If pets could do the talking , the typing and not just the walking, pehaps they would have more socially active lives than their human parents!

One thing most animal beahviour experts seem to agree on, is that pets need to be socialised as part of their training. The best thing we can do for them if to make sure they engage with other humans and animals.

This would be music to Toffee's ears, being a social and playful labrador who would like to stay in the park all day finding playmates, even disgruntled dogs or those squirrels she can never catch! Of course freedom and fun and not the only reasons for socialise your pet.

Broadening their social experience is meant to be an effective way of teaching them to fit our expectations. Of course pets are exposed to our daily lives and this usually  means they are comfortable and familiar with the behaviour we expect of them at home...but what of the situations that break withe the norm? Well apparently introducing  contrasting situations at the earliest opportunity can help avoid any socacialisation issues both with other pets and unfamiliar humans.

That's it...now I am going to be organising play-dates at home for Toffee as well as the children! Could pet pals bring their own toys to avoid arguments? Let me know how you avoid social siberia for your pet!

A US firm "Vet-Stem" is providing a new treatment designed to help alleviate the pain suffered by dogs with arthritis.

The therapy involves injecting stem cells into arthritic joints in order to facilitate flexibility and generally improve pet health.

A total of 700 dogs from across the US have so far undergone the treatment. Dr Jacek de Haan from Affiliated Veterinary Specialists in Maitland comments: "Usually, activity level improves, theyr'e able to run more and be more active. If they weren't able to jump on furniture before, they are about to do it afterwards."

As in humans, any advance in the treatment of arthritis that can stem (forgive the pun) the pain of this debilitating condition is very welcome indeed, and by all accounts this method is bringing positive results: an 11 year old Australian shepherd called Maggie Mae, was taken to Florida for treatment and her owner Terry Hays was clearly happy to have made the journey : "I'm just thrilled to think Maggie Mae has been a part of it. If this is something that works, it could help many people and many animals someday. "

Fingers and paws crossed...we will keep an ear to the ground for any further progress reports!

For some pets, Independance Day will not be a cause for celebration. We might love the fireworks, but remember they can send pets, especially dogs, into a state of real panic.

If you have already gone through this with your pet, then you will recognise the signs immediately: trembling, cowering, disorientation, and some dogs are so frightened they may do something drastic like jump out of a window, or over a fence that is too high.

Every year animal shelters deal with lost dogs and cats, so many have bolted from the usual safety of their homes.

There are common sense ways to try and reduce the anxiety for you and the stress for your pet: try to keep him or her inside as much as possible on the day, and even before and after for a few days if your pet is extremely worried by fireworks.

For useful tips on how you can avoid distress and keep your pet safe check this link from the Oregon Humane Society :

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/argus/index.ssf?/base/news/1213725095179830.xml&coll=6

Taking photographs of your pet is a pretty effective way to capture those treasured moments and unique expressions...but if you are like me you are snap-happy and have endless pictures that stay on the disc or the computer, then at some point you might consider commissioning "The Portrait" - an oil painting, a drawing, whatever the medium, the artist has to capture the unique characteristics of your pet! His or her prime spot on the wall is guaranteed as sentimental value comes first, but depending on the artist you pick, the portrait might be a contemporary work of art with a value of its own! Your treasured pet immortalised and a family heirloom, what more could you want?!

If you are after something a little 'off- mainstream' then check out J.Penry Pet Portraits who is known for his melodramatic illustrations for album covers and the pages of Vice, since he has also turned his humorous pen to personalised pet portraits to capture the character behind the face!

For the more traditional approach to pet portraiture, I suggest featuring some talented artists over the coming months, and, if you know a genius aritist from first paw experience, then please let us all know in your blog on P.C

For news on J.Penry, follow the New York Daily Candy link below!

http://www.dailycandy.com/new_york/article/37445?media=print

You may be doing your pet a huge favour by joining Paws Connect without even realising it! Look upon social networking on this site as a kind of complimentary insurance policy: the extensive reach of social networking sites such as this and Facebook which is now a household name, could someday help reunite you or someone you know with a lost pet.

The amazing story of a Himalayan cat missing since Friday, August 13,2005 in Sydney, reunited with his owner almost three years later! The cat's microchip, the help of an animal shelter and a persistant RSPCA inspector all played a part in solving the mystery, but ultimately, it was thanks to Facebook that the owner was tracked down.

See a picture of Jacob and read this happy story by following the link below

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/06/21/1214009167385.html