Lovelly Pets

Meow Diaries

Posted: 29 Aug 2010 09:19 PM PDT

Groomers have taken pet grooming to a whole new colourful level with dog nail polish! I looked it up online and apparently, this latest fad is geared towards dogs rather than cats. I don't think cats have nails big enough to pull off this stylish new trend as well as dogs but I do think they make for a pretty addition to any dog, female that is. For dog owners who really want to dress up your male dog maybe for Halloween; you can of course opt for a macho, more neutral colour like black or brown.

If you think it's expensive to get a bottle of nail polish, you would be mistaken for they're actually really affordable. Grooming Pet Supplies is coincidentally having a sale, with a bottle of Color Paw dog nail polish going for below $5 each. Safe to use for both dogs and cats, this brand does not cost much to get your pets looking pretty! Smiley

The Color Paw range offers premium quality nail polish, which lasts longer with water and chip resistant features. Using a fast-drying formula, your pets would only need a single-coat of Color Paw Nail Polish to complete his or her makeover. Dog Nail Polish Remover Wipes are also available to help you remove the paint from your pet safely and easily. Smiley

Check out some of the colours available with more variety to choose from when visiting the site.

Personally, I like the Bubble Gum nail polish, which I think is purr-fect for Phoebe! However, I know she will never sit still long enough for me to paint her nails so there will be no parading of Phoebe's pretty paws anytime soon I guess!

-FC Scoreboard points for my first THREE commenters-

Your Daily Cute: Your daily dose of cute!

Smooshy Kitty vs. Tricky Treat

Posted: 29 Aug 2010 09:05 PM PDT

Indy the kitty is getting a treat! Yay, a treat! So she reaches out, and... and... oopsies. Kitty go boom.But wait! She gets another chance! And this time, well, you'll see. ;)It doesn't seem like it was that far of a slip, just a bench or something. Try again, Indy!Success! I'm glad she got one there all nice and safe on the floor.

Your Daily Cute: Your daily dose of cute!

Smooshy Kitty vs. Tricky Treat

Posted: 29 Aug 2010 09:05 PM PDT

BTB: Tidbits about stall design

Tidbits about stall design

Posted: 29 Aug 2010 01:35 PM PDT

Most women read House Beautiful or Home and Garden -- me, I seem to love reading about stall design. Riley and Harv have encountered quite a number of stall types in the last few weeks, and it's interesting to watch their reaction to the various features. Here's what the experts say on the subject...

Size
While in some respects you can say bigger is always better, from a practical standpoint, this isn't really so. The ideal size seems to be 12X12. Smaller stalls, like 10X10 or 10X12 are just "okay," probably a bit tight for a larger horse. A 14X14 stall is a must for breeding barns, but otherwise it's the law of diminishing returns applied to horsedom. That extra 2 feet can double the cost of building the stall, and it takes a lot more shavings/straw to bed. But most importantly, experts say the size of the stall is not as important how the design accommodates the horse's visual field.

On a clear day....
As it happens I love the "European" stall design (picture above right). From an architectural standpoint, it opens up the barn space and makes the interior more visually impressive. I like the curve of the stall front, too. From a horse psychology standpoint the open front is advantageous because...

The horse does not have great depth perception and their eyes are designed to function best in open spaces. While stalls are confining, it's possible to make them more comfortable by giving them a view to middle and far distances.
The stall is a "social space" where a horse can see and interact with other horses.
It offers improved light and ventilation.
Barn managers can monitor a horse's well-being more easily.

I'm guessing we don't see this design much because of cost. Dutch doors, stall grates all around, and adjoining paddocks might be cheaper alternatives (not sure about the grates, that's probably expensive too).

There are disadvantages other than cost. The open stall design is most feasible in a private barn, where the stall inhabitants tend not to change and personality conflicts are easier to resolve (by moving the horse, etc). In a boarding barn it could result in conflict, stall kicking, etc.

At any rate, here are some examples of stall designs that I think are fairly horse friendly...

Blackburn Architects Oak Haven Farm

Is this actually a stall? It's interesting anyway...
Schweiss Stables

Classic Equine Equipment

Olympia Buildings

Equine Systems

RESOURCES

Stable design from the horse perspective from Thomas Croce Architects

Innovative Equine Systems Horse Stalls

Classic Equine Equipment, Inc. -- Stalls

Horse stall design from Penn State U

What is the best design for horse stall barns from Penn State U extension agency

Stall builder from RAMM Fencing

Stall systems from EMGE Equine

Equine Products Direct stalls

Stall design from The Horse magazine

Selecting the right kind of wood

Horsestalls.com

Your Daily Cute: Your daily dose of cute!

Cat on a Mission to Rescue His Mousie!

Posted: 28 Aug 2010 09:05 PM PDT

Not only does this cow cat fetch, but he also is very, very determined and skilled at retrieving his mousie from even the tightest spots... like in the corner, behind the couch, in a spot that isn't any bigger than he is.Getting down there to get the mousie is one thing, but getting back out is a whole other mission... Go, kitty!