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Brennan (a dog) and Lucky (a cat) received the most votes. You can see their pictures below and on our Auston Grove Pets Gallery.
We wish to thank all of our REALLY cute contestants for participating and making a Auston Grove a more beautiful place to live.
Brennan's and Lucky's owners will each receive a $25 Pet Smart gift certificate so they can spoil their pets.
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We had to modify our contest a little bit from the original "Cutest and Ugliest" pet contest because all we received were cute pet submissions. So now, we will give away two $25 Pet Smart gift certificates to the top 2 vote getters.
But we need your help. Please vote by visiting the Pet Gallery page and using the voting form to choose your pick as the cutest pet at Auston Grove.
Click on images below to enlarge and read caption.
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Your pet may not be able to recite Shakespeare’s sonnets or sing the Star-Spangled Banner, but, believe it or not, your furry, four-legged friend can talk. If you pay close attention, your dog or cat can communicate with you when something is wrong with his health.
Check out this list of common pet health care issues, and learn how to identify when your pet is trying to tell you that something’s wrong.
Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is one of the most common health care problems for dogs and cats. If you neglect brushing your pet’s teeth regularly, bacteria living in the mouth can enter the bloodstream through decaying, infected teeth and gums. The harmful bacteria can cause swelling and bladder infections. Rotten teeth also make it painful for your pet to chew her food and get proper nutrition.
Dental hygiene problems are common, but can be easily avoided with regular brushing and veterinary care. In between vet visits, watch out for the signs of tooth decay. Notice whether:
These signs may let you know that your pet needs veterinary dental care.
Obesity
Obesity is another of the most common pet health problems. You may be tempted to laugh off Fido’s “big-boned” heft, but obesity can actually cause a number of pet health problems including skin inflammation, heart disease, and diabetes, among others.
Your pet can tell you that he is overweight in a number of ways. If you see a large tummy from his profile view, can’t feel his ribs, or notice that he is often short of breath, it is probably time to consult veterinary care about a diet plan for your pet. The ideal size of a pet varies by breed, so rely on your vet’s help to determine the proper weight range for your particular pet.
Skin Problems
Skin problems are another of the most common health issues that veterinarians treat. Your pet can tell you that his skin is bothering him if he licks, chews, or scratches a certain spot excessively. Look for skin patches that are red and irritated or have lost fur — these are possible indications that your pet has skin problems, perhaps caused by allergies, bacterial infections, or bug bites. Raw areas on the skin may also indicate an internal problem, such as a break or sprain, as dogs will lick a painful area in an attempt to heal themselves.
Fleas
Fleas are a specific type of pet skin problem that you can also easily identify. More than just a nuisance for you and your family, the presence of fleas can lead to serious health care problems like anemia in pets.
Your pet will tell you if he’s got fleas: he’ll scratch! Also watch for the usual signs of skin problems and check his belly regularly for small, black spots known as “flea dirt.” You may even be able to see fleas crawling on his skin — especially around his hindquarters or neck.
Your Pet’s Demeanor
A pet’s health problems will often manifest as pesky behavior issues that might include destructive chewing, excessive barking, or urinating indoors. Fido isn’t simply being a bad dog when he does these things repeatedly; these behavior problems might be his way of telling you that there’s something wrong with him physically. When behavior problems persist, a vet visit may be a good idea to determine whether there’s a health issue behind the bad behavior.
Also keep in mind that a pet may “act out” when her routine is altered or she gets over-excited. As you live with a pet, you will come to recognize the differences in the clues that your pet’s behavior tell you.
How to Listen to Your Pet
The key to identifying pet health care issues is to pay close attention to your pets. Pay special attention to each animal every day, and watch for any sudden changes in a pet’s behavior. Be open to listening to what your pet has to tell you about his health; he’ll also be able to communicate to you when he feels great!
1. STEP 1 is to submit a photo of your pet. Please visit the Auston Grove Pets Gallery page and complete the form top submit your pet's picture and info. DEADLINE: 1 May 11.
2. STEP 2 is to vote. Once we collect the photos in our gallery, we will change the form on the Pet's Gallery page to a voting form so the entire community can choose the cutest and ugliest pets in Auston Grove.
3. Who can enter? Any approved pet. Dogs, cats, or approved exotic pets.
Oftentimes, our furry friends make the best roommates. But renting with pets can be challenging. Some apartments don’t allow pets, and pet deposits can be expensive.
Ask the right questions before you move, however, and you can be sure to find a pet-friendly apartment.
Are pets allowed?
Question one in your pet-friendly research is probably the most important: Does your prospective apartment community allow pets?
If so, are there restrictions on species, size or breeds? Before you fill out an application for an apartment, be honest with your future landlord or apartment manager and tell them about your pet. Also, ask about the amount and the conditions of the pet deposit.
Is this a pet-friendly rental?
An environment that welcomes pets in apartments is not only tolerant of them, but also offers structural aspects that work for four-legged residents. Stairs, for instance, can be hard for some dogs to climb, especially small or older ones; a ground-floor unit might be preferable. Hardwood floors look great and make clean-up easier, but carpet is softer on dog and cat paws and dampens the sound if you have downstairs neighbors.
Some apartment communities offer a dog-walking area and clean-up stations, so tour the facilities to check for yourself. Find out if there are dog parks nearby or if there is a doggy daycare in the area in case your dog needs some extra attention during the day. Also, get a feel from your landlord for the number of pets in the apartment community and for other residents’ tolerance level when it comes to pets.
Renting with pets needn’t be fraught with stress and secrecy. Get the right details during your apartment search for a pet-friendly rental to share with your furry, feathered or scaled companion. If you are up front with your apartment manager and ask the right questions, you will have a better chance of finding a new apartment in which both you and your pet can be happy.
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