 Image © Sarah Deer; Flickr.com Road trip! Packing up all the kids and pets can be very stressful in itself. Add on the responsibility of caring for all of them and it can get pretty overwhelming. Can your kids help care for the pets during a road trip? More to the point, can they do it all? As a veteran mom and pet owner, I know firsthand it can be done. However, there are many factors to consider first. Some of the main ones include travel method, pet size, ownership control, and responsibility levels.
How are the pets traveling? If the pet is traveling inside a cage or carrier, it may be easier for the kids to care for the than if they are traveling another way. Pets can get agitated during traveling. Usually, this behavior will occur in cats or dogs. Those contained inside a carrier may be easier to control. Small animals, like hamsters, guinea pigs, and rabbits should be traveling in a cage. They cannot run loose around the vehicle. Not only will they be harder for kids to handle that way. But they will also not be safe at all. What size are the pets? Larger pets are better cared for by the adults during a road trip. This is because you never know what an animal will do when frightened or agitated. Your pet may be perfectly fine and not have any reaction at all. Then again, exactly the opposite can happen and you don't want your child to be on the end of that. Large animals should be secured safely in the proper travel restraint. Small animals are likely to be in their cages. Therefore, they are not likely to be a direct threat to your child. Can your child calm the pets? If the pets are easily soothed by your child, it may be a good idea to have them somewhat near your child on the trip. Again, consider safety. But as long as your child and the pet are safe, there is no harm in your child using soothing words to ease the pet's fears. A cat or dog may be easily calmed by hearing your child's voice or by your child petting his fur. Who's in charge? The kids or the pets? This is very important. Does your dog or your child normally run the show? If it's the latter, it will be very difficult to calm and care for a pet during travel. In this case, this is not a responsibility for your kids to take on. On the other hand, if your child is very good at controlling the animal's behavior, safety may not be an issue in that area. In that case, it may actually be a good thing for your child to care for the animals during the trip. Is your child really responsible enough for this duty? Road trips are stressful for kids as it is. Some kids can handle the extra added responsibility of one or more animals. But others would be better off leaving that up to the parents. Pet care during a road trip can be a great lesson in responsibility. But it's only a good idea if you know that your child will be a positive influence on the animal's behavior, as well as tend to their basic needs. While parents are focused on the road, kids with this task will be checking on the pet's water, food, waste elimination, and other needs. If your child already handles these kind of duties at home, it will be easier to catch on to proper procedures during road trips. *This advice is based on the author's personal experiences and is not meant to replace that of your veterinarian or pediatrician. Always ask licensed animal care specialist about your pet's specific needs. Always contact a licensed pediatrician about your child's health and care.  Image © steffens77; Flickr.com "Awww, mommy can I hold her? Please?" Hamsters are small and fragile. But they are also extremely cute and cuddly -- if you know how to hold them correctly. Helping kids learn how to hold a hamster for the first time is both fun and a chore. As a mom to kids who have adopted several hamsters in need, I've had plenty of experience in this area.
Hold the hamster yourself. Before you let the kids hold a hamster, you need to display the proper way to hold her by doing so yourself. The visual cue will make it easier for your child to see what the proper holding method is. Point out what you are doing with each step. For instance, you might say "I'm letting her crawl in my hand, not grabbing her" or "When I hold her, I don't squeeze too hard because she might get hurt." Have your child wear gardening gloves at first. This will protect his hands in case the hamster decides to nip a little. While hamster bites are not always painful, the action of the bite can startle a child into letting go of the hamster. Therefore the gloves are safer for both the hamster and the child. The reason gardening gloves are a good choice is because of the canvas fabric. Hamsters may get their little claws stuck in wool and other more porous materials. Their nails can be clipped but it's not ideal since they are so small. If you must have them clipped, leave the job to a licensed veterinary expert. Even with clipped nails, they can still get stuck because they shouldn't be trimmed down too far. For this reason, we choose to just let our hamsters keep their nails as they are. We won't clip them unless they become a danger to the animals. Hamsters like to crawl down, not up. When the kids are handling the hamsters, remember this rule as far as getting them out of the cage. For the purposes of picking them up, hamsters actually feel safer crawling down onto someone's hand, rather than hopping up into it. What I do is have the kids open the cage door and place their hand slightly underneath the opening. All of our hamsters are satisfied with this method. They'll come right out the door and down onto the hand. When placing the hand inside the cage, they are less sure if they want to get out. This is likely because hamsters are very territorial and anything invading their space may be seen as a threat. It's also because when you place your hand in the cage this way, they have to climb up into your hand. We've had several hamsters and they've all preferred climbing down instead. Allow the hamster to go to your child. In addition to the way in which the child allows the hamster to crawl, she needs to know that hamsters do not like being grabbed. It can be tempting for a child to grab a hamster who doesn't willingly come into his hand. However, this is not the proper way to do things. Instead, the child needs to place a gloved hand a short distance from the hamster and be quiet, still, and patient. Wait, can a child actually do those three things? Of course they can. Part of being a pet parent is learning responsibility and this will help a great deal. The child should leave the gloved hand right outside the door for about 30 second at a time. If the hamster does not come, the child can try again in a little while. Eventually, the hamster will become curious and go for it. After practice, the hamster will soon learn that this is an invitation to come out of the cage and have some fun. Show your child what to do when the hamster moves. Hamsters don't always sit still. It's important that kids know about this from the beginning. Our hamsters like to run up and down our arms. They also like to perch on our shoulders. Kids need oi be prepared for this and need to know how to keep the hamster safe during this activity. We always keep at least one hand near the hamster. That way, if they slip a little (which can and does happen), they are not going to fall. Teach your child to have his hand follow the hamster's movements to ensure safety for the small animal. *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network  Your child's furry friend is so cute and cuddly. But there is so much more to caring for a hamster than enjoying the cuteness. Based on our family's experiences, there are many important life lessons kids can learn from hamster care. While this wasn't our intention when the kids began rescuing hamsters, we quickly learned that hamsters can teach kids a thing or two. This contributed to the decision to continue hamster rescues whenever we have room.
Firmly drive home the 'be gentle' lesson. This is a lesson parents try to instill in their kids from the start. Being gentle with people, objects, and animals is such an important life lesson. Caring for a hamster really shows the kids firsthand that it's important to be gentle. Because hamsters are so small, it is easier for a child to understand exactly why being gentle is important. You would think that the gentle lesson would end with the hamsters. But that's not the case at all in our house. Once the kids started caring for hamsters, they became more gentle in other situations as well. Animals have feelings, too. Before caring for a pet, many kids don't automatically assume or realize just how much a pet can feel. The first hamster my kids adopted taught this lesson very well. He came from a home where he was abused and neglected. Because of this, he was very sad and aggressive. My kids learned that with lots of love and attention, even the most vulnerable animals (and people) can change. Animals have feelings just like we do and when you don't acknowledge that, things can go very wrong very quickly. Cleanliness matters. Because hamster cages must be cleaned at least once or twice per week, kids will quickly learn that cleanliness is key. Not only will the cage look and smell bad, but hamsters are not very happy when they have dirty cages. Cleaning the hamster cage consistently made my kids think deeper about cleaning their own spaces. I noticed them cleaning more often than usual without me asking once they started cleaning up after the hamsters. Timing is everything. If you don't feed a hamster, clean the cage, and give fresh water on schedule, you're going to have a very tired, hungry, dirty (and possibly worse) hamster on your hands. My kids knew from the very beginning that these things and other routine care were a must. Staying on track with the hamster care has taught my kids to stay on track with other things as well. Budgeting makes a difference. When the kids are made to track just how much a pet hamster eats, as well as what resources are used, it gets them thinking. I let my kids add up exactly how much food, bedding, treats, toys, and other necessities cost each month. Each child knows how much it costs to take care of their pet. We have a limit as to how many animals are allowed. The kids also know that the amount needed for pet care is a must in each month's budget. Once they reach a certain age, this amount (and any other hamster care fees necessary) will be their responsibility and they are aware of this. Not only does this help teach kids responsibility, but budgeting is a lesson they will need for survival. *Please note that the author is not a licensed veterinarian or pediatrician. The advice and information contained herein is based solely on the author's personal experiences. Always talk to an appropriately licensed professional when it comes to the care of your kids and pets. **I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network  Image © stevendepolo; Flickr.com Ever since I was a child, I have always been drawn to animals. I now witness the same connection to animals in my own kids. Whether your kids have a natural desire toward animals or it needs to be developed, kids and pets can make a great mix. Learn how and why kids and pets can make a great mix.
Pets and kids can create a lasting bond. Chances are, you have witnessed a friend or family member bonding with a pet. Perhaps it was you. The bond that occurs between animals and their caregivers is undeniable. This is true, whether the owner is a kid or adult. When your child and a pet grow up together, they can become inseparable, almost like siblings. Pets and kids understand each other. Just like kids can develop friendships with other kids, the same can happen with animals. With friendship becomes an understanding that can only come from a close relationship. This is good both for the animals, as well as your kids. Whether your child has a guinea pig, dog, cat, rat, or other animal, you'll begin to notice the special way they communicate with each other. Whenever my daughter's guinea pig sees her, he gets very excited and starts jumping up and down with squeals of delight. He only has that reaction with her. She knows what each of his sounds and actions mean and can tend to his needs by paying attention to these cues. Kids learn responsibility by having pets. When kids are taught to care for pets properly, they learn responsibility. Pets are almost like having children. They have needs to tend to every single day. Basic needs like food, water, love, and a clean habitat are essential. Then, there are more things to do, such as training, grooming, and exercise. Each pet has its own needs. But they all create extra tasks for kids. This is a very good lesson in what it's like to be responsible for another's well-being. Be sure that if your child adopts a pet, the duties are left up to him. Parents may need to do certain things, especially at first. But let your child do as much as possible. Pets are good preparation for family and careers. Speaking of being responsible for another, pet care helps prepare kids for their future. While pets and human babies are different, raising a pet helps prepare kids for potentially raising kids later in life. It also helps them practice essential skills, such as follow-through, that will be ideal for employment. A child who is used to completing required tasks every day is probably more likely to succeed in the business world than one who has less responsibility. Kids and pets both need plenty of love and both provide it. Your child can be an important source of love and enrichment for a pet. The pet will in turn do the same for your child. While kids can and should get love from family and friends, the love a pet has its place as well. One can never have too much love. That goes for both kids and pets. If your child has a pet, encourage daily cuddling or other means of affection. It will depend on the pet as to the types of affection given. For instance, a child may talk soothingly to a turtle. But he can hug and pet a cat or dog. Extra tips:
 Image © ullisoo; Flickr.com "Mommyyyyyyyy!! He's so cuuuute!!! Can I have him? Pleeeeease?!" The squeals of an excited child are hard to resist mid-moment. But before you allow your child to adopt a guinea pig, be sure it isn't just a phase. I knew my daughter was interested in caring for a guinea pig for more than a second because she took the time to educate herself before the fact. From the moment she first laid eyes on one, she set out on a mission to learn all she could. Helping your child adopt a guinea pig is about much more than making the purchase and gathering the necessary supplies.
Prepare in advance. Before you ever bring a new guinea pig home, be sure your child understands how to care for one ahead of time. Check out books at the library and read them together. Your child can also read information on the web from trusted sources and organizations. Take your child to local animal shelters and be sure there is interaction between the child and the guinea pigs. Your child's reaction, as well as the reactions from the guinea pigs will give you an idea of whether your child should adopt one. What does my child need to know? Aside from dietary needs, proper housing and bedding, and fresh water, there are plenty of other things your child needs to know. The proper room temperature is also key. Consider the age of the guinea pig as well as any special needs. Your child also needs to talk with the appropriate licensed professional both before and after adopting the guinea pig. There are many things besides regular feeding and care that your child should know. Some pet stores and animal shelters offer classes kids can take about proper pet care. Can my child sign the adoption papers? This will depend on the location where your child adopts the guinea pig. Most likely, even if your child can sign the papers, the signature of a parent or guardian also needs to be present for anyone under the age of 18. When my daughter adopted her guinea pig, she was able to sign the paper as the pet parent. But as her legal guardian, I also was required to sign. This is to ensure that an adult is held responsible for the proper care of the animal. Where should we adopt a guinea pig? There are a whole host of options when it comes to adopting guinea pigs. Many people purchase guinea pigs from pet stores rather than from a reliable breeder or shelter. Our family prefers to adopt animals from shelters for many reasons. Many times the animals sold via pet stores have been victim to mass breeding, mistreatment, and other issues. Aside from knowing we have saved a life, our family appreciates the fact that the animals in shelters have been vetted. Most will come with a medical guarantee of some kind, assuring that the animal has been checked by a licensed and certified professional. Does my child need to have experience with guinea pigs first? While it is not always a requirement for adoption, it's smart to educate your child beforehand. This helps prevent certain issues from arising and it's also best for the safety of the guinea pig, as well as your child. Adopting a guinea pig should be treated with as much care as adopting a child. Adoption is more than just taking home a cute and cuddly friend. It also means responsibility for that guinea pig's life. The moment you and your child sign those adoption papers, the guinea pig becomes a part of the family and family is for life. *Always contact a licensed veterinarian for the health of your animals. The information above is not meant to replace the advice of a qualified professional and is derived solely from the author's own personal experiences.  Image © Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved Time to clean the guinea pig's cage for the first time. But do your kids really know how to do it? They need to be taught step by step to ensure that the guinea pig stays clean, healthy, and happy. Cleaning the cage seems simple enough. While teaching my kids to clean the guinea pig cage, I realized there are important things to remember so that the guinea pig is safe at all times.
Put the guinea pig in a safe temporary location. Guinea pigs are very good escape artists. So they should be in a secured location that is safe for them to play in. An extra cage or hutch works great for this purpose. You also may want to use a guinea pig playpen. Show your child how to be sure there is no way for the guinea pig to escape. Kids also need to know that supervision is important during the cage cleaning, unless the guinea pig is in a securely locked cage. Show the kids how to disassemble the cage. As you take apart the cage, show the kids how it is done with each step. It may take longer when you have to explain things. But it will be worth it when the kids gain the knowledge to do it for themselves. Some cages simply pull away from the base tray. Others may only allow for the bottom tray to slide out while the cage stays intact. Guinea pig cages and hutches can be a decent size. Therefore, depending on your child's age and ability, you may have to help with or be responsible for the cage cleaning. Having a scoop for bedding removal makes it easier for kids. Since guinea pig cages and hutches are fairly large, it's easier to scoop out the bedding than it is to dump it into the trash. Large kitty litter scoops work great for this duty. Be sure you and the kids are wearing gloves while cleaning out the cage. Be sure all the bedding has been scooped out before moving on to the washing. Give the kids tips on washing the cage. The guinea pig's cage should be washed only with a very mild soap and should be rinsed very thoroughly. The kids need to know how important that is. Guinea pigs can become sick or worse from even a small amount of soap. We like to use an environmentally-friendly mild dish liquid that is chemical free, fragrance free, and dye free. Some choose to use the cage cleaning solution found in pet supply stores. Soaking all the parts of the cage in boiling hot water helps to sterilize the items. Once you wash and rinse all the cage parts, allow it to air dry. This is to avoid it coming in contact with any chemicals, dust, or germs that may be lurking in towels. Show them how to replace bedding and reassemble cage. Once the cage is dry, explain to the kids how to reassemble the cage. If your kids are like mine, they may already know this from putting it together after purchase. We find it helpful to place bedding (and any accessories that go into the cage bottom) in the bottom tray before putting up the top and sides. The guinea pig can be returned to the cage once it has been properly assembled and food, water, salt and mineral licks, toys, and other accessories have been replaced. *Always contact a licensed veterinarian for the health of your animals. The information above is not meant to replace the advice of a qualified professional and is derived solely from the author's own personal experiences. **I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network  Image © Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved Many animals are adopted without advance preparation. Helping your child adopt a hamster responsibly includes learning all about their care. It also includes following various procedures. The exact process will depend on the venue, as well as any special needs the hamster may have. Advance preparation can go a long way to ensure your child is interested in providing a healthy, happy life for the hamster.
What should my child know before adopting a hamster? Things like proper diet, what type of housing to use, and the best bedding are essential. But there's much more than that when it comes to the care of a hamster. If your child is going to adopt a hamster, knowing how to hold the hamster, exercise the hamster, and knowing warning signs is also key. It's also a good idea to teach your child random hamster facts, such as the fact that hamsters can hiss when upset. They also may box when threatened. How can we prepare? Our first hamster was a rescue, leaving us wholly unprepared. All of his supplies had to be bought the same day and we learned how to care for him along the way. While that can be a good way to learn, it's better to be prepared. Study up on what a hamster will need and have plenty supplies beforehand. Doing this has helped us in future hamster adoptions. Now whenever we have room and come across a hamster that needs to be adopted immediately, we don't have much worry about supplies, as we already have them. I don't recommend stocking up on food too far in advance, as food can expire. But things like toys, bedding, the cage, an exercise wheel, an exercise ball, obstacle course supplies, and other entertainment and care supplies can be purchased well in advance. The less time you are worrying about supplies, the more time you and your child can spend with your newly adopted hamster. Where can my child learn about proper hamster care? A licensed professional can give you and your child the very best advice. You can also consult books and trusted websites for supplemental information. Some pet supply stores and shelters will offer classes and workshops about proper pet care. It's also a great idea to visit animal shelters and spend time with hamsters before adopting. Let your child hold a hamster to test reactions. A combination of all of the above and more ensures well-rounded hamster care experience. Where should we go to adopt a hamster? The best specific place to go will depend on your area. Hamsters are found in pet stores, with breeders, and with shelters and rescue groups. Where you go will be up to you. Because pet store hamsters are often the result of mass breeding and other issues, we prefer to instead support shelters and rescues. All of our hamsters have come from unfortunate situations. Shelters and rescue groups often have hamsters of all ages who were abandoned, abused, or neglected. Adopting a hamster in need is a good deed and may also give your child a healthy dose of joy. Is my child really ready to care for a hamster? After all of your preparation, are you still wondering if your child is ready? You should be able to tell during and after preparation for the hamster if your child is really ready to adopt. Look at the way your child reacts to the hamsters, as well as to care study. If your child becomes bored with all the preparation, you may be overdoing it or your child may not be ready. If you cannot easily and honestly answer whether your child is ready, you should wait. If your child is educationally prepared and visibly happy about adopting a hamster, that's a good indication of readiness. *Always contact a licensed veterinarian for the health of your animals. The information above is not meant to replace the advice of a qualified professional and is derived solely from the author's own personal experiences.  Image © Peter Kaminski; Flickr.com Helping your child adopt a rat can be a rewarding experience. Where do we go? Is my child ready for this? Should my child adopt a rat? These are likely some of the questions in your head while considering the process. As you will learn, advance preparation and knowing where to go (and not go) will be extremely helpful when assisting your child with rat adoption.
Why rats make great pets for kids. Rats are sometimes misunderstood. But they can actually make wonderful pets for kids. They are very affectionate and calm animals and will visibly request attention with body language and behavioral habits. A rat will quickly learn its name, come when your child calls, and will have a special bond with its pet parent. Much like hamsters and other animals in the rodent family, a clean cage will be fairly easy to maintain. Because of the mild behavior rats usually have, they are not only great pets overall, but they can make great first pets for kids. Rats are happy to be held by their owners for hours, which lines up with the desire most kids have to hold an animal often. Is your child ready to adopt a rat? Be sure your child has studied all the basics about rat care before ever adopting. Dietary needs, cage requirements, sources of entertainment, and bedding materials are the first things your child should know. In addition, learning the habits of the rat, as well as warning signs can help your child be adequately prepared. Licensed professionals are a great source for learning. Check with your local pet supply venues and shelters to see if they offer pet care classes. Books and articles from trusted sources will also help. If your child is regularly studying and generally enthused about adopting a rat or two, this is a readiness indicator. Where should we go to adopt the rat? Pet stores, breeders, friends, rescue groups, and shelters are the most common ways to adopt a rat. Never bring a wild rat into your home, as they may carry diseases. Domesticated rats are entirely different from those in the wild. Adopting from shelters and rescue groups helps an animal in need and can help cut down on the need for mass breeding. Adopting from shelters also helps ensure your rat is properly vetted and has a medical guarantee. What should my child know about the process? Taking home a new family member is exciting. Depending on how and where you decide to go, the process may consist of holding the rat and bonding, signing adoption papers, and discussing proper care. If the workers do not mention proper care at all, your rat may be coming from a questionable source. The workers should be knowledgeable and interested in making sure your family is the right fit. *Always contact a licensed veterinarian for the health of your animals. The information above is not meant to replace the advice of a qualified professional and is derived solely from the author's own personal experiences. **I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff 
Image by stevendepolo via Flickr.com
When you visit the pet store or animal shelter, rats can look so cute and cuddly - and they are. But, should you really let your child have a pet rat? As a mom who has made this decision before, I know full well the responsibility it takes. There are many factors involved, such as the safety of the animal, the safety of your child, proper rat care, and more. Rats and other small animals are often an impulse buy. But here's what you and your child need to know about owning one - preferably beforehand.
Does your child respect animals? Before ever bringing a pet rat (or any other pet) into the home, you should know how your child feels about animals. Visit animal shelters and residences of friends and family with pets to get a good idea. Let your child interact with animals and see what the reaction is. If you have already brought home the animal without doing that, consider allowing your child to attend animal care classes with the pet. Many large pet stores and animal shelters offer these classes for free or for an affordable rate. Some include them in the adoption fee. You and your child should know how to care for rats. As mentioned above, your child can take animal care classes. But there are other ways to learn about the care of pet rat as well. Books written by trusted sources are a great start. If you have already adopted a rat, your first step should be a visit to the vet. Even if your child's pet rat has come vetted and vaccinated, it is still important to start routine visits. The first visit can help you and your child understand how to properly care for a rat. The examination will also allow your vet to let you know if there's anything you should watch out for. Rats ideally come in pairs. Some rats will do well alone. But they may be happier when they have a companion. This is even true if they have great human companionship. Are you prepared to let your child adopt two rats if it becomes evident that your rat needs company? Can your child handle two rats? One rat is already a good deal of responsibility. Multiply that times two and if your child is willing and able to handle that, a pet rat (or two) may be a good idea. Rats are very social. Rats prefer to have a companion. However, they also enjoy human companionship. If your child is afraid to hold a rat or will not be around enough to give ample attention, adopting one is a bad idea. Rats enjoy being held and played with for long periods of time. They are highly intelligent and become attached to their human companions. When we owned a rat, he spent more time being held than he did in his cage. He immediately climbed right out of the cage into our arms anytime his cage door was opened. If anything was going on, he wanted to be a part of it. If your child is not ready for this kind of interaction, you should not adopt a pet rat. Because of their docile nature, rats can make great pets for kids as young as five. If your child is not afraid to hold rats and knows to wash hands before and after handling them, they may be the perfect choice. Be sure you and your child have also researched and are aware of risks and proper care. After that point, your child is likely ready to begin the search for a great companion or two. *The author is not a licensed animal care specialist. Her advice is based purely on personal experience and research and is not meant to replace the advice of a licensed professional. by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff 
Image by kennethkonika via Flickr.com
Your child is begging for a pet and you just can't say no - or maybe you want to adopt an animal just as bad as she does. Not every pet fits in every home. Everyone should get along with the pet and likewise. You or your kids should also be able to properly care for the pet. How do you decide which pet is right for your kids? Perhaps my advice as a mother of children with pets (who are researching for one or two more) can help you in your search.
Decide on the proper size. Before ever going out to bring a pet into the family, you need to know these limits. Would your kids care for a smaller or larger pet better? If you are renting, what type of pets are allowed? Does the size of the pet affect your monthly rent or mortgage? Will your child want to hold the pet or just pet him? Does your family prefer a caged pet or a larger one that's free to roam the house, like a cat or dog? If you have desire for a larger pet, like a horse, do you have an appropriate amount of room? These are the type of size questions you should consider. Research breeds for compatibility. No matter if you are adopting a dog, cat, hamster, or other animal breed can make a difference. Some breeds are better with children than others. For instance, we have both a dwarf hamster (Buddy) and a Roborovski hamster (Butterscotch). Buddy bites at times. Butterscotch does not, as Robo hamsters have smaller mouths and do not bite humans. I am the primary handler of Buddy. Anyone can handle Butterscotch without worrying about being bitten...if they can catch him that is. He's the fast one. Hamsters need attention and handling. This is just one reason it's important to consider breeds when adopting pets with kids in the house. Set up meetings with pets of interest. Once you know which type of pets you want to adopt, make appointments to meet with specific ones you and kids are interested in getting to know. This helps avoid problems with compatibility once you finally take a pet home. Let the kids play with the animals and see how they react. If there will be more than one animal, all animals and people should meet together. This way you can see how well everyone gets along together. If it's not a good match, then you know that pet (or pets) would be better suited to another family. But if everyone hits it off easily, you may have found the perfect addition/s to your family. Consider the responsibility of your child. How responsible is your child with other aspects of life? Can she take care of an animal properly? Will she? If your kids are not responsible enough to take care of objects, what do you think will happen with an animal? Remember that an animal is very different from a toy. They are living, breathing creatures with feelings and they depend on their owners to care for them. If your child does not care for them, will you? If no one will do this with certainty, instead of deciding which pet is right, you should be telling your child no to having a pet altogether. Weigh all options before the final decision. Consider all of the aspects mentioned above and more before choosing a pet for your child. Size, breed, compatibility, and responsibility are some of the most important factors when choosing a pet. But there are also many more, such as time, cost of care (including vet bills and pet insurance), and dedication. Before ever deciding on a pet, weigh all the pros and cons to make absolute certain that your child and his pet are compatible and that you are giving the pet a good home. *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network When Kids Mistreat Animals by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer  A frequent reader contacted "Ask Lyn" for advice on this common scenario. You hear a pitiful mew and notice your toddler has the cat by her tail - again. Just two hours earlier you scolded him for doing the same thing. Why is your child hurting the cat and what can you do to stop this behavior? My years of experience as a mom and nanny have shown me several answers to this question.
Why did my child hurt the cat to begin with and what does it all mean? It may simply be a misunderstanding on your child's part or it could mean something deeper. In most kids, it simply means a lack of understanding how to behave with an animal. The ASPCA states that some adults who have been violent toward people also have a history of being violent toward animals. Children who have been exposed to violence also may attempt to show violence toward an animal. It is safer for your pets, as well as your child, to correct the behavior as soon as possible. It is important to remember that just because your child does this, it does not necessarily mean it's intentional or that she will be violent with animals or people in the future. He doesn't know any better. Has your child been told why pulling a cat's tail or petting him backward is not a good idea? When you warn your child about these and other ill actions toward the cat, don't just say "No". Explain why it's not a good idea. Your child may see the family pet as a toy and not a living being. Some kids need reasons behind requests. You also need to explain things in terms that make sense to your child. A 3 year old will understand that pulling fur feels the same to a cat that pulling hair does to a human. She hasn't been exposed to animals previously. If your child has never been exposed to animals before, especially cats, that could explain her actions. When a child hurts a cat, it doesn't necessarily mean she is being mean. She just may not have any history to tell her brain what the proper behavior is toward a cat. Ideally, parents should expose children to pets before adopting them. If it's too late for that, limit your child's exposure to the pet until she understands and demonstrates proper cat treatment. Use gentle guidance and redirection. If you want your child to stop hurting your cat, you'll need to take a look at the whole picture. Exposing him to animals is the proactive end of the stick. But if the behavior has already started, you may also need to be reactive. Each time your child pulls the cat's tail, pets him backward, or otherwise treats him unfairly, use gentle redirection. Gently take his hand and use it to pet the cat slowly and gently. Say things like, "This is how we pet the kitty." "The kitty likes it when we do this." "Ooh, feel how soft the kitty's fur is." Be consistent. Whether you choose to use the same methods I found useful or another method, the key in making it work is consistency. In order for the lesson to sink in, you need to act the same way each time your child is around the cat. If you use gentle guidance only sometimes and let it slide the rest of the time, this sends a mixed message to your child. What it says is that she only has to treat the cat nice sometimes, which is not what you want to teach her. If your child cannot treat the cat properly, you may have to separate the two for safety on both counts. *The above is meant for informational purposes only. Always ask your pediatrician and veterinarian for guidance in your specific situation. *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer Many dogs love watching the television. It's noisy and flashes lots of interesting scenes before their eyes. Like humans,' dogs also may like to see what's going on. But is your dog really watching TV with your kids? Is this good for their bond?  According to some experts, dogs cannot make out the images on older televisions. But if you've got a certain kind of HDTV or other newer television, your dog can make out the images very clearly, including recognizing other dogs.
I'm not a scientist, but I can tell you with 100% certainty that our dogs watch TV intently, often with the kids. They have a very clear preference for anything with dogs in it. They also enjoy anything that is very musical. When our dogs watch TV with the kids, this does seem to help their bond. This is because they are often cuddling or sitting in someone's lap. Obviously, snuggling and cuddling are very good for bonding. Therefore, watching TV can be added to the list of things your child can do to bond with your dog. When using television for bonding, remember that, while it's good for bonding, it should be practiced in moderation. Just liek you don't want to expose your kids to large amounts of television, the same is true for your dogs. In addition to bonding during television-watching, your child can also do other activities with the dog. by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer 
Image (c) Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved
That sweet fuzzy face separated from you by glass is pulling at your heartstrings. Your child is also attached. But before adopting, kids need to learn about cat care and how to relate to them. Interacting positively with cats holds great benefits for the kids, as well as the animal. Our family will be adopting a cat soon, but we wouldn't dream of doing so without preparation.
When they hold a cat for the first time, show and explain how. Show your child what to do by picking up the cat up yourself. While doing this explain what you are doing and why. Talk about wrong ways to hold the cat as well. You can illustrate the lesson to your child further by talking about how they would prefer to be held and why it matters. Your child needs to know that cats will get hurt or irritated if they are held a certain way. Many cats love attention when they are held the right way, so a large part of interacting with cats is holding them. Focus on being gentle. This is one of the most important things kids need to know about interacting with cats and other animals. If your child is gentle, cats will respond more positively to their attention. If your kids are younger, you can take their hand and direct them into petting a cat gently. Older kids should need only your verbal direction. Let them know what is and is not gentle. For instance, even if you do it softly, petting a cat backward is not gentle because of the way it feels to a cat. Explain what certain sounds and behaviors mean. Cats will make certain sounds or act a particular way, depending on how they feel. Kids should know that hissing means the cat feels threatened and they should stay away. Growling means the same thing. Purring means keep doing what you're doing. The cat is enjoying it. If a cat runs away or hides, that means the child should leave them be. Rubbing up against a person means a cat likes that person and wants attention. Show your child how to pay attention to a cat's cues and react based on that. For instance, if a cat starts to move around while being held, the child should gently set the cat down. Test them around other people's pets, as well as those in shelters. This is going to be your key indicator of what your child needs to know about cats. It will also help you teach them how to properly interact. Cats will vary by breed, as well as individual personality. Let your kids play with other people's cats, having each person explain what their cat likes and dislikes. It's also a good idea to do this at an animal shelter or rescue. This way, you give a needy cat attention and you also help teach your child. Then, if your child bonds with the cat, you can see about adopting. Allow them consistent exposure and practice. In order to fully illustrate how to interact with cats, allow your child practice as often as possible. If no one you know owns any cats, animal shelters and rescues are the perfect opportunity for this. Just make sure to only give attention to the cats who are open to it. My kids have become experts at getting even the most timid cats to open up because of consistently giving cats attention at our local animal rescue and shelter. This, along with other things, shows me they are ready to adopt and care for a cat responsibly. *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network  by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer
If your kids are like mine, their pets are an important part of the family. In fact, I think of the pets as my furry grandbabies. We like to take care of the pets in the most natural ways possible. So we are always coming up with new ways to make them feel like they are in their natural environment. Because of this, our rescued hamsters recently got houses made of coconut shells in their cages. This activity is best done with older kids who have experience using sharp tools. But kids of all ages can observe. Why Use a Coconut Shell? Hamsters love crawling under and inside coconut shells. An added benefit is that the hard shell gives them something to sharpen their teeth on. Prior to using coconut shells,our hamsters were using the edible store-bought hideaways. We used the design that was shaped like a hut and even had hay on top. They enjoyed those as well. But you could tell they were excited when the coconut shells wee placed in their cages. Unlike with the edible hideaways, that excitement has not worn off. Store-bought hamster houses and hide-aways may look more appealing to a human's eye. But as we discovered with our hamsters, they prefer the natural coconut shells by a long-shot. Gathering supplies is simple. All you need is a coconut, a large rock, and a small hand saw. You'll need to crack the coconut open in a paved area. If you cannot find a large rock, a hammer will work just as well. Depending on the age of your kids, the adults may need to handle the tools. This is a fun activity. But safety should always come first. If you have another preferred method of opening coconuts, your tool list may be slightly different. Even if the kids cannot physically help, be sure they are still involved in the entire process. Explain to them each thing you are doing and why. Cracking open a coconut is easy..if you know what you are doing. There are other ways to open a coconut. But this one is more fun when kids are around to observe. If your kids are old enough and skilled enough, they should help. Place the coconut on the pavement. Now take the rock and throw it hard right into the middle of the coconut. If you are using the hammer, bang it directly in the middle. You may have to rotate the coconut a few times with both methods. The shell will not come out perfectly even. But that's what you want. The ridges are where the hamster can crawl under. Once the coconut is halved, take out all the meat. The kids will likely enjoy eating it with you. Building the hamster house is a fun parent and child moment. Be sure there is absolutely no more coconut meat left in the shell. We also like to rinse and air dry ours thoroughly. Each hamster will only use half of a shell. If you only have one hamster, you can save the other half for a later date or give your hamster two places to hide. If your hamster is large in size, you can line the two shell halves up to create a bigger hideaway. If the shells have broken in a convenient way, you may not need to do anything. But otherwise, use a small handsaw to cut an opening in the side for the hamster to crawl under. Rinse and dry the shell again to clear any leftover cutting debris. Then, place in the hamster's cage and watch the excitement. *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network  Image (c) Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer You notice your child's hamster is a little dirty. Should you give your child's hamster a bath? Is it safe? Does the hamster really need a bath or is there something else you should do instead? As a pet grandparent to a few rescued hamsters, I would never recommend bathing a hamster in water for several reasons. Hamsters naturally bathe themselves in sand. When in their natural wild habitat, hamsters roll around in sand for cleansing purposes. They finish it off by grooming themselves. Many pet supply stores have Chinchilla sand and ceramic sand dishes you can provide to your hamster for this purpose. Never use the scented varieties or those made with powder. Only the unscented sand is safe for your hamster. The other products may irritate your hamster's respiratory system. Bathing a hamster can remove essential oils. Hamsters naturally produce an oil that is essential to protect their skin and fur. Bathing your child's hamster will remove these oils, causing the hamster's skin to become very dry and irritated. This will be extremely uncomfortable for the hamster and will leave his skin very vulnerable. If the purpose of washing the hamster is to produce a shiny coat, it is unnecessary. The natural essential oils a hamster produces will provide shine without the act of bathing.
Wet baths are not recommend unless absolutely necessary. Because wet baths can cause chills, they are only to be used in extreme circumstances, such as your hamster getting covered in oil. Bathing your hamster can cause illness and even death. Hamsters get cold very quickly because of their small frame. Their skin is also irritated easily. Also, bathing products get absorbed into the hamster's fur and skin. When the hamster grooms later, these products will be ingested, which can cause poisoning. Even many of the products marketed for this purpose are not safe. What if my child's hamster is dirty? Hamsters being properly cared for are not likely to get dirty enough to require bathing. Provided your hamster does escape and get into something messy, a bath may be warranted. Generally, you would use special pet wipes that are safe for use on hamsters or a damp cloth to spot clean the area. If your child's hamster is getting dirty often, check to see that the bedding is being changed properly and as often as needed. If your child's hamster smells, take the hamster to a vet to make sure there is not cause for concern. Foul odors can be a sign of illness. When in doubt, call the vet. If something happens to the hamster that may require an emergency bath, call a 24-hour emergency vet for proper instructions. Only a licensed professional should ever bathe a hamster in water without proper advice and only a licensed professional should advise someone on how to bathe a hamster this way. In all other instances, wiping down the hamster with the proper wipes or a warm moist cloth should be enough. *Always contact a licensed veterinarian for the health of your animals. The information above is not meant to replace the advice of a qualified professional and is derived solely from the author's own personal experiences. More Hamster Care Resources: Hamsters; Dumb Friends League Small Mammals; American Humane Small Angels Rescue Hamster Care Packet; Small Angels Rescue, Inc *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network Prior Dog Exposure Educates Kids Before Dog Adoption - Teaching Kids Proper Dog Care and Treatment9/9/2014  by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer Are you thinking about getting your kids a dog? Don't let that cute doggy face lure you in before your kids even know what to do. My kids have adopted several small animals before, most of them with special needs. However, hamsters and dogs are entirely different. My method for preparing the kids for dog adoption includes plenty of exposure to dogs. Based on our experiences, I firmly believe that prior dog exposure educates kids before dog adoption. Utilize time with dogs belonging to family and friends. My sister has three cute Dachsunds (aka 'weiner dogs'). When she first started bringing them over, two of my kids were terrified of them. But she kept at it and now all of the kids adore the dogs and get excited each time they come over. The kids have also spent quality time with other dogs belonging to family and friends. I feel this opens them up to a wide range of experiences with dogs, both large and small. Give kids a chance to take over feeding time. If you have a family member or friend who won't mind the kids taking over one or more scheduled feedings, it can be a big help. My sister lets the kids give her dogs water and special treats when they come over. This is only a good idea with dogs who are not protective over their food. Feeding the dogs helps to prepare the kids for becoming a responsible pet parent. It teaches them what it's like and gives you and your kids an idea of whether they can handle it or not.
Let the kids give basic commands. Part of being a responsible pet parent involves teaching dogs commands. These commands are important for strengthening the bond between your child and the dog. They are also vital in various situations. My sister has already taught her dogs the basic commands. However, she allows my kids to command them and reward her dogs with treats when they comply. This helps to educate them on the kind of commands they should be teaching their future dog. My seven year old has taught her hamster a trick and I believe the idea came in part from giving commands to my sister's dogs. Spend quality time with shelter dogs. One of our favorite things to do is visit the animals housed by one of the local shelters. The kids and I go interact with the dogs and cats every week, many times more than once each week. Each dog has their own personality. Because of this, I feel it is teaching the kids to adapt to various scenarios they may encounter with their own dog. Some dogs will come up to us right away. Yet others may shy away in the corner until they feel comfortable. We also make toys for the shelter dogs. We sell some of the toys to earn money for the shelter pets and we donate some of the toys as well. A well-rounded experience with dogs teaches kids what isn't in books. Sure, a book may touch on some of the things kids will experience as a dog parent. In fact, the kids should be studying up as well. But just reading the text is not enough. In order to be fully prepared and well-educated on dog care, one-on-one interaction is an absolute must. What are you doing to prepare your kids for adopting a furry family member? *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network  by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer Thinking of getting a dog? Just want your kids to know how to interact with them? Either way, it's an important lesson for all kids to learn. Teaching kids to interact with dogs takes time and patience but is well worth the effort. Before ever adopting a dog or having your kids around one for an extended period of time, they need to know what to do. Dog safety lessons come first. Before your kids start interacting with dogs, they need to learn some important safety rules. While dogs can be great for kids, they are still animals and animals are unpredictable. Be sure your kids know what to do in various scenarios that may come up when interacting with dogs. Animal behavioral and care classes can often be taken at local animal shelters, rescues, and even some major pet store chains. Proper care is important. But so is injury and accident prevention. Teach based on the reaction kids have to dogs and vice versa. How do your kids react to dogs? Do they run away? Are they gentle or rough? How do dogs act around your kids? Are they scared or in attack mode or are they gentle and loving. Reactions from both ends can tell you a great deal about what lessons your kids need to learn about dog interaction. It's not always a kid's fault when an animal feels threatened and vice versa. But the actions of both your kids and the dogs you expose them to can get you thinking about various positive actions you can teach to both for the best result. Even if all interactions are positive, there are still lessons to teach, such as certain things your kids can do to get dogs do tricks, follow commands, and be loyal.
Teach kids proper interaction firsthand. There is no better way for your kids to learn how to interact with dogs than actually doing it. If you are just talking to your kids and reading things from manuals, there is no one-on-one experience for them to better understand the lesson. If you can get both a professional dog trainer and dog behaviorist to work with your kids and a potential adoptive dog, that's even better. These experts can work together with kids and their dog to help them learn how to bond with each other and develop a positive relationship from the start. The experience can also help kids in knowing how to deal with other dogs as well. Expose kids to dogs regularly. If a child is never around dogs, it is going to be exceedingly difficult to retain the knowledge. Once you begin teaching kids about proper interaction, they need to be around dogs as often as possible. The more exposure, the better for instilling the lesson and keeping it. If you have no dogs in your family, find friends with dogs or visit the local shelter. If your kids are old enough, they may even be able to volunteer to spend time with the animals, which would give them even more experience. Talk to the experts. Vets and pediatricians will also have important knowledge and insight about the way kids should interact with dogs. Pediatricians are likely to have safety in mind for your child. Veterinarians are likely to have pet safety and care in mind. Talking with both experts will give your child a well-rounded lesson on dog interaction. By listening to the experts talk to your kids, you may also learn a thing or two. *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network  by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer "Please, Mommy. Pleeeeaaaase! He's soooo cuuute!!" If your kids are begging you to get a pet, think first before making that purchase. Many pets are bought on an impulse, which is sometimes not a good thing. Before you bring an animal into your home, be sure you teach your kids how to care for pets. It may seem simple in retrospect. But caring for an animal is a big responsibility that isn't for everyone. Educate your kids first. Many pet supply stores and animal shelters have classes that kids can take to learn all about proper animal care. There are also plenty of books and trusted veterinary websites to learn more from. There is no excuse for not learning how to take care of a specific animal before making that purchase or adoption. Remember that any potential pet is a living, breathing being that deserves to be part of a loving, caring family. Our family's first hamster taught a valuable lesson about why parents need to educate kids before adopting a pet. Read, absorb, and discuss all the knowledge you and the kids can before bringing a new pet home. Make your home pet-friendly. Think about what type of animal your family will be bringing home. Are there hidden dangers in your home that could be hazardous to your pet? Do you have other pets? How will they react to a new family member? Will your cat try to attack a hamster or a dog? If so, do not adopt those animals. Opt for pets that your existing animal family members will get along with or will be isolated from. Cats, dogs, birds, and other animals that may not be in cages need to be kept away from harmful items. Store chemicals in a locked cabinet, be sure there are no loose nails or chords, and check for other potential hazards. Pet-proofing can be much like baby-proofing. Let the kids help you with this so that they know and understand that pet care is serious business. Soothe your pet's transition into the new home. When you bring your newly adopted animal into the home, he might be a little frightened or apprehensive. Give him time to adjust to his new settings. While your kids may want to play with your new pet right away, this may not be what the animal has in mind. A dog or cat may want to sniff out the place and even find a hiding spot for a little while before opening up. A hamster may want to hide under his bedding or inside a hamster house for a day or so. Give your pet some time to get used to the new surroundings and to you and the kids. Be sure the kids know how important this step is for your pet. Show kids how to be gentle. This is one of the most important lessons kids need to learn with animals. Start teaching kids about this before you ever bring home a pet for the first time. A good way to do this is to bring the kids to homes of relatives with animals. You can even visit animals shelters regularly. Some will allow you and the kids to interact with the animals directly. This can help develop a relationship with a potential pet while also teaching the kids to be gentle with animals. If your children cannot be gentle with animals and do not have a visible care and compassion for them, pets are not a good idea. Teach them about both the ups and the downs. Kids should know the joys of having pets, as well as the possible heartache. Having pets can be very rewarding and fun. Kids will enjoy playing with and observing pets. But they should also know that their pet will probably die before them. Small animals, like hamsters, live a very short life. Also, there is no guarantee that even a healthy animal will live its full life expectancy because anything can happen. Teaching kids about the possibility of their pet dying before it happens can help soften the blow when it does. You don't have to be overly graphic. But they should definitely know about both life and death when dealing with animals. Pets are a fun and rewarding experience for both parents and kids. But it is vital to the health of your kids and pets to teach the children important pet care habits prior to adopting one. *I originally published this as a Yahoo Shine Parenting Guru  I recently wrote an article about how parents can inspire children to be kind to animals. Teaching kids to love animals and be kind and gentle with them is important. It helps kids grow up to be better and more compassionate people. Teaching animal kindness can be done in many ways, but they all begin with one important element - exposure. In order for your kids to become friendly with animals, they must first be exposed to animals. From visiting a farm to adopting a pet of your own, volunteering with an animal advocacy group to spending time at a nature preserve, you must find ways for your kids to see animals up close and get to know them better. As a wildlife biologist, I spent much time introducing school-age children to the animals in the world around them. As a parent, I have done the same with my own kids. My children love animals, and are very kind and loving to the creatures they meet. If your kids have not spent much time around animals, it's not too late to make a change. Even if you can't have pets of your own, you can still expose your kids to animal life in many ways. Check out my article about teaching children to be kind to animals for even more ideas your family can use to raise animal-friendly kids. About the AuthorTavia Fuller Armstrong is an award-winning writer for Yahoo! Contributor Network. As a wildlife biologist and a pet owner, she has cared for a wide variety of animals. As a mother of three and an educator, she has taught many children to appreciate the natural world all around them.
 You might think that your children know that hitting animals is not acceptable, but do they really know? For adults, we look at it as common sense, children do not. We always want to reinforce safe behaviors for our pets and our children, here is how you can ensure that your children know not to hit animals. It hurts, don’t do it! Explain to your children that pets, just like humans, experience pain in the same way. Ask them how they would feel if somebody hit them, let them know that pets feel the same way. Ensure your children understand, that not only does a pet feel the pain, they can respond by inflicting pain. Monitor Your Children: Many parents feel that they monitor their kids very well will of the presence of animals. However, that may not be the case. Count how many times you turn your back while your children are in the room with their pet dog. Every time you turn your back, you’re not monitoring your child with the dog. Unless you can be in the room and pay attention to every move your child makes, keep your dog in a secure area. This is for the safety of the child and your dog. Do this until your child understands that dogs have feelings too.
Teach your child which parts of the dog not to touch. If your dog these iffy about having his tail or ears touched, teacher child that he does not like that. Many dogs do not like children near their tail, or out of direct eyesight. They do this for their safety. Teach your children the zones that your dog does not like being pulled at or even petted. Following the simple rules will ensure that your child and your dog have a safe experience with one another.
By Charlene Little, Contributing Writer 
If your child has ADHD, and is truly the most hyper child you have ever seen, your dog can help you with that. Dogs are hyper and inattentive too, and can actually help you child exert energy.
Children with ADHD and dogs go hand in hand. They both need to exert energy in order compose themselves and calm themselves in a positive way. Here are some great ways you calm your child and your pup. Fetch: Games like fetch can help your child and your dog bond, as well as help them exert energy. Frisbee: Frisbee is a great way for your child to focus on hand eye coordination while running about and playing with their dog. It is great exercise for both of them.
Walks: Taking both your child and your dog for a walk can help them fulfill the urge to move, and help you with a great cardio work out to go with it.
Dog Parks: Dog parks are a great way for your dog and your child to make new friends. There is plenty of room to run and romp while you sit back on a bench and relax. Your dog can meet other pups, your child can meet new children, and you can finally get the rest you deserve. To learn more about how your dog can help your child with their ADHD, purchase the book above. It is full of useful information that can benefit your child and your pup!
About the Author
Charlene Little is the mother of three wonderful boys and a volunteer foster mom for her local animal shelter. She enjoys working with various breeds of dogs and cats in learning social behavior, training, and how to be the successful member of a fur-ever family. She enjoys studying animals' behavior and finding solutions to behavior problems that the everyday person can handle. She covers topics from various forms of aggression and small problem behaviors. Every problem behavior has a solution, and the solution is never to give up on your pet! Love, kindness, and small adjustments could be just what you need. By Charlene Little, Contributing Writer  When my niece was small, she did not really care to talk to people. A later diagnosis would prove that she had autism, but we did not know it at the time. Her speech was suffering, and her focus was too. She spoke was able to speak very few words, and the ones that she could speak were not clear. We were at a loss as to how to get her to talk, until her doctor recommended that we get her a pet. He said that it didn’t matter what type of pet we got, just a pet in general would work. After debating hamsters, rats, cats, or dogs, we settled on getting her a dog. We were careful about the type of pet we chose. After all, we would be doing most of the training and care of the pet, so it would have to suit everyone. We settled on a shelter dog. He was only a few months old, but you would not believe the difference he made in her life. After a short period of time, she began to spend a lot of time with her dog. She began to talk to him, in her limited ability. She would take him outside and walk around the yard, teaching him everything she knew about the trees and the grass. She would lay and stare up at the sky and tell him about the clouds and the wind and the rain. Just seeing them together brought tears of joy to my eyes. A little girl, who had never really connected with anyone or anything, finally had someone who would sit and listen without judging her. Over time of talking to her dog, she was able to say more words than she ever had before. We were moved by the amount that her speech had improved. Over the next few years, her vocabulary had expanded dramatically. We were able to have conversations with her, and she was able to provide us with answers. We were amazed at how great a pet was for her speech, especially since the dog was not able to initiate conversation. Just simply having someone who was there to listen no matter what she said helped so much. A pet is never judgmental, and will comfort you when you are upset. Many children with disabilities need this more than anything in the world. A pet is also a protector, someone who will keep them safe and pull them from danger. As you know, children with disabilities like autism, tend to wonder off. Last year, my niece tried to wonder off. We had only turned our heads for a few seconds. Her dog barked like crazy and grabbed her by the back of the pants. He dragged her back into the yard. We praised him and spoiled him rotten after that. We live only a half of a block from a large creek, and that was the direction she was going. If you decide to get your child a pet to help them through their disability, please adopt a shelter pet. Shelter pets need your child, just as much as your child needs them. About the Author
Charlene Little is the mother of three wonderful boys and a volunteer foster mom for her local animal shelter. She enjoys working with various breeds of dogs and cats in learning social behavior, training, and how to be the successful member of a fur-ever family. She enjoys studying animals' behavior and finding solutions to behavior problems that the everyday person can handle. She covers topics from various forms of aggression and small problem behaviors. Every problem behavior has a solution, and the solution is never to give up on your pet! Love, kindness, and small adjustments could be just what you need. By Charlene Little, Contributing Writer
It is never too early to teach your children to respect animals. From the time they are able to move their hands toward a desired location, you can begin. Teaching your children to be easy with animals and to not pull their hair, tails, and ears is very important. Pets deserve respect, and do not deserve pain. Setting a positive example for your children, you can teach them how to properly touch your pets and help them build compassion. When your child is only a few months old you can begin the journey of teaching them a positive relationship with pets. Gently rubbing your pet's head and telling them to "be easy with the puppy" is the first step. Your child will see how you treat the animal, and will see the positive interaction. I have already began this journey with my four-month old son. Everyday I sit with him on my lap, and one of our pets next to me. I show him the way he should pet the kitty. Even though he is only four months old, he is able to gently touch the kitty instead of hit him like most babies do. Starting the journey of interacting with pets early will prevent having to go back to stop negative behaviors. It will also build trust between your child and your pet early on. Remember to never leave a pet alone with a child who does not know how to positively interact with a pet ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
About the Author Charlene Little is the mother of three wonderful boys and a volunteer foster mom for her local animal shelter. She enjoys working with various breeds of dogs and cats in learning social behavior, training, and how to be the successful member of a fur-ever family. She enjoys studying animals' behavior and finding solutions to behavior problems that the everyday person can handle. She covers topics from various forms of aggression and small problem behaviors. Every problem behavior has a solution, and the solution is never to give up on your pet! Love, kindness, and small adjustments could be just what you need. by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer Do you have a child who is struggling with reading? If you also have a family dog, you may be in luck. Some kids don't like to do the required practice it takes to properly learn how to read. But the family dog can help your struggling reader learn more quickly. How? By just sitting there.  (c) Lyn Lomasi That's right. All you need to do is ask your child to read your dog some stories. Pick a quiet space Obviously the dog is not going to be attentive if there is too much going on. Neither is your child. Choose a spot for the reading where there won't be interruptions or loud noises going on. Make it a routine Have a specific time of day each day that your dog needs to hear his stories. Let your child know what that time is. A good example would be the time the dog normally takes a nap. That way, everyone will be relaxed. Keep it fun Don't worry about whether your child is pronouncing everything correctly or not. Just let her read to the dog and have fun. Save the lessons for lesson and study time. This time is intended to encourage, inspire, and delight your child. About the Author Lyn Lomasi's Founder & Community Manager of Write W.A.V.E. Media, which spotlights writers for existing work, as well as encourages expression while earning. Along with her amazing business & life partner, Richard Rowell, Lyn manages a freelance writer team. She’s your content superhero to the rescue! Lyn's been writing web content for years & rescuing civilians from boring text since the age of three. SEO, custom content, web design, & other content nightmares are her dream come true! Lyn formerly acted as Community Manager & Advocate at Yahoo! Contributor Network, where she assisted writers with community, editing, technical, & other issues. Her work’s featured all over the web. From parenting, energy usage, pets, homelessness, to reducing waste & more, Lyn’s committed to saving the Earth as a whole. For the self-made momtrepreneur, sustainability is a way of life and a labor of love. She’s raising her kids and pets in Colorado. Facebook: Lyn Lomasi Twitter: @LynLomasi |
Staff Authors
Lyn Lomasi & Richard Rowell are life & business partners. Owners of the Write W.A.V.E. Media network, they are your content superheroes to the rescue! Running their network, tackling deadlines single handedly, and coaching fellow writers & entrepreneurs to be thought leaders is their top priority. While rescuing civilians from boring content and marketing, they also conquer the world, living the RV life with their awesomely crazy family and telling The Nova Skye Story. They also strive to one day cuddle with lions and giraffes. Until then, they’ll settle for furry rescue kitties and doggies.
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