The puppies featured in the calendar are rescues from several different groups such as Karma Rescue, Adopt-a-Chow, and PAL Rescue, and many of them are still available for adoption. A portion of the proceeds from the calendar will be donated to these rescue groups!

About the company, which is “created by women for women,” co-founder Audrey Khuner says: “I got sick of seeing pictures and calendars of bikini-clad girls sprawled out on sports cars. I wanted to make something that would appeal to women like me. So I decided to combine my two favorite things: sexy men and baby animals.”

The 12 month calendar features full color shots of some hunky guys posing with cuddly animals, and is even printed with soy-based inks on 30% post-consumer recycled paper.

The calendar, which would make a great gift, can be found at hotguysandbabyanimals.com, and can be purchased for $12.99 plus shipping (and you can even buy in bulk!).

[image used with permission from hotguysandbabyanimals.com]

Post from: Blisstree

Hot Guys and Baby Animals

What made them so cool and exciting (and different from say, a stuffed animal), was that you were getting feedback from the “pet,” and could respond accordingly. However, my friend said that she didn’t like the thought of virtual pets because she didn’t think they taught kids the right things about pet care and responsibility, that because there were no real consequences kids wouldn’t give a second thought to tossing the toy, and eventually a real pet, away when they were tired with it.

With this Christmas’s toy of choice being something similar – a furry, mechanical hamster that can run through tubes (am I the only one tired of hearing about Zhu Zhu Pets?) – I remembered my friend’s take on the toys, and it’s got me thinking about it again.

As a parent now, I can see her point, but I’ve also seen first hand that my kids do know the difference between their real pets that require feeding, grooming and care, as opposed to the virtual pet toys they’ve had (including the aforementioned Tamagotchi).

What do you think? Do you think these virtual toy pets make it too easy for kids to think real pets are just as disposable?

[image: amazon]

Post from: Blisstree

Do Virtual Pets Breed Irresponsibility?

Image: sxc.hu

The gifts are food treats or a toy.  But children in our family throughout the years have enjoyed sharing gifts with their pets.  Seeing the dog, who senses there is something for her, ripping the wrappings and tossing the toys usually provides laughter for the youngsters…and picture taking opportunities.

These occasions create more holiday memories for the family, with photos to share in later years with children and grandchildren.

Do your pets enjoy the holidays with you?

Post from: Blisstree

Kids’ Christmas Gifts for Pets

Willow Tree Angel: With Affection I adore the Willow Tree collection and own several, and this sweet angel holding a cat is on my wishlist this year.

This adorable Chester the Cat Teapot (with matching mug and salt and pepper shakers) makes me wish I drank tea!

I love calendars and for reasons I’m not even sure of, I tend to have several throughout the year. This 2010 calendar features “Bad Cats” in humorous situations.

Learn about the traditions and history of the Lucky Cat, a popular symbol of prosperity and good fortune across Asia and the world, in a hardcover book. Then check out the Lucky Cat figurines.

This Amazon seller has dozens of resin ornaments and figurines, perfect for any collector. Of course, I especially like the Chihuahua and rat terrier ornaments!

Show everyone who your best friend is with this adorable Dog Lover coffee mug.

I love these dog paw car stickers! The set of eight stickers costs less than $4 (including shipping!) and attaches cleanly to any smooth, hard surface.

Of course, we can’t forget the dogs when it comes time to look for a 2010 calendar. This one, like the cat calendar above, also features silly dogs in compromising situations!

[images: amazon.com; custom]

Post from: Blisstree

2009 Gift Guide for the Cat and Dog Lover

Now, I’ve always liked the idea of having a lizard or snake as a pet, but I know they wouldn’t be a good fit for our family. I know that the bigger a snake gets, the bigger their meals need to get, and though I’m not squeamish about feeding them what they need (my first job at a pet store involved culling baby mice to feed to the snake population) and I don’t take offense to the circle of life and all that, I do know that it’s just not feasible for us to have to be running down to the pet store every so often for a fresh supply, and I don’t like the thought of keeping any in the freezer, either!

Feeding issues aside, there are some animals that just don’t make great pets, period, especially beginner pets for kids (experienced adults are on their own ). The video above from CBS talks about some of these pets, and how people buy them thinking they’re so cute and small, but get a big surprise within a short time!

Post from: Blisstree

Reptiles That Don’t Make Good Pets

Instead of serving your family turkey for the fourth or fifth night in a row, you can incorporate some of the white meat into treats for your dog. It’s easy, healthy and will use up some of the excess! Make sure you use just the white meat with no skin.

The-Day-After Turkey Omelet
from thepoop.com

1 egg
1-2 tbsp. mashed potatoes
1/2 cup diced cooked turkey meat
1/2 cup cooked vegetables, chopped
1/4 cup desired cheese, grated

~ Heat a medium-sized pan with a small amount of olive oil.

~ Whisk together the egg and potatoes. Spread in pan.

~ Place turkey and veggies on top in even layers. Cover; simmer until egg cooks and the mixture is warm.

~ Sprinkle cheese on top, then cook a few more minutes until cheese is melted and egg is golden brown. Let cool.

~ Cut into wedges. Store in refrigerator.

[image: flickr]

Post from: Blisstree

Leftover Turkey Treats for Your Dog

Don’t forget to check out the Thanksgiving pet safety tips from both last year and this year, especially on feeding dogs bones.

There’s also the National Dog Show today after the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC, and check out the after Thanksgiving pet sales at online pet stores like Petsmart and Petco.

Have a safe and happy holiday!

[image: flickr]

Post from: Blisstree

A Happy Thanksgiving for Your Pets

The added bonus of doing some holiday shopping for your pet is that you can also donate a few dollars to help shelter pets while you’re at it. Petsmart Charities is offering up cute dog and cat Christmas decorations and ornaments, with 25% of the sales going to help save the lives of homeless pets in the US and Canada.

Petco currently has a 72-hour sale going where you can get free shipping on orders over $50 and save up to 40% on select items, and they’re also featuring all your winter pet needs, including travel products and of course, holiday items. Petco Foundation also has their Tree of Hope fundraising campaign going on in stores until December 24th.

[image: petsmart]

Post from: Blisstree

After-Thanksgiving Pet Shopping

1. Properly identify pets with ID tags and microchips: Make sure you have your pets’ ID, current rabies tags and that they’re microchipped. To be extra cautious, attach an additional tag with the address and phone number of where you will be staying for the duration of the trip to your pet’s collar, in case they get lost after you arrive.

2. Train pets to travel in their crates: Whether you’re heading to your holiday destination by plane, train or automobile, getting your pets used to their crates will make the entire traveling experience less stressful. Even when away from home, pets still view their crates as a safe haven from stressful situations.

3. With a crate, size does matter Crates should be large enough for pets to stand and turn around in comfortably. Remember to keep water inside the crate or allow for breaks every three hours so that your pets can drink and stretch.

4. Never leave your pets unattended: Just as you would never leave a child unattended, never leave your pets alone in a car.

5. Be prepared: Take your pets’ health records with you, just in case they need to see a veterinarian during your trip. Be sure to ask your veterinarian if she recommends heart worm prevention or treatment for fleas or ticks for the area in which you are traveling. Keep pet dishes in your car, as well as extra water and pet food, in case of car trouble or bad weather.

6. To fly or not to fly: As a rule, puppies and kittens, sick animals, animals in heat, and frail or pregnant animals should not travel by air. If a pet is too large to fly in the cabin with you, perhaps a stay at a boarding kennel would be a safer choice. You should also plan ahead because many airlines have restrictions regarding pets, and your pets may need a health certificate to fly.

7. Visit your veterinarian: Your vet may prescribe a sedative to help reduce your pet’s stress level while traveling. However, sedatives are not always safe for pets so be sure to give your vet the details of how your pet will be traveling and how long the trip will take.

8. Boarding is an option: If your pets are too large to fly in the cabin with you, or if a long car ride might be too stressful for them, boarding your pets at a kennel may be a safer choice. Or you could hire a licensed pet sitter to take care of your pets in the comfort of your own home.

9. Try to keep pets on the same “schedule”: Stop when you would normally let your pets out at home and at feeding times.

10. Plan lodging ahead: Research your route, make reservations and carry a list of pet-friendly lodging along the way. Also, ask for a room on the ground floor so it is easier to walk your pets. Never let your pets stay in the car.

[image: flickr]

Post from: Blisstree

10 Holiday Travel Tips for Pets

For animal lovers, this can mean a double dose of giving: along with donating some canned goods or a sack of groceries at the grocery store, consider dropping off an unopened bag or cans of cat or dog food, or even a bag of litter to your local Humane Society or pet shelter as well.

Not only do the food and supplies benefit animals at the shelter, but many shelters nationwide also distribute items to people who are in need of them, and whose pets may not be able to eat without the help of the donations.

For more information on what is acceptable to donate, be sure to contact your state’s Humane Society, SPCA, or other local animal shelters. Many are also in great need of things like towels, washcloths, litter pans, etc, and monetary donations are also always welcome.

[image: flickr]

Post from: Blisstree

Don’t Forget Shelter Pets at Thanksgiving