The Pet Edge Blog asks "Is there any human health benefits in owning a pet?"

The pet edge blog family would love to here your answers concerning the benefits of owning a pet. The article below will give you some great insights on the value of our pets and the incredible role they play in our lives.

As a nation of pet lovers, we share our homes with 7.5 million cats and 6.1 million dogs. Half of all UK households own a pet and it will come as no surprise to animal lovers that research shows that pets are good for our health. Scientific research testifies to this 'pet power' and budgies, gerbils, rabbits, cats, dogs and fish all have their part to play. Contact with animals can bring real physiological and psychological benefits: reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, aiding recovery and boosting chances of survival after a life-threatening illness.

Pets can play an important role in people's lives and they are often referred to as 'one of the family'. As well as providing a constant source of enjoyment, friendship and fun, many pets thrive in a family and household environment.

What's more, an increasing wealth of research is proving that pet ownership has considerable health benefits. One of the more obvious benefits is that of exercise - dog walking or playing with a cat is a great way for people to burn a few more calories. In addition, contact with animals can bring real physiological and psychological benefits: reducing stress, helps preventing illness and allergies, lowering blood pressure and aiding recovery.

The article brings to light some of the important benefits to owning a pet. The pet edge blog family would love for you to comment on the story or send us some email regarding how you benefit from owning a pet...or lots of pets!

You can read more of the story here!

Article Resource from "The Pet Council"

A Pet Edge Blog Dedication to a Friend That Lost Their Pet

This is a special dedication from the Pet Edge Blog family to our special friend Lisa that lost her "special friend" a few days ago.The Pet Edge

Here's a little poem, which you may have seen before, but it always seems to touch animal lovers:

"Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge"

When a pet passes that has been especially close,
they depart to live near Rainbow Bridge.
Here there are meadows and hills for play,
And no suffering or pain do they acknowledge.

Health and vigor are restored to their life,
No fear or sorrow do they find.
Except to make their heart content,
They miss their owner they left behind.

Here our pets run, jump and play,
Frolicking happily from tree to tree.
Then the day comes when one suddenly stops,
to see who a passerby may be.

Their eyes become bright and their body begins to quiver,
And away from the group they quickly depart.
For the familiar smell and notice by sight,
has identified you as their lost owner.

Oh happy the day when you and your special friend finally meet,
you cling together in joyous reunion,
happy kisses rain upon your face,
as you realize your heart is no longer in seclusion.

As you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet,
so long gone from your life but loved forever.
And over the hill and down the path,
you both cross Rainbow Bridge together.... "

Author unknown...

The pet edge blog family would like all pet owners that have lost a loved one to know that we understand the value of your and the incredible role they play in your lives.

A Pet Edge Blogspot Tribute to Our Special Friends

All of us want our pet to have the edge in life. Sometimes our love for our pets can't be described in words. A wonderful slide video of some really SPECIAL friends!

Dr. Carol Osborne and your pet advisor

Dr. Carol's Daily Essentials vitamin supplement for dogs and cats are now available exclusively through veterinarian, Dr. Carol Osborne. Contact Dr. Carol's office directly toll free at 1-866-372-2765 for details.

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Save Loads of Money on Dog Toys & Supplies at Petedge.com

I'm Not Making A Dime to Promote Petedge.com

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Here is a recent post from a High School Student

I searched the forums but didn't see anything about this! I have a pet gift basket business and when I started out I searched hard for good prices on quality pet items (not the cheap junk from the dollar tree). Toys in other stores (i.e. pet smart) are so outrageous Im amazed that anyone would buy them... but of course pet lovers will do anything for their pets.

I finally found this website called Pet Edge (www.petedge.com). They focus on selling to retailers and groomers, although no proof is required and there are no minimums. Their toys start at 49 cent and some of the best quality toys on there are only 1 and 2 bucks. For instance, here are the toys under 1$ (www.petedge.com Shipping is pretty decent too!

These toys are high quality, beautiful bright colors, cute shapes, seasonally focused (I have some adorable Christmas ones that play music when squeezed). They're not inky dinky either. My chow and black lab have a huge toy box full of them and they're the perfect size. The toys are perfect for small to medium dogs (chow, collie, lab = medium) and there are a few big dog selections available too. They have kong toys for less than 5 bucks (and if you have dogs you know how expensive they can be).

Anyway, I haven't told anyone else about this site since its where I get my business supplies but i thought i'd let you guys in on it. Im sure there are some other pet lovers out there like me.

Thanks for the tip Coleroo!

Does your pet have the edge? Is A Dog Human?

As a pet owner, I treat my dog like a king. I want my pet to have the pet edge. We have all been guilty of trying to relate to our dogs or other pets the way we relate to other humans. One must ask themselves if your pet can have complex emotions similar to humans, or are there actions based on instinct? The article gives a brief discussion on the author's insights to your pet's physicological make-up.

Trying to treat a dog like a human is called "Anthropomorphism" the dictionarystates that this means "Attributing human characteristics to things that are not human" . Your pet is not a small hairy person, he is of another species known as a "Canine."

Humans are capable of complex emotions like love, sadness, despair, jealousy, sympathy, hatred and loyalty. A dogs emotional state is more reactive, instinct driven, and survival orientated. Instinct is something which is either there or not there, and it covers survival, maternal, hunting, guarding, pack, and self-preservation.

Dogs are living in the present, they react to the immediate smell, sound, and movement. Dogs experience aggression mostly from their "Owners" who do not understand that the dog does not understand what they are talking about. Most weeks I have a client informing me that their dog is only able to understand Spanish, French, Swedish and the other day I was well informed that a dog could only understand Japanese!

Logic is alien to humans, all animals have an ability to communicate with eachother . I am able to communicate with a dog, since I am able to think like a dog, thats why I am called "The Dogman ! Dogs are unable to reason and when they lay on the floor are not capable of thinking "I wonder what mum is making for dinner", the dog will react only to a sound, smell, and to the immediate situation.

Many owners of pets will punish their pet after an event just like a child. This is non productive, and is called "Anthropomorphism." Try asking a dog what one and one equals? or simply deduct one from two, I bet he cant work it out!

In summary, if you are trying to give your dog the "pet edge", relate to your pet on a dog's terms...after all, even if we want to treat them like family, they are still an instinctive creature.

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You and Your New Pet

The article introduces a guide to ease the experience of you and your dog get to know each other better. The author lists a couple of neccesary steps to follow to help give your dog the pet edge.

This handy guide will help you and your new dog get acquainted. It also suggests several things to do in making your home, yard and neighborhood a safe and healthy place for your dog:

1. The all-important ID. It is imperative that you get an identification tag for your dog as soon as possible. Tags are readily available at pet stores or through offers made by petfood manufacturers. Include the pet's name, your phone number, and address (if room permits). The results of not getting a sturdy collar and tag can be tragic. If your pet should somehow become lost it may never be recovered without aproper ID.

2. The Safety Check. Be sure to safety check your home, yard and neighborhood so that your dog will have a safe and healthy environment. If you have a dog, make sure that your yard is fenced and gated to prevent it from escaping. Too many dogs arekilled by running into the street and getting hit by a car. When it comes to your home, keep in mind that puppies are especially curious. Puppies like to chew on things and get into things.

Give your dog the pet edge, make sure your pet is safe!

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