Pet Stress and Pet Behavior Problems

The Winning Photo

We were lucky enough to catch up with Laura, Bella’s owner to find out more about this big-eyed beauty.

Laura wrote us: “Bella was picked out from a litter of two chihuahuas 4-1/2 years ago. It was the last litter that this mother chihuahua was ever going to have, and the owner offered a buy-one-get-one free sale, so we actually ended up with her sister, Bibi, as well. While we don’t officially know who is older, Bella is certainly the more mature of the duo.

“At this point in her life, Bella prefers to spend most of her time keeping a safe distance from her younger puppy brother, Oliver the dachshund, who is constantly in trouble. She loves to romp with her sister, however, who is more her own size. They all love to snuggle together in their bed and, even better, by the fireplace on a cold day. She prefers eating over playing, but she is a fearless defender of the household. She has even been known to chase a neighbor’s black lab out of the driveway and down the street…luckily this was before the lab realized that Bella was only about 5 inches tall.

“Since there is some dispute as to whether chihuahuas were from Mexico or originally from the Mediterranean (there is a chihuahua in a portrait dating back to before the conquests of South and Central America), we chose the name Bella because it means “beautiful” in Italian, and that she is. We look forward to buying Bella lots of her favorite snacks and mini doggie bones with the $50 gift card because even though she would look great in a new doggie sweater, we don’t really like to dress our pets. THANK YOU, PETSTRESS.COM!!!”

When we get an entry like this one for our Photo Contest, of a pet that is not a dog, cat or bird, we wish that we could include it in the contest. Unfortunately since our website provides resources only for cat, dog and bird owners, we didn’t include other pets in the contest. However, I am posting this hedgehog because I can’t resist the cuteness.

The entry reminds me of a previous post “We Love Iguanas, Really” that also includes some really cool non-traditional pets.

With or without the fun collar, the August winner is one handsome cat.

Deuce turned 6 months old yesterday, and by the look of things in the photos that his owner Sarah sent, these six months have been filled with good times. Here’s Deuce trying to camouflage himself into a fuzzy blanket when he was about 10 weeks old:

Sarah told us that “Deuce’s favorite activity is sleeping and being a trouble maker. He loves to take things and hide them under rugs around the house. He also loves to knock things off of the counters while looking at us when he does it! He also loves to sit in front of the big bay window and watch the birds and bee’s fly by! Even sometimes you will catch him watching television and if there is a bird on, he jumps at the television trying to catch it!”

Its not surprising that Deuce was exploring the dishwasher. Sarah wrote that “Deuce has surprised me by how he can jump so high & how he likes water. If there is room for him he will jump up anywhere. He loves to jump up on the bathroom counter when the water is running. Yes he loves water – he even tries to sneak in the shower when its running!”

Deuce and Sarah

Deuce and his "Dad"

The winning prize money will go to treats, a new collar, and maybe another kitten from the shelter! Soon Deuce might have a partner in crime.

Thanks for your participation, Sarah. And thanks to all of Deuce’s supporters who made him a winner. If you have a fun picture of your pet you can enter it in the September Picture Perfect Pet Photo Contest.

Bridget's Winning Photo

Bridget and Gigi

August’s winner, Bridget, came from a yorkshire terrier breeder in Pennsylvania in May of 2000 . One of her skills is stand on her hind legs for a treat, so its great that her owner caught it  on film – It was a winning image.

Bridget loves to play ball and soccer, take baths, walks and play with her sister Gigi.

Thanks for your participation, Bridget.! If you have a dog, car or bird that you’d like to enter in the contest, click here.

Although “Race Car” Ralph may not stand a chance racing against the competitive drivers in the Indy 500, this 12-year-old Indianapolis pug sure can outpace the Petstress competition! In July, Ralph blew by all the other participants to the finish line to gain the title of the $50 Petstress Picture Perfect Pet Photo Contest Winner. The secret to his success? A halloween costume he wore to this year’s Indy 500 and a big grin.

“We’ve had Ralphie since he was 7 weeks old and he was so small, he could fit in the palm of your hand!” Ralph’s owner Jana says. “However, he was one of the last left in the litter because he was the biggest. Everyone who meets Ralph for the first time say he’s the biggest pug they’ve ever seen and some think he looks like a pot-bellied pig. I just say he’s big-boned!”

This big-boned speedster enjoys going to the lake house where he still likes to ride on the wave runners and pontoon boat. Ralph turned 12 on August 1st 2010 and in regards to Ralph’s speed, Jana says, “He has begun to slow down now in his later years and enjoys his long afternoon naps, the homemade treats I make him, and of course mealtime!” Ralph also enjoys sporting his many costumes, shown here.

With the $50 prize, Jana plans to make a donation to the local animal shelter and even take Ralph on a shopping spree at the local pet store where he loves to visit the treat bar! “His favorites are the sandwich cremes and carob chip cookies,” Jana says. “And I might even find him this year’s Halloween outfit!”

If you have a photo of your pet dressed up in costumes like Ralph, or just have a snapshot of them sitting pretty, enter the Petstress Picture Perfect Pet Photo Contest today for your pet’s chance to become our next big winner!