Black cats at Halloween. Are they really in danger?

A few years ago I visited an animal shelter looking for a pet to adopt. I struck up a conversation with one of the workers and somehow we got on the subject of black cats. She mentioned that they do not adopt black cats around Halloween. I asked why. She informed me that sometimes they are used in satanic rituals. I had never heard of such a thing.

I've thought about that statement over the next few years. I began to wonder just how at risk black cats really were around Halloween. I decided to do some research.

What did I find? I found out that at least in the last 2 or 3 decades there have been no documented cases of Halloween related cruelty to black cats. I did come across several stories involving cats and satanic activities but in each of those cases there was no concrete evidence to prove it. They appear to be merely urban legends.

Most animal shelters have no restrictions on cat adoptions around Halloween. they say that black cats have a difficult enough time being adopted that preventing them for unfounded reasons would only add to the difficulty.

It seems that people that are cruel to animals don't care what time of year it is or what color the animal is.

So if you own a black cat the possibility of it being stolen and used as a sacrifice or mistreated in connection with Halloween is very remote. However, a little caution never hurts either.

We wish everyone a happy and safe Halloween.

What's in a name?

You've probably heard of a Labradoodle or maybe a Puggle or a Chorkie but have you ever heard of a Bascottie or a Buggs? How about a Schnoodle? These are all names you can find on the American Canine Hybrid Club's list of officially recognized mixed, or "hybrid", breed names.

Saint Berdoodle
(Saint Bernard & Poodle)

As the interest in hybrid dogs increases so does the number of names on the list. And the list is getting pretty long. New hybrids are being created all the time. According to the ACHC if you are the first to create a new hybrid you can submit a name for it. If chosen, the name will be used for all successive litters of that particular hybrid.

This sounds like an opportunity as exciting as naming a new planet or discovering a new kind of dinosaur fossil. There are probably hundreds of breeders out there right now looking for a combination that hasn't been done yet and hoping to be the first to create and name it.

A Ba-Shar (similar to Clyde)

Our family has owned hybrid dogs. We had a Basset Hound and Shar Pei mix. He was the coolest looking dog ever. We named him Clyde. We didn't know it at the time but according to the list he was a Ba-Shar. Our current dog, Oreo appears to be a combination of perhaps Border Collie and some kind of Terrier. There doesn't seem to be anything listed for that.

One good thing about creating hybrids is that it's an opportunity to eliminate or at least reduce the chances of the dog having one or more of the health problems attributed to certain breeds. Bulldogs are known to have respiratory issues, German Shepards often suffer hip dysplasia, and Dachshunds have back problems. Through cross-breading many of these issues can be eliminated. And on top of all that, many of them are just so darn cute.

The American Kennel Club recognizes hybrid dogs. They have a special website specifically for registering mixed breeds. It's called AKC Canine Partners. They can even compete in the same events as purebred dogs.

Chizer
(Chihuahua & Miniature Schnauzer)

If you know or suspect you have a hybrid dog but aren't sure what breeds are involved you can find out easily enough by purchasing a DNA Test Kit. Simply swab the inside of your pet's cheek and mail the sample into a lab where they will test it and send you the results in 2 to 3 weeks. We have tests available for purchase on our website.

Let's have some fun. The following is a list of hybrid breed names from the American Canine Hybrid Club's website. See how many you can figure out. If you get stuck the answers are listed below or you can look at the ACHC list.
1. Boxador
2. Bullhuahua
3. Chiweenie
4. Chonzer
5. Chug
6. Dorkie
7. Giant Schnoodle
8. Mastador
9. Peke-A-Poo
10. Raggle
11. Rottle
12. Saint Berdoodle
13. Schweenie
14. Snorkie
15. Taco Terrier

It seems that Poodle combinations have the cutest names. If I could create one I'd breed an American Bulldog with a French Poodle and call it a Canoodle. I like the sound of that.

As I asked in the title of this post, what's in a name? For a mixed-breed dog the answer is...everything.

Puggit
(just kidding)

Answers:
1. Boxer & Labrador Retriever 2. Bull Terrier & Chihuahua 3. Chihuahua & Dachshund 4. Bichon Frise & Miniature Schnauzer 5. Chihuahua & Pug 6. Dachshund & Yorkshire Terrier 7. Giant Schnauzer & Standard Poodle 8. Labrador Retriever & Mastiff 9. Pekingese & Poodle 10. American Rat Terrier & Beagle 11. Poodle & Rottweiler 12. Poodle & Saint Bernard 13. Dachshund & Shih Tzu 14. Miniature Schnauzer & Yorkie 15. Chihuahua & Toy Fox Terrier

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! From all of us here at Peticular Fashions

2013

Wow! Doesn't it feel like the year went by so quickly? It just zoomed by. Yet when I look back on it I realize that we actually got a lot of stuff done throughout the year.
Let's take a quick stroll down the Peticular Fashions memory lane.

Early in 2012 we decided to change the clothing provider for our store. We just felt that the quality wasn't what our customers expected. So we decided to become an Amazon affiliate instead. That opened the door to a whole range of clothing and accessories, toys, food, etc. for all types of pets.

We also redesigned the site that gave it a more visually

appealing look as well as easier <-- navigability and we added 4 times as many products as we had before with plenty more being added all the time.

All in all we feel the pet store is moving in the right direction and getting better every day.

On our home front many changes happened. The biggest is that we packed up all of our belongings and moved two states away. A difficult decision it was but one we feel was right for our family.

And perhaps the best news of all, we added a new member to our family.

A little four legged bundle of joy named Oreo. He was given to us by some friends and he is a welcome addition. He is lovable and smart and full of energy.

So that's a recap of our 2012 year. We would love to know all about your year and what exciting things you're looking forward to in this new year, 2013.

From our family to yours, Happy Holidays and we wish you the very best throughout the new year. Welcome to 2013!!