BarkWorld Day 1

In case you haven't heard, mom abandoned me to go to BarkWorld this week. After my recent experience last month in a hotel, we all decided (me included) that I was happier at home. But I made her tell me all about it last night so I could share with my readers.

Not sure what mom thinks, but I believe the most exciting thing was all the cool stuff she got to take home for me! She got some Nylabone treats for me. You know how much of a chewer I am, so I am too aggressive for their regular bones but mom found out they have treats you can eat too and she has some for me! She got me a new tag with a QR code on it  from Pet QR Tag so if I ever get lost whoever finds me will be able to find out where I belong. There are other tags with web updates but there is no additional fee to keep the info updated on the web with their tag!

She also got me a new leash from Leash Locket that retracts into a gizmo (locket) that I carry on my collar. We are going to try that out and let you know how it works. She also got a coupon for a Perfect Sweep Turbo sweeper from Bissell  to clean up all that tracked cat litter (I never make a mess). I will be doing a blog on that too and will share a $5 off coupon code. By the way, mom tried it and that sweeper works great. Of course in our house, dad does the cleaning but we think even he can handle it.

The conference is at the Loews Atlanta and mom says the conference facilities are great. Here is a picture she took from the balcony yesterday.

She is meeting some really cool humans and dogs and some have some neat pet businesses and she is learning a lot about social media topics.

Mom did her presentation on Facebook advertising. You can see the slides from her presentation by clicking here.

She said her favorite thing from the first day was getting to hear Victoria Stilwell talk. Mom says she was great and all my pals should check out her website and social media sites. We love her show It's Me or the Dog and her positive training methods. (Sorry for the Blackberry picture, her good pictures are trapped in the camera until she gets home).

Mom will share some more stuff later so stay tuned.

Pets for a Lifetime: Which Pets Live the Longest?

Today I am thrilled to present my very first guest post which has been contributed by Tina Marconi. Tina writes on the topic of online vet tech schools. She welcomes your comments at her email id: tinamarconi85[@]gmail[.]com. I added the pictures to go with her post.


Remember when you had a dog when you were a child and then he disappeared suddenly and was replaced by another? Remember how your mom told you that your old pet had been sent to a farm to live because he needed more room than you had in your home? And remember when you finally figured out the truth, that your dog had died because that’s just how long dogs live – a maximum of 12 years or so?

It’s hard when a pet, which is a beloved member of the family, dies after a few years of being a significant part of your life. So if you’re looking for a pet that lives as long as you do, or at least for a good number of years, then you probably have to choose a turtle or a tortoise, because they can live for 75 or more years. However, not everyone considers a tortoise a pet, unless you prefer the reptilian kind and don’t really feel the need to cuddle or play with them.

 Photo courtesy of Virginia State Parks

If you like backtalk and some color around the house, you could go in for a parrot, a cockatoo or a macaw – many of these birds can live for 60 or more years, and they give you quite an earful too if they can talk. It could become embarrassing if the birds repeat the choice epithets you’ve uttered when you hit your leg against the sofa or cut yourself inadvertently, but on the upside, you always have someone to talk to and a voice greeting you as you walk into an otherwise empty house.

Photo courtesy of Riza Nugraha

Again, you can’t really cuddle your bird, so if you’re looking for a warm-blooded mammal that lives long, then go for a horse. Of course, if you own a horse, you need a farm or a large open area where you can exercise and ride him and where he is happy and content. City life is not for your horsey, so when you live in the hustle and bustle of streets filled with traffic and in apartments that can be covered end to end with a dozen strides, your best bet for a pet that lives long is a dog or a cat.

Cats live a year or so longer than dogs, but with a feline or a canine, you get to enjoy 10 to 15 years of companionship. The downside to owning a dog is that they require considerable grooming, training and looking after, so most people prefer a cat. But then again, dogs are more people-friendly while cats tend to be disdainful of the entire human clan.

My Sisfur Majel lived 18 years!

If you want a pet in a cage and one small enough to hold in your hand, go for a rabbit, gerbil, guinea pig, hamster or a mouse – they live for 2 to 3 years, and make ideal pets for children who tend to outgrow their interests faster than you can find them new ones. 
The choice of a pet boils down to the kind of animal you love the most, but then, considerations like age, space and cost do add to the mix and make the decision more complicated. It’s best to weigh all the factors involved, and then do what’s best for yourself and your pet.

Thanks Tina!