Peculiar Pets

People have found shelter and comfort in pets since the beginning of time. Animals have been man's best friend, protector and a source of great pleasure. Dogs, cats, parrots, birds, rabbits and horses are the most commonly kept pets. In societies people keep undisruptive animals. Hardly any house is left that does not have a pet! Pets are considered no less than family members, and hence are given the same shelter, love, food as any of their family is liable to receive. Human nature possesses an inclination towards matchlessness. Peculiar pets are found across the world and by the passage of time their number is increasing. These animals vary from reptiles, endangered species of birds, snakes, lizards, spiders and so on. Rare animals are now managed and controlled and made pleasant, exuberant companions.

There are many people in this world who are fond of being different from others. They crave for anything that is extraordinary and distinct. Dogs have been kept as pets since the begging of time and there is simply no substitute for them. Over the lapse of centuries dogs have earned their status as the man's best friend. There are common dogs and these are poodles, hound dogs etc. There are some dogs that can be categorized as rare dogs because people do not keep them as common pets. Bull terriers and Beardies are two species of rare exotic creatures. Beardie is a dog that was used a long time back as a shepherd dog. Bull terriers are vicious looking dogs and they suit people living in countries sides because they are a good source security. These dogs are a mixed breed of a bull dog and an extinct white English terrier. These dogs are highly aggressive and need their space. They are huge and scary and perfect athletes. They can be particularly friendly towards people.

There are monkeys that aren't still very common but these pets are full of enjoyment. Monkeys can imitate and learn quickly that is the reason people want to keep them as pets now more and more.

There are people who pay thousands to possess boa constrictors and other snakes and keep them as pets, enough to scare a visitor. Spiders such as tarantulas and camel spiders are increasing in number. There are kangaroo cats, iguanas, monitor lizard, etc. Some people also keep panthers, lions as pets and often face dangerous consequences. But however keeping such animals as pets makes people feel extraordinary and distinctive.

Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Pets, Shopping, and Family

Remember Your Pets This Holiday Season

In the Martin household, last Christmas Eve was typical, for a family with two children under six. Marci and Dan got the kids to bed as early as they could manage- which really wasn't early at all, considering all that pre-school adrenaline pumping at the thought of actually catching Santa in the act of dropping down the chimney. Then the young parents spent the next three hours assembling dollhouses and bicycles, installing batteries in video consoles, pushing their inquisitive dog, Jazzy, out of the way, boxing and wrapping new childrens' clothes, and leaving milk and cookies for Santa.

By the time Marci and Dan got to bed they were as exhausted as…well, as parents on Christmas Eve, and they slept like babies, until…

"Mommy!"

Marci woke, as if she'd been slapped-as any mother would. Five-year-old Gina stood by the bed, her eyes wide with excitement.

"I hear him! I hear Santa!"

Marci sighed, started to tell Gina to go back to bed, then she heard it, too. Something downstairs. She poked Dan-he grunted and rolled the other way, still snoring. She jumped up and rushed down the hall to Josh's room. Her four-year-old son was sound asleep, just like his dad. Typical.

There it was, again. Someone-or something-moving around, downstairs. Marci tried to act calm as she put her daughter back to bed, assuring Gina that Santa didn't want to be disturbed. She tried to wake Dan, again-as if.

Realizing that their safety was in her hands, she grabbed a baseball bat from Josh's room (one of those tiny souvenir bats), and crept down the stairs, terrified but determined to protect her family from whatever intruder lurked down there in the darkness-even if it was Santa himself. She tiptoed into the living room, and, prepared to do battle, she flicked on the light-and there he was, calmly sitting in the middle of the room, shredded wrapping paper and torn boxes everywhere.

Jazzy, the beloved family terrier. He stared at Marci with a look that, she later said, she instantly understood to mean: "What about me? Aren't I a part of this family, too? You forgot to walk me, tonight!"

Your pet is a part of your family. Your dog or your cat or your bird lives in a comfort zone, based on the habits of the household, which rarely change, from day-to-day. Your dog is used to being walked at certain times, your cat is used to eating at certain times, your bird is used to the house being empty at certain times. Change in these habits can cause stress, which your pet may respond to in annoying or destructive ways.

The holiday season is full of surprises, for the whole family. Schedules tend to be more fluid than usual, and parties, shopping, or late-night wrapping sessions can divert your attention, causing you to forget Jazzy's walk. But Jazzy won't forget-he knows exactly when he should be circling the block. His only real desire in life is to please you, and in return, all he needs is the assurance that you haven't forgotten him.

He doesn't want to ruin your Christmas Eve. He just wants to be a part of it. Remember Jazzy, or Tabby, or Tweety, as you celebrate this holiday season. They feel joy, too, especially when they feel your love.

Brought to you by Imaginary Greetings, a regular contributor of valuable family oriented articles. To help create the perfect family holiday and for the best selection of animated lighting visit Santa's Official Holiday Lighting Shop.

Your Pets and Allergic Dermatitis

Allergic dermatitis is one of the most common skin diseases that may pester or affect your beloved dogs or cats. You should be informed, however, allergic dermatitis is a serious chronic skin disease that can never be cured, only treated or controlled.

Literally, the term ‘allergic dermatitis’ is derived from root words allergy, which means sensitivity or physical reaction to certain substances, and dermatitis, which means inflammation that is normally and usually exhibited or found in the skin.

Hence, allergic dermatitis can be accurately defined as skin inflammation caused by exposure to strong and harsh substances called ‘allergens’ in medical jargons. These substances are often absorbed through the skin, inhaled or taken in as food.

Symptoms of allergic dermatitis

The most common symptom or sign that your cat or dog is infected with allergic dermatitis is excessive itching. Dogs usually chew, bite, lick or scratch the itchy part of their skin, which will consequently bring about skin redness, open sores or, to your dismay, hair loss.

In dogs and cats, however, sometimes, it will be hard to differentiate if their itching is caused by fleas or allergic dermatitis. If the pet’s itching persist and there are no signs that it is caused by fleas, then, automatically, it is allergic dermatitis.

The most common spots where allergic dermatitis manifests in your pets are the armpit areas, the feet and the face. Be cautious and alert because if allergic dermatitis is not treated immediately, it may infect the entire body. Some pets would also tend to itch, but not indicate any skin problems. In such cases, a visit to the veterinarian would be advised.

Specifically, for dogs, allergic dermatitis is manifested by redness in the face, dark or stained areas on the foot due to licking excessively and oily skin due to chronic rubbing.

Cats do not get allergic dermatitis as frequently as dogs do, but when they are infected with it, some additional symptoms may be observed. Among them are the appearance of small bumps all over the body, lip ulcers, neck excoriation and patches of lost hair.

Causes of allergic dermatitis

Several causes are cited for the occurrence of allergic dermatitis in pets. The most basic is hereditary or genetic factors, meaning, it runs in the pet’s family.

Another is the inhalation or intake of allergens like grass, tree pollens, feathers, cigarette smoke, weed, house dust and wool. Take note that several of these also cause harsh allergic reactions to hyper-sensitive humans.

Treatment

Since allergic dermatitis is treatable but never curable, medications available in the market would only help ease your pet’s discomfort until the symptoms fade away.

It would be best to seek the help of your trusted veterinarian to get prescriptions for such medications and know their accurate and safe administration.

Since medicines for pets are not easily distributed, it would help if you would also ask your veterinarian where the drug shops for pet care are. These drug stores usually practice strict drug distribution practices to secure safety both of the pet and the owner.

Cortisones, antihistamines, anti-fungals and antibiotics are the usual drugs prescribed by veterinarians for pets with allergic dermatitis.

Prevention

To avoid the occurrence of allergic dermatitis in your pets, be sure they would not be exposed to allergens identified.

Clean your house thoroughly to get rid of dusts and pollen that might arouse allergic dermatitis among your pets. Give your pet a good and quick bath after a short outside trip to eliminate pollens and dusts that might have been stuck through their furs.

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Charlene J. Nuble 2006.

For answers to All your frequently asked questions about allergic dermatitis, please go to: http://allergic-dermatitis.allergyanswers.net/