Pet Stress and Pet Behavior Problems

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!

With her toes in the sand and fur blowing in the breeze, California chihuahua Sophie celebrates her title as our $50 Picture Perfect Pet Photo June Contest Winner. All she had to do was pose on her favorite place in the world–the beach–to quickly become the Petstress favorite this month.

Sophie loves the beaches of San Francisco and is fortunate to take strolls there with her owner and best friend, Sean. She also can fetch sticks for hours and enjoys playing with other dogs. To quote Sean, “She has the life any dog would dream of.”

Sophie has yet another cause for celebration; she just turned one year old on Thursday, July 15th, 2010! Her birthday was shared with her sister, who was born in her litter, and her older brother, who was born in the previous litter, Sean says. Having the family together is always a great way to celebrate.

With the prize money she has earned for being such a photogenic beach bum, Sophie would like to buy a traveling bag so she can voyage with Sean to explore the rest of the world’s beaches.

Would you like to see your pet win a Picture Perfect Pet Photo Contest title? Enter today!

We were able to catch up with Debbie, Gunther’s owner, and find out more about this Mini Schnauzer. Here’s what she wrote us:

“Gunther came into our lives as a birthday present on a beautiful Sunday morning in December 2008.  Ted Smith of TLC Schnauzers, Cross Plains, Tennessee called in late November to say that he was coming to Florida to deliver some Miniature Schnauzers to new homes and he had one more left.  Were we interested?

“We had been talking about getting another Schnauzer from Ted to keep Gretchen, our beautiful black Schnauzer, some company during the day but before we had made a decision, Ted called us!  Gretchen was 9 months old at the time and with the economy beginning to tighten, I was not sure if the timing was right but after the 3rd call from Ted, we knew that we were the ones meant to take the little Schnauzer without a home.

Gretchen

“Our lives changed the day Ted came to our door with our new Schnauzer!  I looked into the pet carrier and fell in love with our new puppy at first glance!  Gretchen was with us and she took over as soon as Gunther walked out of the carrier.  Gunther not only had a new playmate but a new mother!

Gunther and Gretchen in a great pose

“Gunther’s favorite activities are playing with Gretchen and following me around the house with every step I make, never giving me that Schnauzer look, no matter how many times I go up and down the stairs in our townhome.  Gunther also loves to race Gretchen to the 3rd floor, although he does not always win!

“Gunther makes us smile on a daily basis with his funny antics.  Sometimes it is as simple as the way he sits and looks at us as he did in the winning photo.  He is extremely smart and he and Gretchen are like two little kids as they each try to get us to pay more attention to one over the other!  The bottom line is that they both give us that infamous “unconditional love” that only pets can give their owners.”

Would you like to see your pet in the PetStress Picture Perfect Contest? Take a couple minutes to submit a photo>>