Pet Bucket Blog

1. I said that six lizards dragged into my bed were quite enough for one morning.    Image credit   2. I asked that he share his dinner with his siblings.    Image credit   3. I accidentally sneezed whilst she was sleeping comfortably on my face.   Image credit   4. I didn't know we were playing hunter versus prey and that I was meant to crumble in fear and agony when she pounced on my big toe.    Image credit   5. I called his meow very cute. It was supposedly a big lion's roar.    Image credit   6. I did the laundry without asking whether the dirty clothes pile was still being used as a day bed.   Image credit   7. We watched '101 Dalmations' and received the silent treatment for the whole night.    Image credit   8. He pleaded to have chicken for dinner but changed his mind during the time it took to open the can and serve it. How could we expect him to eat chicken!     Image credit 9. I said that the box wouldn't make a good pirate-kitty ship for the bathtub.     Image credit 10. I asked that everything not be made into a big drama. Apparently, it was all too much.    Image credit   Feature image credit

Many dogs can’t be stopped from diving into the ocean when they arrive at the beach. Nowadays, some dogs love to surf the waves as well.   Dog surfing has become a popular activity amongst pet owners in coastal regions. Dogs can be trained to balance on boards by themselves or with their owners, or even with other dogs in what is known as ‘tandem surfing’.   Image credit Image credit   Competitions take place annually in California and Florida. The Loews Coronado bay Resort Surf Dog Competition is the largest dog surfing competition in the world, with the first event taking place in 2006.    Dogs are judged on their overall certainty on the board, the size of the waves surfed, and their ride length. Entrants participate in ten minute heats where they attempt to catch as many waves as possibly.   Image credit   Image credit   Usually over 50 dogs partake in the tournament of all different sizes and breeds. At the 2012 competition three Guinness World Records were broken, including a new record of the most dogs photographed on a surfboard.   Another popular competition takes place on Huntington Beach, California called ‘Surf City Surf Dog’.   Image credit  Image credit   Dog surfing, whilst never as popular as it is today, has a long history. Surfing dogs were documented in California and Hawaii in the 1920s and in the 1930s. Night Hawk, a terrier, was captured in the silent film 'On The Waves in Waikiki' with his owner Phillip K. Auna surfing on a wooden board. Night Hawk was even able to perform the ‘hang ten’ surfing maneuver.   Image credit   Image credit   Dogs aren’t even the only pets who enjoy the waves. In Lima, Peru tortoiseshell cat Nicolasa loves surfing with her owner Domingo Pianezzi.   He discovered his kitten’s passion when she unexpectedly jumped on his board as he took off on San Bartolo beach. Since then, they have enjoyed many sunny days on the water together.    Feature image credit

With their long ears, short legs, and droopy eyes, basset hounds are often portrayed in movies and TV as a comical and lazy dog breed. While this image may be true in some ways, you need a lot more information about these pups before you can decide if a basset is the right dog for you. Here is a look at five things you need to know about owning a basset hound.    1. They're laid back, but not always lazy  Bassets have a well-deserved reputation for being extremely easy-going, but you shouldn't assume that owning one won't involve any work. In fact, basset hounds were originally bred to be hunting dogs, and most of them love to go for long walks. Your dog is likely to get depressed if you don't make exercise a major priority, and obesity is a major issue among bassets that don't walk often enough. On the flip side, a basset will typically be extremely lazy at home. They tend to love snuggling up on the couch or getting stroked by a new friend.   Image credit    2. You need to have a sense of humor  As opposed to working dogs that focus primarily on the task at hand, basset hounds tend to be fairly "clownish," and you will need to have a sense of humor in order to make the most of owning one. Often, this tendency toward being a goofball will arise at the most inopportune times, such as when you are in a hurry, so you need to be willing to roll with the punches. Your dog is also likely to be extremely stubborn, so you will have more luck with your basset if you can see the humor in distinctly "unfunny" situations.   Image credit    3. Bassets drool all the time Next time you see someone walking a basset hound on the street, make note of how its face and ears look. You will notice that bassets are almost always covered in slobber. Since their skin is so droopy, these dogs tend to get dried drool caked onto their entire bodies much of the time. If you are turned off by an unkempt dog, then a basset probably isn't right for you.   Image credit    4. They're extremely vocal  Hounds in general have a reputation for baying, and bassets are no different. Be prepared for your dog to bay quite often-sometimes for no obvious reason. If you live in an apartment with neighbors who are likely to complain, then you are probably going to have trouble owning a basset. On the other hand, if you enjoy "talking" to your dog, then a basset hound might be the perfect breed.   Image credit    5. You'll need to care for skin, ears, and legs  All dogs are susceptible to certain health problems because of their shape and size. For bassets, the most common problem spots include their skin, ears, and legs. You should plan to clean ears at least weekly so that they don't get infected. Similarly, bacteria can get trapped in skin folds, so you will need to bathe your basset relatively often and always thoroughly towel dry your dog after a walk in the rain or snow. Your hound's legs are likely to become trouble spots as the dog gets older (after all, a basset has a lot of weight to support on such stubby ankles), but you can help your dog out by doing your best to prevent obesity. Feature image credit 

1. "Herrrrrroooo summer!"   image credit 2. "Bikini pose? Check."   image credit   3. "Life is better by the pool!"    image credit 4. "Oh, this old thing!?"   image credit   5. "Hooray for summer!"    image credit 6. "Summertime, and the living is easy."   image credit   7. "Bikini season is my favorite season."   image credit   8. "You bet I'm wearing SPF 100."   image credit   9. "Does this print make me look fat?"   image credit   10. Somebody's fabulous!   image credit   11. Now that's an itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini! image credit 12. "Happiness is a day at the pool."   image credit   13. "I'm sexy and I know it."   image credit 14. "I worked hard for this bikini body."   image credit   15. Nothing wrong with sporting a one-piece!   image credit   16."Excuse me, you're blocking my sun!"   image credit        

The Scottish Fold breed began in a remote barn near Coupar Angus in the Tayside Region of Scotland in 1961. A shepherd and cat fancier, named William Ross spotted an unusual white cat called Susie with folded ears on a neighbouring farm. On closer inspection, it was apparent the cartilage in her ears was bent in the middle, giving her a notable ‘owl-like’ appearance. When she gave birth to a litter of kittens, two inherited their mother’s exotic looks.   Image credit   Ross asked if he might take one of the pair home and Susie’s owners agreed. With the help of English geneticist Pat Turner, Ross and his wife Mary began a breeding program with the kitten, which they named Snooks, with the hope of creating a new breed. They crossed Snooks with British Shorthairs and farm cats and in the first three years the program produced 76 kittens. Of these kittens, 42 had folded ears. Unfortunately three months after Snooks was born Susie was hit and killed by a car. But through her daughter her bloodline and fascinating looks lived on. All Scottish Folds can trace their lineage back to Susie and Snooks.   Image credit Ross registered the breed in the UK with the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy in 1966. The cats were originally called ‘lops’ after lop-eared rabbits but their name was soon changed to ‘Scottish Folds’ to honour their country of origin.   Scottish Folds can have both long and short hair, and come in a broad array of colours. Long-haired Scottish Folds are known by a number of different names, including Highland Fold, Scottish Fold Longhair, Longhair Fold and Coupari. Image credit   Folds are not born with their distinctive ears. As young kittens all Folds have straight, unfolded ears that, if they have the Fold gene, begin to bend within about 21 days. Some kittens’ ears never bend and these cats are dubbed ‘Straights’. Despite their distinctive appearance Scottish Folds still use their ears to express themselves like other breeds. Their ears lay back when they are angry, prick up when they are interested and swivel to listen to noises around them. Folds have a number of other unusual characteristics beside their ears. They are well-known for sleeping on their backs and sitting with their legs stretched out and their paws resting on their belly in the so called ‘Buddha Position’.   Image credit   They also have unique voices, which are very soft and expressive. Their complex repertoire of meows and purrs are not found in any other variety of cat. They are sweet-natured, placid cats that generally become extremely attached to their owners. They are playful and adaptable pets that handle children and other animal companions well.    Image credit Feature image credit

Dubbed the ‘Lassie of the 90’s’, Jack Russell Moose rose to stardom for his role as ‘Eddie Crane’ of hit sitcom ‘Fraiser’.   Moose was born on Christmas Eve 1990 in Lake Country, Florida. He was the last pup born in the litter, but strangely, the biggest. Owners Sam and Connie Thise sold the other three puppies but kept Moose.   Image credit   However, problems soon emerged. Moose was, to put in mildly, wild. He used to climb trees – straight up for about 6 feet, constantly escaped, barked a lot, couldn’t be housetrained, dug holes everywhere, and chewed everything. He also enjoyed rolling around in cow manure, especially after being bathed. He was found chasing horses and cats.   Knowing they were not up to the challenge of caring for the rambunctious Moose, his owners set about finding a new home. This start was rather like Lassie who was given up by his original owners because he was too much to handle.   Struggling to find a family willing to take him on, he was eventually offered to the Florida manager of Birds and Animals Unlimited, a group of animal trainers, Cathy Morrison, as a last resort.   Image credit   For a year and a half, Cathy strived to train the incorrigible Moose. It wasn’t an easy task. She would come home to find him up on the table eating something, or ripping something to pieces in another corner of the house. He was mischief start to finish. But some of the best show business dogs had that kind of spunk and that convinced Cathy to battle on.   When Cathy was about to start marketing Moose as a movie dog, a casting call was put out calling for a small dog to become part of the cast of a new TV show called ‘Fraiser’. He quickly won the role and at just two and a half years old Moose was put on a plane and entered the care of LA trainer Mathilde DeCagny.   Image credit   Moose was found to have a particular talent for staring at Kelsey Grammer fixedly on set and this became a running sight gag in the show.   In order to get Moose to lick and nuzzle on cue, sardine oil was put on actor’s faces and liver pate put behind their ears.   Moose received more fan mail than Fraiser’s human cast members at the height of the show’s popularity. Image credit   With Fraiser’s hit status, concerns began to grow over Moose’s age as the years passed. There were only so many years of his life a dog has the stamina to withstand the demands of a rigorous appearance schedule.   A litter of puppies were bred with Moose as the father, with the hope one could become a stand in for their aging sire. His daughter Miko was thought to be a good option, but never grew large enough, and so was gifted to a technician. A son, Moosie, wasn’t enough of a look-a-like and found a home with Peri Gilpin, the actress who played Roz Doyle. Both dogs however appeared in the show as a litter of puppies ‘Eddie’ was supposed to a have fathered with a neighbour’s poodle. Image credit   Another son Enzo had unusually similar facial markings to his father and so was cultivated as his TV heir. He originally worked as a stunt double, performing more physically challenging tricks as Moose aged. In the eighth season he took over the role in its entirety.   After retirement, Moose spent the last six years of his like in West Los Angeles in the home of Mathilde, her husband and Jill, a fellow canine actor who starred in As Good As It Gets. He died of natural causes at the age of 15 and a half and was mourned around the world.    

Many of our four legged friends love accompanying their owners on car drives to exciting destinations: the park, the beach, a friends house - never the vet though! Car safety is of paramount importance to humans and the same should be extended to dogs. Dog seat belts are a great product that will protect your pooch in a potential road accident and minimize any distrubances they can sometimes cause during transit - all of which provides assurance to owners. We take a look at some dog seatbelts currently on the market.    Solvit Pet Vehicle Safety Harness   Image credit The Solvit Pet Vehicle Safety Harness is a popular product with owners and dogs alike. The device comes in four sizes fitting pets between 45-85 pounds (20-38 kgs), which should fit most dogs comfortably - although our tiniest companions will struggle! The harness is made of breathable materials with accompanying heavy duty straps and metal connectors. It also installs easily into almost any vehicle and is very easy to unclip. The good thing about the Solvit Pet Harness is that it doesn't restrict movement but still retrains your dog during sudden stopping with is very important. This product is designed to bring comfort to your dog - it's well padded preventing it from cutting into your pooch's neck or chest. Overall this is a great product that brings owners peace of mind - and even your four legged friend will enjoy wearing it!  Buy this product here.    HDP Car Harness Dog Safety Seat Belt Gear Travel System   Image credit The HDP Car Harness is a durable device that is easily adjustable allowing your pet to position themselves comfortably throughout car journeys. It has quick release buckles and effectively protects your pets whilst travelling. This product is ideal if your pet enjoys jumping around in the backseat of your vehicle as it prevents them from moving about too much, but still keeping them comfortable. It's easy to clip in and out and is particularly useful on smaller dogs like Jack Russells or on dogs with a body shape like that of a daschund - which can sometimes be a struggle finding a seatbelt or harness to fit them. This is a flexible and durable product which suits most dogs.    Buy this product here.    EzyDog Seat Belt Restraint for Dogs   Image credit   The EzyDog Seat Belt Restraint is a sturdy and reliable product. It allows dogs to be seated comfortably whilst minimizing the possibility of driving distractions. This product is designed to be used with an EzyDog harness, but it is possible to use it on its own although you may not achieve as much flexibility, depending on the size of your dog and the type of seat belts you have. What's great about this product is that it is flexible so your dog can sit up or lie down during journeys. It's also really simple to use and implement and is incredibly convenient - you can just tuck it away when you're not using it. Overall this is a great product, but it does work best in conjunction with a harness for maximum flexibilty and comfort.  Buy this product here.   Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Dog Harness with Quick Release Buckles   Image credit   The Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Dog Harness is a well designed and functional device that is easy to put on your dog and provides comfort from it's generously padded design. Its quick release buckles make it easy to install and with five adjustable points you can make sure your dog is extremely comfy. This is an affordable product and it's also of great quality. Another plus to this product is that it's also functional as a harness to use whilst walking and is a great tool to help train naughty pups who like to pull when out for a walk. This all round great product is diverse, comfortable and easy to use although it may not work well for very large dogs.  Buy this product here.    If you've used any of these products please leave your comments below and tell us your thoughts. Feature image credit    

  Dogs are always known as 'man's best friend' but in this particular instance we see a cat become a little boy's best friend and hero. In a fierce display of protection, the family cat comes to the rescue of a little boy who is attacked by a dog whilst out playing. It's powerful footage that could be distressing for some.  Be sure to SHARE this amazing and powerful footage. 

People sent to the ‘doghouse’ might not mind so much if they had to settle in the canine pad built by one dog lover in the United Kingdom.   A pair of beloved Great Danes have had £250,000 dropped by their surgeon mistress to create one of a kind dog kennel on her 550 acre Lower Mill Estate at the Cotswolds Water Park, near Cirencester.   Image credit For their enjoyment, the kennel features sheepskin-lined temperature-controlled beds and a £150,000 sound system and a plasma TV with a 52-inch screen. Automatic dispensers ensure dry food for snaking on and chilled, filtered water is always available for the pampered pooches. It also includes an 18-inch deep spa with a saline treatment built in, which has been proven help keep dog coats in premium condition.   Image credit To ensure no sibling squabbles, each dog has its own bedroom which large windows with a view of their own personal playgrounds. Of course they also have an air-conditioning and heating system to ensure the Great Danes are always cosy and never hot.   Webcams are installed throughout the dog apartment so their lady owner can monitor her pet’s activities throughout the day.   A retina scanner is installed at the front door to ensure no other neighbourhood dogs are sneaking into the exclusive pet retreat.   Image credit The kennel was designed by award-winning architect Andy Ramus. It's about a quarter of the size of the main residence ‘Hedron House’ which has been priced at £1.4 million.   Not only is it super luxurious, the kennel is also eco-friendly. The main house and kennel produce more energy than they use, utilizing an underground heat pump, geothermal heating and its own solar and wind power.  Feature image credit

Westminster is one of the biggest and oldest dog shows in the world. After the Kentucky Derby, which began in 1875, Westminster is the second-longest continuously running event in United States history. The first show took place on May 8, 1877 meaning Westminster pre-dates the invention of the light bulb, the car and the basketball. Since its opening over 300, 000 dogs have entered in the show.   Image credit Westminster was initially a show for gun dogs such as Setter and Pointer breeds. It was created by a group of hunters who were enthusiastic supporters of these breeds at the Westminster Hotel at Irving Place and Sixteenth Street in Manhattan. Held at the Hippodrome, the very first show drew astonishing crowds. Over 1200 dogs were entered and the three days the show was originally scheduled to span was extended to four. All proceeds from the fourth day of the Westminster show were donated to the ASPCA to create a home for stray and disabled dogs. The prizes for first place winners included pearl handled pistols.   Image credit Entrants are judged on how closely they match the breed standards. This is the description in which the traits of the ideal specimen on the breed are laid out. For the most part, breeds no longer complete the tasks they were originally designed to carry out, however these origins are integral to the standards. A dog must, in its physical make up and temperament, be able to complete the tasks traditionally assigned to them. Other cosmetic characteristics, such as fur colour and tail carriage are also important.   Image credit Westminster’s popularity is still enormous. Now held in Madison Square Garden only 2500 dog entrants can be accepted due to space considerations. The entrant spaces fill immediately and tickets always sell out. Due to top performers in the past missing out on a spot due to the furor for places, since 1992 the Westminster Kennel Club has allowed dogs determined from the previous year’s contestants as the top five of each breed to pre-enter to assure talented contenders have the chance to compete.   Image credit  The show works like this: dogs first compete at breed level against others of their own kind. The first place winner of each breed group then goes on to compete in one of seven groups under which their breed may be categorized. These groups include Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding. The winner of each group then advances to the final competition for Best in Show. The Best in Show winner becomes an instant celebrity. It begins its media tour the day after its win and makes appearances on television shows and at public events. It is a tradition for the dog to visit the New York Stock Exchange to ring the opening bell.   Image credit Interestingly, thirteen Wire Fox Terriers have taken the top dog prize in the show’s history, but both the Labrador or Golden Retriever, two of America’s favourite dog breeds, are yet to do so. A Smooth Fox Terrier called Ch. Warren Remedy is the only dog to have won Best in Show three times, and did so three years in a row (1907-1909).   Feature image credit