As we work to cultivate an attitude of gratitude and open ourselves to the love of the universe, we might find our cat, or our dog, in our lap or by our side. And there’s a good reason for that. Our pets offer us unconditional love, and in doing so, reflect the love the universe offers back to us. If we think about our pets, whether they’re cats, dogs, birds, or even lizards, I believe we can see this in action. Numerous stories abound of cats and dogs who keep owners company during times of sickness or stress. My kitties love to hang out on the desk with me when I’m working, and their company radiates love and appreciation. It’s like looking into a mirror and seeing the love of the universe radiated back.

Now, I’m not saying to go out and adopt a pet just to experience this. But, if there’s home in your home and in your heart, and it is feasible, then I certainly would always advocate for pet adoption. For those of us who already have pets, we can open ourselves up to this unconditional love by simply being with our pets. When we’re watching tv (or working on the computer) simply acknowledge our pet’s presence. Pet your cat or dog. Take the time to see how it feels or how you feel. Notice when your pet seems to seek out your company.

When life gets tough it can be difficult to open ourselves up to the love the universe offers. But when we look at our pet and when we spend time with him or her, we can quickly see that the universe has offered us this life in the furry (or feathered), cuddly package of our pet. And we don’t have to go very far to find it.

Share and Enjoy

I thought long and hard before speaking up about this topic, because I know a lot of people in the reptile hobby. And for most beginners in the hobby, Reptiles Magazine is the magazine to get. However, a couple of articles in past issues really made me think about my reptile hobby (I have two bearded dragons), the hobby as a whole and what image we want to put out to the public. Because let’s face it, most people if they don’t already have an interest in reptiles don’t suddenly start seeking out reptile people to get their thoughts on things such as the recent legislation banning several species of large snakes from inter-state transport. They don’t join USA Ark, a lobbying group, and they don’t really think beyond the “eww snake” factor. Which is why, as keepers and advocates for our chosen species (and I don’t care if it’s something as mundane as a hamster or a cat), need to be aware that we are ambassadors for our beloved pets and act accordingly.

One of the first Reptiles Magazines I read had what amounted to an opinion piece, though wasn’t marked as such, about how HSUS is horrible and no one wants us to have pets. Of course, they directed me to an anti-HSUS organization, which incidentally enough I found out through some research turned out to be a Koch Brothers founded group. Now who was I to trust? The expert who writes for the magazine? An organization that until that moment I thought did very good work on behalf of animals in our country? An organization that is against the previous one and founded by people whose ideals and beliefs I don’t really believe in, endorse, or otherwise enjoy or want to be around? Yeah, me neither. Each side is rife with bias and as they say, truth is a three-edged blade. Your side, their side, and the actual truth. But it seemed to be an isolated incident until a few months later…

When a very informative article about local laws basically said to violate these laws and that was the only way to get around them. Now animal regulations, whether put in place by a homeowner’s association, city, county, or state, are going to suck for someone. As long as I am feeding my animals, caring for them, spending quality time with them each day, and giving them appropriate vet care when necessary, I don’t think it’s anyone’s business how many I have. I know my limits. I’m pretty good with the household I have now, though it’s a mixed-species household. But, these regulations happen. The best thing to do is to educate and work to change the laws you don’t like. I don’t care if it’s snake length, speed limits, or curfew hours. Overtly breaking the law just because you don’t like it is not a mature way to handle any law. And yet, the magazine pretty much said, “don’t tell anyone what you have. Don’t disclose anything when asked. And Don’t talk to any official because they’re going to take away your snake even if it’s not illegal/banned/under law.” I’m sorry, but that kind of fear mongering has no place in a discussion about any exotic animal species. No, you don’t need to take out a full page add in the paper, but it is good to find out what is, or isn’t allowed, in your area.

And that, my friends, is why I am very upset with Reptiles Magazine. This magazine, by virtue of it’s title, it’s distribution, and it’s intended market, is and could be a very good vehicle by which to educate the non-reptile-owning community about our hobby, the value it brings to the economy, and why the legislation we don’t agree with isn’t good for the economy and probably won’t solve the issues it’s intended to fix. (If someone is going to dump an animal, they’re going to dump it…law or not… and they’re not crossing state lines to do it. Those crossing state lines are usually doing so for personal reasons like a move or for economic reasons like selling at an event.) By encouraging people to break the law, Reptiles magazine is simply perpetuating the stereotypes that people hold. And that, in spite of years of reading and enjoying the magazine is why I am not renewing it. (There has also been snide answers given to letters published, and other things that have affected my view of the magazine.)

We need to stand strong to educate the public about our exotic pets, regardless of species. We need to work together and we need to present accurate, lawful information. Telling someone that they could open a can of worms if they inquire about laws is not responsible, and will do nothing to further the hobby.

Share and Enjoy

I knew something about my little  bird’s beak didn’t look right. Not bad, but definitely didn’t come together as it should. He was looking a bit rough in the feathers, too. Well, when it came time for my big bird’s grooming appointment, I made one for the little guy, too. And I’m glad I did. He got his beak trimmed, and I found out he is tiny for his species, but he is a solid boy, so he’s not underweight or anything. Reassurance and care for my bird.

As pet parents we “know” when something isn’t right. Maybe we dismiss it as being a “worrywort” or we think that we’re asking for trouble. But usually, if we know our pets well enough, we can tell when they’re not feeling well. Don’t discount these feelings. As with our own health, we don’t want to become hypochondriacs. But we do want to be aware and be tuned into our pets.

So what can you do if you notice something isn’t right. It’s always a good idea to have your pet examined. In my bird’s case, I took him in for a beak trim and all was good. In the case of a cat or dog, especially a geriatric one, a vet visit shouldn’t be ruled out. It’s always a good idea to make sure your beloved pet is seen by a professional if you ever have any doubts about its health.

But really, the lesson of this is that we need to trust ourselves. We need to trust that we are our pet’s caretaker and that we know what is happening, even when it’s only on the level of a “gut” feeling.

Share and Enjoy

I stepped outside today to thin my turnip plants. For an experiment one too-warm early April day, the little plants are doing quite well. Hope this inspires you to grow your own container garden for your pet!

Share and Enjoy

Whether you have your pets boarded or have someone come into your home to take care of them, coming home to your pets is always accompanied by a sense of relief that everything went okay and your pet’s joy to have you home. Many pets might be more needy when you return from vacation, such as cats or dogs. Parrots or other animals will still require extra care, and there may be a bit of recovery in making sure food schedules return to normal or regular foods are reintroduced.

But as I sit at my desk, one of my cats draped across my lap, I know that as much as I love my vacation, I also loved coming back to my pets. And they were happy to have me home.

We don’t need to be fearful of going on vacation, because as long as we take care to have arrangements made for our pets, then we can go on vacation knowing that they are all taken care of. And returning doesn’t need to be an ordeal. Sure, depending on how the care was done (for example boarding or having someone care for them) there may be a few extra chores to do. The pets will require reassurance, but if we plan and approach our pets’ neediness with understanding, then we can return from vacation without worries.

Share and Enjoy

My mom’s cat never liked me much. Generally I was the stranger who came and left, smelling of other cats. I cared for her when mom was ill and in the hospital, and the few times I had to take her back to my house while mom recovered cemented my position as EVIL in her kitty mind. But over the years, the relationship as changed, and in the last few months, the cat has curled up in my lap while I’ve sat visiting with my mom. I do think I’ve been accepted as a member of the family.

Some animals are “single people” animals. With certain species of parrots care must be taken so that the bird is socialized with all members of the family so that it doesn’t get overprotective of its favored person. Cats and dogs can generally prefer one member of the family over another. In our house, even, our formal feral cat is definitely “my” cat since I’m the one who tamed and socialized him, while the former-stray we adopted about six months ago prefers my partner and the recliner.

If you are in a situation with a disinterested cat or one that doesn’t like a member of the household, take heart that changes can happen. However they must be approached with care and love. Do not push the situation. Pets are individuals just like you and me. With my mom’s cat, it was the little things like enticing her to play, being the one to feed treats when I’m here, and other positive reinforcements, really helped. It also was a long process.

Be patient. Move slowly. And be all right if the situation really doesn’t change. Those are the steps and eventually, personality changes will happen.

Share and Enjoy

When I went to Petsmart the other day I was saddened to see itty bitty baby bearded dragons and crickets bigger than their head. The babies looked at the crickets with a “what are we supposed to do with these?” expression on their faces and I wanted to go find some pinhead crickets and make sure these babies had appropriately sized feeders.

For bearded dragons, feeder insects should not be any larger than the space between their eyes. And superworms should not be fed to beardies smaller than 17″ from nose to tail.

This same rule applies to geckos and other lizards, too. There are also similar rules for feeding snakes (i.e. what size of mouse or rat to use) so make sure you check species-specific forums for additional information.

Even reptiles who can eat larger insects might prefer a smaller size. Maybe not too small–I know my full-grown bearded dragon looks at the baby b. dubia roaches like they’re beneath his notice–but he enjoys superworms, which are longer (though way more slender).

Take time to evaluate your feeders. Make sure they’re the right size for your pet. If you raise your own, you can often donate or sell off excess or too large animals. And if you have to buy, maybe chat with the vendor from whom you shop.

Your pet’s health depends on the right size of feeder, so a little research can go a long way.

Share and Enjoy

I did it! I moved Inkybird’s toys today. Just a little bit. Moved his swing over and rearranged a couple of his toys. That’s it. I swear. And yet, you would have thought I’d picked up him and plunked him into an entirely new world by the way he birdy-cussed me out as I was switching things out. Pardon me, fine sir, for moving your toys around. Here, have a spray of millet!

Inky’s reaction isn’t by any means alone. Most pet birds I’ve had didn’t like having their toys moved around. Sure, we’re told as owners to rotate their toys so they don’t get bored, and we should. But change something in their routine, and it’s birdy-war on you!

This illustrates how much “in a routine” our pets get. They like to be fed at a certain time each day. They like their curtains opened on time, or if they’re not a timer their lights turned on at the same time each day. We want to provide variety in food, but change an ingredient and woe be unto you, because you might have taken away your pet’s favorite morsel.

He’ll get over it, of course. They tend to even if they like to chirp and squawk and tell you that it’s the end of the universe. In fact, it can be good for them to shake up their routine. Getting stuck in a rut leads to bored birds, and bored birds can be destructive or noisy birds. So go ahead and move their toys. It’s the right thing to do.

Share and Enjoy

At Harmonic Pets we want to know how you live in harmony with your pets. We’re especially interested in pictures of your parrots and reptiles, though we love all animals, so the contest is open to all pets.

Post your picture on our Facebook page.

Once a week we’ll choose a winner. Depending on the pet, prizes may be products, t-shirts, gift certificates, or more! We’ll tailor the prize to the pet.

When: April 10 to May 31.

Where: Post your picture to the Harmonic Pets Facebook page.

What: Like/comment on posts. Each week, on Tuesday, we’ll choose a winner based on most likes/comments as well as judge’s choice.

Why: Because we want to see your pet! And pets are cool!

Who: Open to anyone who posts on our page.

We look forward to seeing your pets!

Share and Enjoy