Orange City Animal Lovers

Children are naturally compassionate and I firmly believe that every child should have a dog as a companion. If you and your family don't have a dog, then chances are that children in your house haven't had much exposure to dogs.  It is the responsibility of the parents to make sure that children follow certain rules and are well prepared for the arrival of the new family member. Dog is not a toy - Children must learn how to behave around a dog, and how to handle one properly, particularly if its a pup. A dog is not a toy. Children must be gentle , and not too rowdy to begin with, until your dog is used to them.  Adult Supervision - Always make sure there's an adult around to supervise when children are playing with your new dog. You will then be assured of everyone's safety and enjoyment until you are confident they are all consistently doing the right thing. Train your dog - You are the best trainer for your dog. A 15-year old friend of mine looked up vid...

As a vet, people often ask me for advice about adopting a pet. I ask them just three questions.  Does the lady of the house love dogs/cats/hamsters/rabbits/guinea pigs etc? A pet is for life. Are they willing to make a commitment to take care of their pet for the rest of its life, in sickness and in health? Are they willing to spend time and effort to understand their pet, their needs, their food habits, their temperament and adjust to it? If the answer to even one of the above questions is 'No', then the family is not ready for a pet.Let me explain.  If your mother/sister/wife does not like pets, then never, ever adopt one. Hoping that she will have a change of heart, is unfair to her and to your pet. The house is the lady's nest. Whether she comes back home from a long day in office or is a homemaker, she expects her nest to look and smell a certain way. Having a pet can change that drastically. Dog/cat hair of sofa, dog urine and poop in the balcony, a pun...

This weekend the world celebrates love. We all have plans to shower our favorite people with all the attention they deserve, but do not necessarily get. How about our favorite animals ?  Here are five tips to make this Valentine's Day special for our four-legged friends also. 1. Get a AWBI Colony Animal Care Taker ID We all have faced harassment from the local people when we take care of the community dogs, cows and even,as in my case, a mule. This is the ID that says that Animal Welfare Board of India, Ministry of Environment and Forests has authorized you to take care of the animals in your area. The process of getting the ID is surprisingly easy. Go to the link given below and follow the instructions. Within one-two months, your ID should arrive! http://awbi.org/ http://awbi.org/?q=node/180 2. Set up water bowls for the animals. The Weather Department has forecast a particularly harsh summer this year. Get ready to take care of your animals frie...