Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Animals as Gifts - Why Not?

If a person were to follow the correct procedures I don’t see a thing wrong with animals as gifts. Some will say an animal should never be given as a present. What would make a mature child happier than a pet for Christmas?

Now, I am not suggesting the gift of a pet should be given on the day of Christmas with the general chaos that seems to go along with a holiday. It would be stressful and even perhaps dangerous to the animal. The child and the animal wouldn’t have the proper bonding time.

So how do you give an animal as a gift? Mainly you use exceptional planning. First of all, you need to determine the appropriate pet for your situation and for the child’s maturity. Many eight-year-old children aren’t mature enough for a pet, where there could be some five-year-olds that are mature enough for a pet. What is your housing situation? Does everyone work or go to school during the day where the pet would be alone the majority of the time? These are essential things to consider before making the all-important decision of what species of pet.

How much can you afford to spend on an animal? Some will be more expensive to maintain than others will. However, all are equally important when it comes to health-related issues. You must have money set aside for emergency veterinarian care. I don’t care if it is a mouse, Guinea pig or a dog; all animals are just as exceptional –no animal is a throw-away pet. They all deserve proper care and medical treatment.

I personally think a pet is a great way to encourage responsibility. You as a parent have to follow through to make sure the child is taking care of the animal. That doesn’t mean if Sally or Tommy didn’t walk the dog, water the Guinea pig, feed the rat, or clean the cat’s litter box that you should do it. It means you make sure these crucial tasks are done. If they have not, you have Sally or Tommy do it that very moment. It is essential that the animal is provided with fresh water every day. Find the time or times of day for the child to take care of pet tasks and make sure they are done at that time. This provides the all-important structure for the child and learning conscientiousness.

Pet gifting on a holiday is possible; as long as the pet isn’t given on the holiday. Say perhaps that you would like to buy your child a gerbil for Christmas. This is of course after you have discussed different pets with your child. You buy the cage, water bottle, food, toys, exercise wheel, chew wood, and other necessary items to properly care for the gerbil.

The most important item would be a book for you and your child to learn to properly care for the pet. You will also use other reference tools such as the library and the Internet. This is the time to spend quality time with your child by doing this research as a team. You both have learned everything there is about this animal before you bring it into your house.

Having the necessary items ahead of time gives the child the task of setting up a proper environment for the animal before bringing the pet home. After they have learned about their new pet, set up the environment, and one more important detail, found a veterinarian to care for the pet for all its medical needs.

Now, you determine a day to pick up the new pet. You of course, already have paid a deposit, or know that for a fact the breeder or store has the animal available.

A pet builds confidence an animal can be your child’s best friend, a confidant. A pet will listen and never judge. An animal may be just what your child needs.

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Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Thanksgiving Turkeys – No Recipe Needed

Somehow I just can’t see my Thanksgiving turkey all hot and naked sitting on my dining room table. After my first experience with a turkey, I have learned to see them in a whole new light. A perfect recipe for a Thanksgiving turkey is healthy food, fresh water, free range, a safe and clean place to live and plenty of love.

While we were still living near Sacramento, CA, I wanted to go visit a favorite place from my youth William Land Park. I remember a lot of beautiful adventures there from the zoo to Fairytale Town. I had always enjoyed both as a child, and I also took my children there while they were small. It is like a magic wand circles your head, and you are in a land of make-believe from Humpy Dumpty to birthday parties in the magic castle.

However, my favorite part was the animals, one animal, in particular, a turkey that insisted on following me through the entire park. After a while, I stopped and was amazed when he let me pet him. I was even more surprised when he flared his beautiful tail for me. I am pretty sure it was love at first site. I had kind of hoped he would follow me to the car. Fairytale Town introduced me to several animals I'd eventually have! A goose once followed me around the park, a magic kingdom indeed!

Since I was smitten with an animal, it wasn’t long before I had to buy turkey eggs for my incubator. I just loved that incubator. Some of my best friends hatched there, from ducks to geese, to turkeys. My kids enjoyed the incubator too, what a valuable lesson for children.

After they hatched, I kept them warm with a heat lamp until they were old enough to live outside, to free range the open ranch. As soon as they heard the house door open, the turkey would come gobbling up to the door. They would follow me throughout the day as I did my chores. As did the geese, and ducks I had hatched in an incubator.

Once you meet a turkey and get to know it as a living being, it is tough to think of them as a meal. I certainly have nothing against other people enjoying their Thanksgiving turkey different from me. Unfortunately my husband and family do enjoy a turkey dinner.

I will always remember those extraordinary days with my turkeys and modicum of other animals; those were days I will never forget.

Have a happy Thanksgiving, enjoy your families, and enjoy those special memories that make our lives so rich!

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My Ferret Book Guides and Exotic Pet Books Guides

Exotic Pets: Family Guide Paperback and Kindle. Available on Kindle Unlimited!

Ferrets: A Complete Guide is available in Kindle, paperback and Kindle Unlimited!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Exotic Pets - Mother Earth - Be Proactive!

We are losing the right to own exotic pets. We have caused some of the problems ourselves. What can we do? Be responsible be proactive! Exotic Pets - Mother Earth - Be Proactive!

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Scorpions as Pets

Have you had scorpion encounters of any kind? Have you had an exotic pet scorpions. Lots of people have arachnids as exotic pets! At Exotic Pets BellaOnine you will find lots of arachnids!

Scorpions

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Winter Blizzards - Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Are you prepared to protect your pets from the cold? Do you understand carbon monoxide poisoning; it can kill animals, as well as humans, a silent but deadly killer. Winter Blizzards - Carbon Monoxide Poisoning





Diana Geiger Exotic Pets BellaOnline Editor on

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Birds of Prey – Falconry

The ancient art of falconry is far from a lost skill, alive and well in the US, and around much of the world. The proficiency takes a lot of dedication. In this world of instant gratification, cell phones, and computers, I hope it doesn’t become a lost art. I have gained a tremendous amount of esteem for falconers and hawkers, in addition to the respect they have for a wild bird and the incredible relationship that develops. Not the warm fuzzy relationship we have with many exotic pets but the working relationship that falconers and hawkers experience. Read the article...


Birds of Prey – Falconry