Should Your Child Have a Pet?

There comes a time when your kids will inevitably bring home a "pet". It may be a lizard, frog, spider or even a stray dog or cat that has followed them home. How would you feel about allowing your kids to keep the animal as their pet? Is it an animal that you could tolerate having in the house?

We would allow this and even encourage it providing the animal does not belong to another family and appears to be docile and you can take care of it financially. A child's acceptance of a pet indicates that the child may be longing for a companion that he can have constantly at his side. At the beginning your kids may not realize the extent of responsibility that is being placed on their shoulders. All they will see is a living "toy", something they can play with and see growing up in front of them. This is a new experience to them and we should encourage it. It helps them to understand the beauty of life. Show your kids that their pets are living animals just like us, and if we take pets into our care, we must take care of them.We could say that having a pet is an essential part of growing up. Kids often will love having a pet as a close companion and can really love their pets. Pets can bring about a calmness and peace to our kids as they nurture them.

In choosing to keep an animal as a pet we need to take into consideration whether our kids will enjoy this animal for a few years. If they will become easily bored with a pet then we would need to rethink it. Watch how your kids interact with your friend's pets. Take them to pet stores and show them the variety of animals that are available. Take a good look at the animals available and check out the care needed for each of the animals your kids are interested in. Find the right pet for your kids and your family. Small children may not be capable of handling and caring for large animals. Pick a pet that will fit into your lifestyle and environment.

Remember the time commitment that some pets will take. Some animals will need a lot of input from their little human companions if they are to be the only pet. Some animals such as guinea pigs and rats like to have another of their own kind as company.

The benefits of having the correct pet for your kids are huge. Your kids will learn from you how to nurture and care for a living thing. You will be able to teach them about hygiene and about feeding your pet. Your kids will learn from you how to be responsible for their pets needs. A pet's death will also help your children to deal with losses as they go through life.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lesley_Munnings

Pets And Children: A Lifelong Friendship

Is your voice beginning to sound like a broken record? Are you always nagging your kids to do their homework? Are you having trouble motivating your child to stop watching TV or playing video games and to play outside instead? Then consider making a pet part of your family.
Many people are aware of the health benefits that come from having a pet, including lowering high blood pressure, preventing heart disease and combating depression. However, what parents may not realize is that adding Spot, Polly or Mr. Whiskers to the family can be advantageous to the other bundles of joy "scampering" around your house-your kids!
While little children are too young to worry about preventing stress or lowering health care costs, there are numerous benefits they can experience from having a family pet.
Pets, whether a dog, cat, bird, hamster, reptile or fish, help children gain a sense of independence that can set them on the path to becoming mature, responsible adults.

-Pets Teach Kids To Be Responsible

Children can learn the importance of responsibility at an early age by acting as a caretaker for a pet. Fish are a terrific first pet because children can play a large role in caring for them. However, other pets that require more attention, like a cat or dog, can present an ideal opportunity for parent and child to bond while caring for the pet together. Showing children what it means to be responsible for another creature's survival can result in teaching important life lessons such as discipline, patience, kindness and attentiveness.

-Pets Can Help Kids Develop Discipline

Walking the dog, feeding the guinea pig and talking to the parrot can serve as fun study breaks for kids, and a replacement for television programs and video games. These pet-related activities help children remain focused on the task at hand, and are less likely to become distractions that will prevent homework and chores from being completed.

-Pets Prepare Kids For Life Situations

Bringing a pet home and into the family can be an effective way to help prepare children for real life scenarios. For example, pets can ease the transition of suddenly having to share mom and dad's attention with a new brother or sister by demonstrating how much fun new playmates can be, as well as what is involved in caring for another. Pets can also help kids learn to deal with medical issues and illnesses as they are exposed to routine veterinarian check-ups with their pet, and the treatments for various ailments.

Source : http://www.petloveshack.com/kids.html

Meaning of Pet Human Relationships

Now, more than ever before the relationship between a human being and his or her pet is an important one.

Dogs and Cats are comforting in times of sorrow and wonderful to have in the joyful times of your life as well. Think of that bouncing pooch so happy to greet you after a tough day at work, or the kitty you cuddle up with relaxing while you listen to your favorite show on TV.

Animals are so popular when visiting nursing homes that it almost breaks your heart. I think every nursing home should have a resident animal to visit the patients and keep them connected to life outside. I know that there are many people who travel to such facilities with animals to cheer up the patients, but wouldn’t it be wonderful if there were full time pets on hand to keep them entertained and interested in something outside of themselves?

One thing I’ve noticed is that people who love animals seem to like wearing animal jewelry. That’s not so surprising, but it can be a tough thing to locate good animal jewelry that looks realistic enough.

Since I’m crazy about cats and I wear several sterling silver charms on a bracelet, I was happy to find this fluffy little cat charm a while back. What I really like is their not-so-innocent expression. Who hasn’t had a cat like that?

I’ve noticed that other animals are popular as pets now, as well. Guinea pigs, for instance. And even rats! People tell me they are very intelligent- almost like having a small dog that can ride on your shoulder. I don’t know about that, but I’m sure there are some very charming rats.

Like all good pet owners, I’m sure to take my cats to the vet for her checkup 2 times a year. The last time I went I noticed the vets and the vet techs were wearing some interesting name badges . They really seemed to brighten up the hospital and put everyone in a good mood. That’s how it seemed to me, anyway!

Just like the nursing home, it’s a good thing to lighten up the atmosphere in any health care facility, even one devoted to caring for sick or injured animals. Because of course the animals won’t notice something like this, but the owners certainly will, and they’re under some stress for sure; worried about their darling pet.

Almost anyone who loves animals has had the experience of losing one after a wonderful lifetime of fun together. Perhaps that’s the downside of the pet-human experience, but on the other hand that is the way life is, and it’s better to experience it and have a bit of sadness than not to ever share in that wonderful experience.

The Importance of Responsible Pet Ownership

A new pet can add untold hours of joy to your family and provide you with more unconditional love than you can imagine. But please remember that acquiring a pet is a lifetime commitment and should not be taken lightly.

There are several things to consider before adding a new member to your family:

* Do you want an adult dog or cat or a puppy or kitten?
The amount of time that you will need to spend training your new pet depends greatly on its age. A young puppy will need to be housebroken, and will need to be given the opportunity to relieve itself at least every four hours. Puppies will go through a teething phase, which can mean chewing! Kittens, while more easily housebroken (litter box trained), are full of boundless energy and may release it by climbing up curtains and other household items unless trained not to do so.

* How much time do you spend away from home?
When pets are left alone for long periods of time (more than 8-10 hours) they may display frustration behaviors such as barking, digging and chewing. In addition, if you are frequently away on overnight trips, it will be necessary to have someone care for your pet. Dogs, especially large breeds, need regular exercise. Will you have time in your schedule for a nightly walk?

* Do you have small children?
Are they old enough to interact with a dog or cat responsibly without hurting themselves or the animal?

* Cost
Remember that the average life span of a dog can be 10-15 years, and that of an indoor cat even longer (up to 20 years). Your pet will need to have regular veterinary care (not to mention veterinary attention for any unforeseen emergencies), a nutritious pet food, toys, a crate (for housebreaking) or litter pan and litter, a pet carrier (for trips in the car) and other miscellaneous supplies. All this can add up. Are you and your budget ready for the additional expense?

* Unforeseen Situations
There's an old saying that the only constant in life is change. At some point, you and your family are bound to be affected by a change in job, location, family status - or perhaps all three! How will this affect your pet? If you are required to move, will you be able to take your pet with you? Are you willing to consider your pet in the re-location process? What if you or another family member becomes allergic to your pet? Do you plan to have children? Do you plan to have more than one pet? What if your pet comes down with a debilitating disease? How will you provide for your pet under these circumstances? Unfortunately, many of the pets in shelters today are there because their previous owners didn't consider these possibilities. Please, before you make your decision, think about it seriously so your pet doesn't become a statistic - once again.

How To Choose Pet Name and their Meaning

How To Choose Pet Name

Pets have always been important for most homes and are taken care of just like a new baby, who has been brought from the hospital. One of the fun things after getting a new pet is to find the perfect name for it. There are a number of names to choose from, apart from the numerous ways in which you can select one. A name should be such that you are comfortable in calling your pet by it, as you will be living with it for a long time. Read on further to know some tips on how to choose the right pet names.

Choosing The Right Name For Your Pet

* Famous Names
Look for famous pet names in history, as they can be a good source of inspiration for naming your pet. Choose a name of a famous poet or a famous character in history, in case you want to turn your pet into a little celebrity. A few such notable names include Old Yeller, Lassie, Buddy, Benji, Rover and Rufus.

* Appearance
In case your pet is all black, you can name it Midnight or Shadow. As for other shades and patterns of your pet, you can opt from Soft Spice, Energize, Lemon Squash, Bermuda and Matt.

* Certain Characteristic or Personality Trait
Most often, pet owners select a name based on their personality or trait that they have. For a pet that is affectionate and runs fast, you can name Sweety or Speedie. For one that is playful, you can call him Rascal.

* Famous Fictional Characters
There are certain fictional character names that make a good match for pets. You can select a name from children’s books, cartoon characters, TV programs or favorite movies. Ensure that the name is appropriate, so that you wouldn’t mind calling out in a public setting.

* Names Beginning with Hard Consonants
Names that begin with K, T, M or S are easier to recognize and pronounce that those beginning with a vowel or other consonants. Such names are easily picked up by dogs, especially in a crowd or other noisy setting. Ensure that the name does not rhyme with or sound like a word you might use in training your pet.

* Short and Sweet
Very long names make it difficult to train the pet. Since most dogs are sensitive, they need to hear only the first few syllables of their name to react. In case you wish to choose an especially long name, shorten it to a nickname having only one or two syllables.

* Battle of the Bands
You can select the name of a band you like or the name that best fits your pet. Look at the chart of Top singles and albums for choosing one. Few examples include Goldfrapp (for a gerbil), Pulp (for a Alsatian), Pink (for a gecko) and Black Eyed Pea (for a rabbit).

List of Pet Names and Meaning

Aguistin - Majestic
Ammitai - Truth
analisa - stupid idiotic gold digger
bella - Devoted to God
breaded dragon - horned brown tamed
buttons - soft hearted ,gentle,cudly,loyal, very simple but rare
cambrie - Angel
chait - Catlike
Cleit - Rocky eminence
crazy, wild, fast - Kitten that's black, white, gray and brown stripes
Dillen - Like a lion
donte - bark, sound like dog
Evika - Life
Eda - Wealthy
Eldon - Meaning an Elder
Gweneth - Blessed
Glisten - to give off a sparkling or lustrous reflection of or as if of a moist or polished surface
malchus - mal'-kus (Malchos, from melekh, i.e. "counselor" or "king")
moonlight - pritty feminine
niha - smelly obnoxious irritating ultrasonic sound reads only foul languaged adult books
Gaheris - Sons of Lot
Slade - From the valley
Inghinn - Daughter
Lothair - Fighter
Morgen - Morning
Sheridan - Bright

More on pet names and their meanings visit : http://www.funpetnames.com/

Meaning and Importance of having a Pets

Meaning :

A pet is an animal kept for companionship and enjoyment or a household animal, as opposed to livestock, laboratory animals, working animals or sport animals, which are kept for economic reasons. The most popular pets are noted for their loyal or playful characteristics, for their attractive appearance, or for their song. Pets also generally seem to provide their owners with non-trivial health benefits; keeping pets has been shown to help relieve stress to those who like having animals around. There is now a medically-approved class of "therapy animals," mostly dogs, that are brought to visit confined humans. Walking a dog can provide both the owner and the dog with exercise, fresh air, and social interaction.

Pets have the ability to stimulate their caregivers, in particular the elderly, giving people someone to take care of, someone to exercise with, and someone to help them heal from a physically or psychologically troubled past. Having a pet may help people achieve health goals, such as lowered blood pressure, or mental goals, such as decreased stress. There appears to be strong evidence that having a pet can help a person lead a longer, healthier life. In a study of 92 people hospitalized for coronary ailments, within a year 11 of the 29 without pets had died, compared to only 3 of the 52 who had pets. A recent study concluded that owning a pet can reduce the risk of a heart attack by 2% and that pets are better than medication in reducing blood pressure. Owning a pet can also prolong survival of a heart attack. Dogs which are trained to be guide dogs can help people with disabilities.

The Importance of Pets

Most people do not doubt that pets are great companions and that they are good for everybody (young and old people). To many adults, especially those who live alone, animals are like family members. They fulfil your need for affection and attention like only animals can do. To children, in addition to being their companions all day, animals also serve to help them learn day-to-day things. Animals show the circle of life in an accelerated way compared to human beings (birth, youth, adulthood, old age and dying). They also show children other things related to life such as having an accident, getting ill and knowing how to take care of themselves. As these phases are more accelerated in animals than in human beings the children learn about them through the animals. Moreover, animals help the children to develop their sense of responsibility, since they need to be taken care of constantly. In a study performed by Robert Bierer it was concluded that children, aged ten to twelve who had animals had more empathy towards others and higher self-esteem. Pets also help children to reduce their anxiety, tediousness and fear and to develop a better capacity to integrate and to be more focused in school.
There are many important factors in the choice of a pet. The fact that the person who acquires it can have allergies (like asthma, bronchitis, etc.) is one. If that is the case, the person should opt for an animal that does not provoke allergies, for example, an aquarium with fish or a turtle.
Another important factor is the age of the children that will socialize with the animal. Despite each child having its proper rhythm of maturity, the appropriate age to have a first pet is from six years onward. At this age the child is already familiar with school, is already more sociable and will possibly already understand its responsibilities towards its’ animal. In other words, it will understand that it cannot mistreat the animal and it must care for its’ hygiene and feeding.
When a married couple already has a pet and the woman gets pregnant, it is necessary to train the animal to adapt to the pregnancy and later to the arrival of the baby. The animal might not like to share attention, it can feel rejected. After the birth of the child there must always be an adult to supervise playing, as the animal can bite or scratch the child unintentionally. This occurs mostly when the child starts to crawl or walk. You also have to be careful with the child in relation to the animal as the child can hurt the animal due to the fact that it is still not mature enough to deal with the animal.
Dogs are playful and adapt easily to children, but they need to take a bath once a week and to have a walk at least once a day, even if it is a short walk. Therefore it is necessary to consider if the future owner of the animal has the possibility to provide the treatment that it needs. Cats have better hygiene and are practically independent. They learn to use the catbox on their own and they lick themselves clean daily, thus they only need to take a bath once a month (at the time of the bath their claws should be cut too and in case you don’t know how to, it is better to take the cat to the vet).
It can be concluded that, despite the work and the constant attention animals need, we are always rewarded. They give us joy, company and loyalty like nobody else.