Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Petlife.
Veterinarians Are Not Trying to Steal Your Money!
Let me clarify that MOST veterinarians are not trying to steal your money. I have worked in general practice and emergency, and both are expensive, even if your pet isn’t sick and it is just wellness with some vaccines. I have seen so many people become upset and angry when they get to the front and are about to pay, which is understandable, but having a pet is not cheap, and no one said it was! Especially when something goes wrong with your pet and you don’t have insurance or extra money on the side.
By Kimberly Light8 years ago in Petlife
10 of the Easiest Dog Breeds to Train
Whether you already have a pup, or considering getting your hands on one, some of us want to train our dogs to learn awesome tricks and skills. From balancing a biscuit on their nose to hopping on one leg, and learning how to sit on command, we find training can make our dogs be more mature, listen better, and can pull off cool stunts. And if our dog can master literally every trick in the book, it's only natural to place them in competitions, right? Unless you're not the type to.
By Jennifer Violet8 years ago in Petlife
Why We Need Sharks
Believe it or not, sharks are one of the things stopping global warming from getting too bad and deadly. Phytoplankton are little organisms that thrive in the ocean. They convert most of the carbon dioxide into oxygen for the world and they provide Earth with 50-85 percent of the world’s oxygen. But fish feed on this phytoplankton and without the sharks feeding on these fish, the phytoplankton population will decimate. The world needs sharks, and people are finally starting to realize it.
By hope vandersluis8 years ago in Petlife
7 Tips for New Breeders
Just like with human birth, there are things about birthing puppies that just don't make it into literature! Maybe it's due to the graphic nature of the topic, or perhaps the authors are such old hands that they don't think to put these things in. Either way, here are the top seven things I learnt when birthing my first litter, that they didn't tell me about:
By Lexi Lloves8 years ago in Petlife
From Abandonment to 'Furever' Home
It is hard to believe that anyone would want to abandon an animal. It is hard to believe that maybe maternal instinct sometimes does not click in the animal kingdom. We are inundated with animal welfare media, whether it is the gut-wrenching ASPCA commercials, the posts on Facebook on lost animals, the news articles online about animal cruelty offenders actually going to jail (HURRAY!), and let us not forget the puppy mills and illegal trades. Of course—if you are like me—if you had the means, you would be going out there and rescuing every animal that has had such misfortune. But while the reality of living and financial needs keeps you from turning your tiny studio apartment from becoming a mini sanctuary for animals, sometimes your heartstrings will pull taut until you feel that they will absolutely snap and you will melt into a puddle of goo that says "GIVE ME, I WILL LOVE YOU!"
By Jennifer Kaspin8 years ago in Petlife
Best Dog Instagrams to Follow Right Now to Make Your Day Better
Between photoshopped bikini pictures and unrealistic expectations for nearly any aspect of life, not all social media influencers have to be toxic. Instead of filling your Instagram feed with unhealthy realities of internet stars, why not switch gears to something that most people can appreciate: dogs.
By Kelsey Lange8 years ago in Petlife
The Complete Guide to Adopting a Dog. Top Story - February 2018.
You wake up one morning and you want a dog! Great! But now what? Adopting a dog has changed as technology has advanced. Now instead of going to the local pound to get a dog, you can go online and look at hundreds of adoptable dogs. But how do you apply? And what are the things that they don't tell you about adopting a dog?
By Natalie Rose8 years ago in Petlife
How My Dog Saved Me from Depression
I hit the worst of my worst in June 2016. I was working at a non-profit foster care agency and just moved out on my own, away from my family. Don’t get me wrong, I loved working in foster care but the hours were demanding and there was tons of paperwork that I often got behind on. I also remember getting home after midnight and working a 22 hour shift one time. Every time I’d come home from work, I went straight to bed. I hardly ate and on the weekends I didn’t want to leave home. I became so numb and I didn’t express any feelings or emotions (except for sadness). My digestive system was messed up and made me very sick.
By Felicia Turner8 years ago in Petlife
Is Your Dog Fat...?
It can be a rather touchy subject for a lot of people, but the truth is, by spoiling our fur babies, we may actually be doing them far more harm then good. Nowadays, there is a rather weird attitude around dogs and their weight; a chubby dog is thought of as cute and adorable, etc., when in reality, allowing your dog to become overweight can be almost cruel. Our dogs can have many of the same side effects of being overweight that we can, such as diabetes, joint problems, skin problems, some cancers; it affects their mobility and general quality of life. Overweight dogs tend to have a much shorter life span and will likely end up costing you big time at the vet. Now, let's be clear—no dog owner is knowingly being cruel when they have an overweight dog. Like I said, there is a strange attitude around the subject and most people are just not knowledgeable about it. How can a few extra treats or some table scraps hurt them, right? Turns out more than you think.
By Kathleen Migneault8 years ago in Petlife
