Cattle

Posts Tagged ‘reference’

The normal gestation period of a Siamese Cat is about sixty-five days, although this may vary a day or two either side. I like to use day two of the honeymoon as my conception date though with experience of my own girls I may modify this to suit the girl or line in question. I have a useful tool on my website which I call my Feline Gestation Calculator, this may be of use when calculating when your girl is due to have her kittens.

It can be a very exciting and very worrying time when awaiting newborn kittens and I hope some of the worry is taken out of the experience with the aid of this free online tool for working out when the kittens are due to be born. Unfortunately I find that my cats tend not to use a computer when deciding when their kittens are due but prefer to suit themselves. Hopefully though my article and online gestation calculator should help narrow the time to within a couple of days when working out time off from work.

It is not unusual for a maiden queen to go as much as 67 days. If your cat has not given birth by day 72 I would recommend veterinary advice.

Once your Siamese Queen has given birth to her Kittens it may be useful to compare their development with some of the kittens at Burnthwaites Siamese by looking at the online kitten diaries that are constantly updated on the website. I find this a useful point of reference when watching a kittens development.

Do you know that Pet sitters offer an option that often works out as the best solution for Rover’s care while you are away from home?

The simple truth is your dog does not like to be left alone anymore than you like leaving him! Be it a day, a week or "heavens" even longer. What will make his life a lot less stressful on these occasions, and give you peace of mind, is the presence of a pet sitter who can play with him, walk him, feed him and generally make him happy.

And who doesn’t want to come home to a happy dog snoring peacefully because his needs have been met. Not to mention, a house that isn’t torn up because Rover got bored and lonely.

On another note, not all dogs enjoy going on trips. Oh, I know they may appear enthusiastic and eager at the outset, but this behavior can turn into restless anxiety as a car ride becomes a journey into unfamiliar territory. And Rover may wish you’d left him at home where he feels safe.

While it’s nice if you have a friend or neighbor who will pop in on your dog while you are away, if there is any kind of emergency, you’ll pat yourself on the back for having hired a qualified pet sitter to take charge.

Another comforting part about hiring pet sitters is that you won’t have to break the mold and confuse your dog’s day-to-day routine. Things will stay pretty much the same, including his food and the time of day he is used to eating. You know, the important stuff!

A dog sitter visits on a regular schedule to feed and walk your dog. Or, if you wish, can actually stay in your home to make it look occupied when you are gone for extended periods. Some caretakers also offer pricing options that include taking care of a few chores as well. It’s your choice.

So what are the top reasons, dog owners consider pet sitters?

One of the most obvious reasons, is that you like to take road trips and Rover has a problem with motion sickness. He also finds boarding facilities stressful places to hang out while you are gone.

But let’s suppose…

• You have a busy job with irregular hours
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• You don’t like to leave your dog alone even for short periods because he is old, or not in the best of health
• Your dog is a homebody
• Your health is frail and you need a regular dog walker
• You like the idea of combining pet sitting with house sitting, which some services offer

Do any of those circumstances resonate with you?

Where to Find Pet Sitters, House Sitters, Dog Walkers & More: Many "independent" pet sitters can be found through your vet’s referral. As part of your review process, you’ll definitely want to check their references and also find out if they have taken the extra step of acquiring a professional certification.

Another route is through agencies where sitters have registered and listed their qualifications, availability, location, experience, references, and pricing. This can all be done in a very confidential manner.

Some agencies also offer a complete range of complimentary services including nannies, elder care, house sitters and dog walkers. This might be attractive to you if you have an elderly relative living with you who also needs some help while you’re gone.

So, next time your dog needs a caretaker for whatever reason, don’t overlook the convenient option of pet sitters. Once you have a few pre-screened individuals, you could try one of them out for just a short term hire to see how your dog enjoys the experience.

The Burmese is a relatively modern breed of cat to Europe and the United States of America. Nevertheless, it is one of the most popular breeds. The Burmese is playful, affectionate, active and talkative, which makes the breed a real winner among cat owners.

The Origins of the Burmese

The breed comes from the country formerly known as Burma, now known as Myanmar. In its native Myanmar, the Burmese is known as Copper Cat and for hundreds of years the cat was worshipped in Burmese temples. The breed is also referenced in The Cat Book of Poems, published in Siam (now Thailand) between the years 1350 and 1767. Therefore, the Burmese cat had established itself as a firm favorite in the East centuries before it was introduced to Europe and North America.

In fact, it was not until 1930 that the Burmese was brought into the U.S. by retired naval doctor Joseph Thompson. During his retirement, Thompson spent time living in Tibet, as a Buddhist monk, where he became captivated by Eastern cats. Thompson bred a Burmese cat with a Siamese to distinguish the Burmese as a breed in its own right, rather than a variant of the Siamese.

Consequently, today, all of the Burmese living in Europe and North America are related to one common ancestor, Wong Mau, who was introduced to the Western world by Thompson. To begin with, he had trouble getting the Burmese accepted as a genuine breed, because Siamese breeders felt that the cat was merely an oddly colored Siamese that would pollute the gene pool. After being recognized as a breed by the Cat Fanciers’ Association, in 1936, the recognition was later rescinded, in 1947, only to be reinstated in 1953.

How to Recognize a Burmese

One of the most striking features of the Burmese is its strong muscular bulk, which leads some to describe it as a ‘brick wrapped in silk’. This also refers to the breed’s very soft, silky coat, which can be solid in color or pointed. A pointed coat has patches of color on the legs, ears, face and tail, similar to that seen on a Siamese.

There are three different types of Burmese:

Contemporary (the most popular)

Traditional (is most similar to the original Myanmar)

European or ‘Foreign’ (slimmer than the other two types of the breed)

Personality

The character and temperament of the Burmese is one of the principal reasons for its popularity. Typically, a Burmese cat is very affectionate, playful, intelligent and loyal. Unlike some breeds of cat, the Burmese is not particularly independent and enjoys the company of humans. Therefore, it is not advisable to own one if he, or she, will be left alone for extended periods during the day.

According to owners of the breed, the females tend to be more adventurous and active, whereas the males are more mellow and laidback. Like Siamese, the Burmese cat can be very noisy with a range of calls, cries and meows. However, typically, the sounds are not as loud as a Siamese’s are.

Potential Health Problems

There are not many health issues for a Burmese and one, which occurs in kittens, is easily fixed. Cherry eye, which is an issue with the cat’s third eyelid, can be a problem for Burmese kittens, but simply surgery can rectify the issue.

The only other common health problem in Burmese is gingivitis. Owners should, therefore, be prepared to ensure that their cat receives preventative dental care. Less common health issues are cranial deformities, weepy eyes and breathing problems, which can arise in the Contemporary Burmese, but does not seem to affect the Traditional and European breeds.

If you like the sound of the Burmese cat, ensure that you do some further research on the breed before welcoming one into your family. It is also wise to seek out a reputable breeder or adopt a cat through a local rescue center.

The Bichon Frise (pronounced ‘Bee-Shone Freeze’) is a curly all-white dog with a puffball appearance and a very puffy head. It has been around since the 1300’s, and throughout their history they have been popular among Italian sailors, the Italian and French royal courts, and eventually with French street performers. Their name ‘Bichon Frise’ is in reference to their curly white coat.

Their diverse history of human companionship is proof of the Bichon Frise’s easy going temperament. These Non-Sporting dogs are independent, gallant, and full of energy. The Bichon loves people and is happiest when he is in his owners company. However, the Bichon Frise is also friendly to strangers, adores playing with children and doesn’t mind other family pets.

The Bichon is intelligent and is easy to train. By nature, he is a natural worker, which is why he got along well with street performers and made a wonderful circus dog once upon a time. This also means that the Bichon can be quite the little clown and enjoys learning tricks.

As was previously mentioned, the Bichon Frise is covered from head to tail in a curly white coat. His coat does not shed, making him a great companion for those who suffer from allergies. Nonetheless, the coat of the Bichon needs daily brushing to keep it free from mats. He will also need a monthly bath, and will require a full coat clipping every few months.

Since the Bichon’s coat gives him such a fluffy appearance, you may be surprised to learn that he isn’t as large as he may appear. For instance, the height of the Bichon Frise only reaches 12 inches and they weigh between 7 ‘ 12 pounds.

It is important to keep a Bichon in trim shape to avoid the possibility of him becoming overweight. This is best achieved by feeding him a sufficient diet and providing him with significant exercise. Because of his size, and the fact that they can happily live in an apartment, one may think that the Bichon does not need too much exercise. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The Bichon Frise enjoys being active and likes talking long walks and the freedom to run around in the open.

Those interested in the Bichon Frise will discover that he is a long lived companion with an average life expectancy of 15 years or more. Bichons have a few hereditary problems such as cataracts, ear ailments, knee dislocation and epilepsy. Nonetheless, the Bichon is still one of the more healthy breeds available today.

The Bichon Frise will become miserable if left along frequently. He loves to be included in the activities of his family and owner as much as possible. Human companionship is what makes the Bichon a happy go lucky canine and the best friend you could ask for.

If you are looking out for a purebred dog, you will probably want to find a breeder from whom you should purchase the animal. You might think that it is as easy as looking into the classified section of your newspaper, but you will want to be certain that the breeder you choose is reputable. There are a number of ways of determining whether the breeder you have chosen knows enough, is professional, trustworthy and reliable.

Seek References
A good breeder should be able to give you references of the clients he has previously worked with. These people who had purchased a puppy and utilized a stud service should be more than willing to share their experience with you. It is always safe to choose a breeder who was used by a person you know. If your family member or friend was satisfied with the breeder and the service, chances are that you will be satisfied too.

Be prepared for questions
You know your breeder is good if he or she has as many questions to ask you, as you have to ask them. A good breeder is always dedicated to the dog’s welfare and will want to place the dog he or she breeds with the right people. Some of the questions you can expect are whether you have children, the size of your home and yard, and other related questions that can help them determine what kind of dog is suitable for you and also if you can provide the required environment and atmosphere for the dog. If your breeder does not ask you these kind of questions, he or she is probably just out for the money and you probably do not want to seek the services of such a breeder. A good breeder always thinks of the welfare of both the client and the dog.

Guarantees
The breeder you choose should check the puppy for potential health risks before selling you the animal. There are, however, some problems that go undetected till too late. For instance, if you are purchasing a golden retriever, and 6 months later discover that it suffers from hip dysplasia (a defect in the hip joints of the animal, virtually undetectable till several months after birth), your breeder should be willing to issue you a refund, no strings attached. These kinds of genetic disorders can be avoided by using selective breeding (there is a 25%-85% chance that hip dysplasia in a dog is genetic), but it is possible for the pup to suffer from such disorders even if it was absent in the parents.

Other sources
Besides searching for a dog breeder in the newspaper and the internet, they can also be found through references from veterinarian’s offices, dog shows and pet supply stores. Dog shows are one of the best places to find good breeders, as usually the breeders who attend them are showing one of their own dogs or have come to see one of their clients dogs.