.. By Jelena

Regular readers know that I tend to avoid political topics in this blog. They’re too contentious, and there are many sides to every issue. However, there is a bill currently being considered by the United States … Read More

Remember when we discussed how difficult flying with rats safely can be? I’ve also mentioned the potential hazards of shipping dogs and cats by plane. In fact, I personally will not ever fly with my dog … Read More

As Earth Week ends, tree-planting events and free seed offers die down, CFL bulbs return to regular price, and most people go right back to the lifestyle they’re accustomed to during the other 51 weeks of … Read More

Pugs, English Bulldogs, Shar Peis, and most of the Molusser (Mastiff) breeds have one big thing in common: Wrinkles! Many new owners of these dogs make the mistake of falling in love with the adorable wrinkly … Read More

Many pet lovers have been involved in an argument with a significant other regarding pets either brought into the relationship/marriage by one party, or acquired as a couple. Just like children, pets require you to expend time, money, … Read More

Snacking out of the catbox is perhaps the most disgusting habit a dog can have, in my opinion– and that’s a pretty competitive category. Unfortunately, at least a substantial minority, and probably a vast majority of … Read More

Once upon a time, including pets in a wedding would have been a massive social blunder frowned upon by the majority of guests. Now, many pet lovers can’t imagine marrying without their pets present. It makes … Read More

Do pets grieve when they lose an owner or a companion? In short: Yes. There are various scientific studies, some contradictory, on the subject of animals’ responses to loss, but my experience as the owner of … Read More

Yesterday I had dinner with my parents. On my way out the door after the meal, I encountered a handsome ginger tomcat, who immediately made himself at home in my car. When he heard a rustle … Read More

Yesterday we introduced you to Bo Obama, the Portuguese Water Dog now owned by Barack Obama and his family. Today, just in case Barack, Michelle, Malia, and Sasha read Petlvr: The Blog, I’ve got five helpful hints … Read More

It’s official: President Barack Obama and his family have been given a 6-month-old Portuguese Water Dog puppy by Senator Edward M. Kennedy. The dog, who will be named “Bo Diddley,” was purchased from a Texas kennel and … Read More

Are you pinching pennies as the recession drags on? If so, don’t skimp on essentials like vet care and premium food, which save you money in the long run. However, you can save money in other, … Read More

Most people know that Halloween can be a dangerous holiday for pets,  but what about Easter? Just as much chocolate is given out on Easter as Halloween, but some families are so eager to celebrate that … Read More

It’s not easy to look at a litter of puppies, kittens, rats, or any other animal and pick just one baby to take home. Should you really choose just one? Wouldn’t those two littermates be happier together? … Read More

Easter is just around the corner, and sadly, as usual at this time of year, many children will have more than plastic eggs and jellybeans waiting in their baskets. Every year, thousands of baby rabbits, chicks, and ducklings … Read More

If you  have a high-energy dog, getting involved in a canine sport is a smart decision. But which one will best suit your dog? One can easily spend a lot of time and money taking lessons … Read More

No, I’m not asking in a roundabout way whether or not you own a bird. Twitter is a microblogging website that allows users to send short messages of 140 characters or less. You can “follow” other users … Read More

A friend wrote to me a few days ago asking for advice. She owns several female rats, and no males. Inexplicably, one of her females is pregnant. The only possible exposure to a male occurred when … Read More

So you want to start a garden, but you’re worried that all your efforts will go to waste when your dog traipses through, digging up your plants and snacking on the manure used as fertilizer, then … Read More

Nothing ruins a pet-friendly vacation like car sickness. One moment you’re anticipating a game of fetch on the beach, and the next you’re cleaning a puddle of pre-digested kibble out of the car. For pets with … Read More

Many dogs, particularly small dogs and those with short coats, refuse to do their business in deep snow. When Spring blizzards like the one blanketing my city with over a foot of the white stuff hit, … Read More

Dogs need baths, but owners’ opinions on how often range from “dump him in a tub of suds once a year whether he needs it or not” to “take her to a professional groomer every Saturday.” … Read More

I get strange enough looks when I tell people that I have 13 rats and a litter on the way; I can’t imagine strangers’ reactions to people who keep these truly unusual housepets! Here are five … Read More

Should you let your dog off-leash? The answer is usually no, but then how can your high energy dog get enough exercise? When leashed to  you, most medium to large dogs are limited to a slow … Read More

There are as many ways to set up a cage for a rat to deliver a litter as there are rat breeders. Everyone has a personal preference. I’ve incorporated advice from several breeders in creating my current … Read More

Once you’ve picked out a puppy, the hardest part of your dog search is over. But when should that puppy join your family? If it’s already weaned and separated from littermates, the answer is “as soon … Read More

Is your pet sneezing? At this time of year, the problem could be spring allergies. Just like humans, many pets have allergies to pollen, dust, or mold, and those allergies often flare up during the spring. … Read More

Warmer weather is coming, and with it will come the inevitable reports of dogs dying from heat prostration when left unattended in hot cars. But alongside those reports will be the stories of a dog owner … Read More

Most dogs don’t get enough exercise. The modern human lifestyle doesn’t always allow for dogs to get an ideal amount of playtime and physical activity. A large majority of dog owners will never worry about whether … Read More

It’s easy to smack a child or animal when  they make you angry, or to yank a choke chain, but what results does physical punishment really yield? For many dog owners and parents alike, the only definite … Read More

Some years ago, I received the gift of a book by the owner and administrator of a large animal sanctuary. Overall, the book was a touching tribute to the many animals rescued by the author. But … Read More

I’m hoping that my TEK Artemis is currently pregnant by SGR Fortissimo, so I’ve been feeding her some extra high-fat, high-protein, nutrition-packed snacks to help her grow a batch of healthy pups. This will be my … Read More

Puppies can be tough to housebreak, but the challenge of housetraining an older dog who has become accustomed to pottying inside is a whole ‘nother bag of chips, so to speak. While the most important part … Read More