Advice for Human Moms & Human Dads, Too!

Why Nannys & Grandparents Have What it Takes to Calm the Savage Baby Beast

Baby Tesa is screaming at the top of her lungs while you run about the kitchen frantically trying to locate her favorite cup. The faster you move, the louder she cries.

You are totally shocked as Grandmother Thelma enters the room, tosses a "How's my baby girl" to Baby Tesa, and receives a beaming smile in the process. We'll explain why.  continue

You Named Your Kid What??

Originally, the name you chose for your child seemed ideal. And now that time has passed and the true character of your child has emerged, that kicky name just doesn't fit. What to do, and how to solve this name's-taking issue. continue

How to Choose the Perfect Family Pet

Furry friends have a way of wiggling their way into our hearts, but once home we may realize that there's a lot of work ahead so that the new family pet can bond with the family. Like a few words of advice before pet shopping? Then look no further as Animal Rehabilitators Tom and Sky lend their suggestions on choosing the perfect pet.

If your family leads a busy schedule, a pet that's low maintenance might provide the greatest pleasure in the long run. And if there are tots in the house, a friendly pet is a must.

Dogs: We recommend two of the friendliest breeds of dogs - Labs and Golden Retrievers. Both make excellent pets and are low maintenance. The downside is that both breeds are of large-size.

Smaller dogs generally do not work well for those with small children. The little pom that we rescued from an animal shelter was picked up by her front legs by small children until she suffered damage. However, if a small pet is appealing and small tots are in the house, the proper techniques for handling a small pet can be taught with a bit of patience from the parent, and the pet - establishing a long, well-rewarding relationship.

Dogs make fabulous companions and require daily interaction from their family in addition to a clean bed, play toys, leash, clean water and food. Dogs should be taken to the vet when ill, and at least annually for shots and a checkup.

Cats: Cats tend to work best in those families with older children. Unlike many breeds of dogs, cats aren't very patient when they are crossed. Like dogs, cats require vet trips, shots, clean water, food and a liter box that should be cleaned at least once per day. In addition, cats may trigger allergic reactions in some individuals. Cats tend to be loners, but when they demand love, rejection is not an option.

Before deciding upon the cat that is perfect for your family, ask about the breed's tendency to shedding, as well as susceptibility to certain diseases.

Ferrets: At one time, we were rehabilitating 14 ferrets. Some were neglected by their owners, others were unwanted, and some were simply not adoptable. Ferrets are very high maintenance and should NOT be caged except when a situation arises that would present danger to the ferret - such as while vacuuming or when guests visit.

Ferrets require a very specific diet as well as trips to the vet and shots. Ferrets also tend to acquire diseases that require surgery, such as adrenal disease. An operation may cost anywhere from $200 - $700 for adrenal, depending upon the severity and the vet. Of the ferrets that we have raised, we lost one who was just over a year old to juvenile lymphoma, and one who was about nine - a ripe old age for a domesticated ferret. This is to say that a healthy-looking ferret can fall seriously ill at the blink of an eye and may live a very short life - or they may live for years without any health issues.

Ferrets sleep about twenty hours per day but the four hours that they are awake, they are a continuous ball of energy.

We have received much joy from our ferrets over the years, but take note that they can trigger allergies. Air filters may help combat allergy, but are no guarantee. We do not recommend ferrets for those families with small children due to the number of ferrets who are surrendered under this circumstance. Ferrets require toys, a specific diet, much interaction and activity, clean water, trips to the vet, shots, often surgery to correct disease, blankets, a holding cage, toys and a hammock.

Fish: Perhaps one of the best pets for those with small kids. When the aquarium is effectively monitored, fish require very little maintenance. One of the most common mistakes made with fish pet owners is overfeeding. The pet store reps will most likely be happy to show all the supplies necessary for setting up a crystal-clear aquarium.

Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, Gerbils: Not recommended for families with tots. Requires daily changing of the liter and bedding. Although guinea pigs are one of my favorite pets, I must admit as a prior owner of three over the years, I did dread the daily ritual of the changing of the cage. It was a huge daily job that continued for years and years. A common mistake made by many small rodent owners is overfeeding of raw veggies, which can turn the cage into a swamp.

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Flat Broke With a Kid Who is Name-Brand Conscious

From the coffee we drink to the clothes on our backs, we are influenced by name-brand offerings. After all, if it ain't hip, I'll be a pip. With very little cash, we'll take your kid from pip to hip. continue

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