too much for their humans to emotionally bear.

If there is one criticism of “Charlie: A Love Story”, it is that perhaps the journal entries heavy on gardening talk may not be universally interesting to all readers. There is much discussion of different sorts of plants, and readers unfamiliar with them (or with no interest in gardening) may find themselves skimming through the descriptions. Those interested in Charlie's story alone (and not the garden journal backstory) may find their interest wandering during these passages.  However, even for those without interest in horticulture, the sheer joy and relaxation her yardwork brings to the author is palpable. I found myself picturing Barbara’s garden, and wishing I could sit on the soft grass with a loving Golden Retriever by my side. I understood the tranquility and bliss that Barbara must have felt.

A word of warning: you WILL need tissues when you read this book. I found myself raising the book up to eye level so that my husband wouldn’t catch my eyes welling up with tears every few chapters. It was hard not to re-live the emotions I felt during my own pet’s extended illness, and I expect it would be hard for anyone who has lost a pet not to do the same. At the same time, it reminded me of the special bond I felt with my own pet and allowed me to experience that special love again.