Here are a few of the unusual resources for people to explore so they can appreciate their family members (dogs) even more!
Lydia Hiby, Pet Communicator
- available by phone consultation
According to Hiby, when you call, she
speaks to you about your pet on the
phone, but is "talking" to your pet
telepathically. Your animal companion's
name is their own personal radio
frequency that she dials in like a radio
wave. "I truly understand people being
skeptical about this process - all I can
say to answer them is that I do half of
my business over the phone with people
literally all over the world."
318 Brotherton Road
Escondido, CA 92025
(760) 796-4304
ydiahiby.com
Teresa Wagner, Deceased Pets
Communicator
(831) 236-4080
animalsinourhearts.com.
Suzi Dalling, Pet
Communicator specializes in
lost pets
(805) 512-1720
connectinharmony.com
Laura Stinchfield, Pet
Psychic
Does readings by appointment and also
appears Wednesdays from 4 to 6 p.m. at
Aloha Dog Grooming, 1076 East Front St.,
Ventura, CA
thepetpsychic.com
Apartment rentals with pets
peoplewithpets.com
At a swap meet a senior couple sat on a park bench snacking on a muffin. Their little chihuahua sat on the man's lap and tried to win his heart for some snacks (it worked). "This is our child," said the man, "though I blame my wife for spoiling our little baby."
The trends are clear. While some businesses are losing market share, pet products are on the rise, thanks to those who own dogs and are pampering them with best foods, finest clothes, and even toys. In fact, pet products now outpace toy sales-- people in the U.S. spend several billion dollars more on pet goods than they do on toys for kids. Of the 73 million homes in the U.S. with dogs, there are some households where the dog is treated better than the children.
Californians own the most dogs of any state in the U.S., spend the most money as taxpayers to have unwanted dogs euthenized (including 25% that are purebreds), and insurance companies pay out more money in dog bite settlements in California than any other state. With some of the most comprehensive laws dealing with dog bites, owners will normally be found liable in dog bite cases that occur in public places.
Nearly 40% of California households own at least one dog and they are convinced it's good for their health. The statistics support the notion that dogs can help lower blood pressure, decrease incidences of heart attacks, and reduce depression in humans. But in tough economic times, dogs can also become a source of stress. Since 2009 there has been an upward trend in people relinquishing their pets to shelters. They cite financial difficulties and home foreclosure as several reasons they have to get rid of the pooch.
One thing is certain--pet ownership is in no danger of going away, and money spent on dogs will continue to increase. That's what the data suggests. New products and innovations include a self-warming dog bed, doggie safety seats, and health and beauty products such as shampoo, conditioner, and toe nail polish. No kidding!
If you are having trouble coping with the loss of a pet, you can get grief counseling. If your pet has behavioral issues, there's an expert who talks to your pet and will tell you what the critter says. And if you miss a dog that has died, there's a person who talks to pets on the "other side".
Dog Statistics in the U.S.
* There are approximately 77.5 million
owned dogs in the United States
* 39-40% of U.S. households own at least
one dog
* Most owners (67 percent) own one dog
* 24% of owners own two dogs
* The proportion of male to female dogs
is even
* 19% of owned dogs were adopted from an
animal shelter
* On average, dog owners spent $225 on
veterinary visits (vaccine, well visits)
annually
* 75% of owned dogs are spayed or
neutered
State Farm Insurance releases 2010
nationwide dog bite statistics
Leading insurance provider State Farm has compiled a list of statistics detailing the number of dog bite insurance claims it received in 2010. As far as State Farm claims are concerned, California leads the pack with a total of 369 claims and roughly $11 million in payouts. This averages nearly $30,000 in payouts per dog bite claim. Los Angeles postal Carriers receive the most bites in any California city.
What to do if you think a dog may
attack:
Always avoid eye contact
If a dog attack seems imminent, reach
for the closest possible object to place
between you and the animal. This could
be anything from a bicycle to a purse or
backpack.
Dog & pet facts:
*For every human born, 7 puppies and kittens are born.
*One female cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 cats in 7 years. One female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 puppies in 6 years.
*More than 12 million dogs and cats are euthanized in shelters each year.
*As many as 25% of dogs entering shelters each year are purebreds.
*Approximately 61% of all dogs entering shelters are killed.
*It costs approximately $100 to capture, house, feed, and eventually kill each stray animal -- a cost which you, the taxpayer, eventually pay.