No, it's cool, Nemo likes freshwater!

[angelkirie]

My boyfriend works for Petco now and they *are* allowed to deny sales, at least in his store - perhaps it's a management/regional decision? And I'm certain he would have in that case.

He very nearly caused a lawsuit (that Petco was eager to defend him on!) when he refused to sell a goldfish to a woman who was buying it solely for the purpose of keeping in a bowl for Persian New Year and then releasing into a stream. She went apesh*t and sicced two different lawyers on him and the store, but they stuck to their guns! I'm so proud of that company!

(Now if only the woman had lied and said she had a tank at home, there would be nothing he could have done about it - why don't people think these things through?!)

[Kitten in the box]

He's probably gonna use table salt for the poor fish being as it needs salt water. I'm no fish expert by any means but I kind of think salt water fish need a certain kind of salt that they sell in the pet store. :rollseyes:

[Marmalady]

I think that pet shops all over must cringe whenever a new 'animal' film goes on release.

After '101 Dalmatians' came out, of course EVERYONE wanted 'one of those cute spotty puppies'. Needless to say, a few months later the animal shelters were swamped with Dalmatians when people found out that they pooped, chewed things and needed walkies and vet care just like all dogs. Also, I'm not an expert on this breed but I understand they are dotty by nature as well as complexion, and take a lot of training (stands to be corrected).

If only people would realise that characters in movies are just that. No doubt when those people got the clownfish home, they were disappointed that it couldn't talk.

[Micer]

I think that pet shops all over must cringe whenever a new 'animal' film goes on release.

Just imagine when that movie 'Rio' comes out with the macaws. Oh, look at the pretty parrots! >_<; I can't stand folks that get fad animals, like the ones that get rabbits or chicks for Easter and than dump them off at the shelter when the awwing and cooing is done.

If only people would realise that characters in movies are just that. No doubt when those people got the clownfish home, they were disappointed that it couldn't talk.

But they were likely impressed at how quick he rolled onto his stomach and floated.

[Dreamstalker]

people would ask if the Alaskan king crab legs were freshly caught

Wow, I never knew Alaska was in the Gulf...wait, that must mean Deadliest Catch is faked, the Gulf can't possibly have that kind of weather!

[Marmalady]

But they were likely impressed at how quick he rolled onto his stomach and floated.

Yes indeed. Poor fishy.

[Squeaksmyalias]

* I'm going to start this by saying I spent half my life working for a trainer who trains dogs for Broadway and movies. Not to brag but to say trust me, even the dogs who are awesomely smart and well behaved in the movie, TV or stage, aren't even like that when the cameras are off. One of my favorites is a mutt who had to be switched into the role last minute due to the previous dog passing away, he wasn't even leash trained and house broken during his first month because we had just gotten him, but he knew his role and everyone thought he was fantastic. Then he would go and try to piddle on the floor at the hotel. *sighs and hangs head*(BTW sorry to that hotel, thanks for understanding and working with us) *

I think that pet shops all over must cringe whenever a new 'animal' film goes on release.

Yes, shelters also cringe and either will up the standards for that particular breed or claim not to have any unless they find someone who has all the right answers for wanting that breed, which is a background of owning it. Black cats are also a big thing and hidden at Halloween, they aren't adopted out due to the fact people will torture them or kill them or just want a black cat in their window for the holiday then return the cat the next day.

You are absolutely right about 101 Dalmatians, you will also notice that recordings of Dalmatian attacks also went up during that time period too, similar to when Air Bud came out, Golden retrievers became pretty popular, at the same time it is a go to breed, so sadly it also has a high recording of bites. It's not that they are bad breeds, its the fact that some people aren't meant to own some breeds or don't understand how to keep a dog.

That's why pets should never be chosen by what appears to be cute and well behaved, their are reasons for that behavior and some breeds are harder to train then others, or have quirks that are not meant for some families. Always research and know how much time you have to give to an animal before buying or adopting, they rarely turn out as perfect as they are in the movies.

[Yarnil]

they rarely turn out as perfect as they are in the movies.

Most of the time it isnt even 1 animal in the movie, but several, each one doing a different trick.

Even Lassie was not 1 dog.... And not all were even female

[Micer]

Black cats are also a big thing and hidden at Halloween, they aren't adopted out due to the fact people will torture them or kill them or just want a black cat in their window for the holiday then return the cat the next day.

That's why pets should never be chosen by what appears to be cute and well behaved, their are reasons for that behavior and some breeds are harder to train then others, or have quirks that are not meant for some families. Always research and know how much time you have to give to an animal before buying or adopting, they rarely turn out as perfect as they are in the movies.

Oh gods, that right there reminded me of a story, my sister-in-law is one of those sorts, picking the animal just for it's sheer looks and not personality/temperament/behavior.

She wanted a cat all of a sudden (aka. She saw ours and how well behaved he was, lol, Mephistopheles behaving) and decided to go out and purchase a black cat that was at the PSmrt's adoption center. Because a black cat was just so AWESOME looking (she was having a goth phase) Didn't ask to speak with the foster, had my hubby do it for her, and didn't care to hear the cat's background. And once she had the cat in the house, paid it attention for all of week.

Still fed it, but as to socializing, pitching in on cleaning the litter box, making sure it didn't suddenly become infested with fleas, couldn't be bothered. So naturally, the cat (named Trinity after the whole first Matrix hullabaloo) got infested, and since she kept whining and putting off giving the cat a flea bath, it fell on me to give the cat her first bath.

...I still have scars on both of my arms...

It didn't go well. But suddenly this scrap of a cat is a horrible horrible monster in her eyes and it needs to leave this house NOW. So we took her back to the foster, since SIL just wanted to toss the cat outside and let her fend for herself, and it was there we learned that the cat had been through a rough infection as a kitten and had developed an intense aversion (this kitty was all fight for flight) to water. And naturally got the wonderful angry looks from the foster for being such horrible owners, because yet again hubby's sister couldn't be bothered to drop the cat off and face the foster herself.

I still want to strangle her for that.

[XCashier]

I still want to strangle her for that.

I don't blame you. Poor cat, being owned by an idiot. Poor you, having to put things right and getting everything dumped on you. Just a bad thing all around...except for SIL who got off scot-free. (Did you take her to task for the crap she put you through?)

:sigh: I feel sorry for any animal unfortunate enough to be owned by an idiot. I really wish people would do the research before getting a pet; "it's sooooo cute!" is not a good enough reason.

[Marmalady]

Golden retrievers became pretty popular, at the same time it is a go to breed, so sadly it also has a high recording of bites.

What's a 'go to' breed? Sorry to sound dense but I've not heard this expression before.

The bit about the black cats made me

[Seshat]

The 'go to' breed is the current fad, the current popular breed.

Such as clownfish (Nemo), dalmations (101 Dalmations), and so forth.

[Squeaksmyalias]

The 'go to' breed is the current fad, the current popular breed.

[Note: I'm just using these two breeds as examples since like I said they are the two most common family pets. I like both of them a lot and have trained both types, please do not get offended if you own one and you aren't happy with what I said, I realize I might sound harsh, but it's for a reason. PM me if you'd like to discuss further, Thanks.]

I meant it as the regular popular breed, no matter the currant fad. Everyone believes it to be easy to train and ideal family pet, labs are also considered that. While they are great breeds, being easy to train and ideal family pet isn't always the case, it depends on that particular dog's temperament and the one doing the training plus the family lifestyle. Which is why I always suggest people take a good long look at their lives, talk to several different breeders and breed owners (btw a good breeder will be VERY honest about their breeds faults, they want their babies to be in the right home) before bringing a dog into their home. Both Golden retrievers and labs are active dogs, I've found people easily over feed their Goldens *, and under exercise their labs turning one into a round ball of hyper, and the other one into a bit of a terror which of course happens when you have waaay to much energy and not enough exercise, the dog won't be pleasant to be around.


* I think Goldens get over fed because of how active they are, their owners believe that feeding them a lot makes up for how much they run around normally without regular exercise, but I'd say 3 out of 4 golden retrievers I saw weekly were very over weight due to the lack of exercise and owners insisting the dog be fed 3-4 cups a food daily. It does happen to labs too, but for some reason I normally see it more in Golden retrievers.

I've always told people expect an hour of walking daily at the very least, plus playing, if the dog isn't one who likes to play then expect more walking. With smaller dogs I normally say Half an hour of walking since some little ones enjoy a good walk but sometimes it's less. You can always do other fun active things with the dog instead of the walking, especially if it's a dog who will chase a dog for hours of course. As long as you keep your dog in the right weight for that breed you are good, it's similar to humans you want to stay in the right weight for your height, which is why my dog is my work out buddy.


***In case some of you are curious about activity VS feeding here is an example: My dog is a hound X Lab mix, She gets about 2 miles of walking plus 1 hour of play per day, if she doesn't get that she goes crazy. We feed her about a half a cup of grain free dry food plus about a half a cup of meat and veggies a day, plus snacks. She used to eat twice a day, but doesn't like getting up for breakfast so now just gets dinner. She stays about 55 lbs which puts her right about where she should be for both breeds. If you are working on changing your dog's weight, talk to your vet about where the weight should be and how much your dog should be eating a day total, counting treats. Plus how much exercise it should be getting, if you plan on giving less exercise then make sure to feed less. (If you are interested in what kind of food would be good to use or any other questions PM me.)

[Marmalady]

My dog is a golden retriever, and though he is slowing down now (12 years old) he is still very fit and active, and I'm sure that a lot of it stems from the fact that he was never overfed. Of course, given his own way, he would eat like there was no tomorrow.....

[Seshat]

All my pets so far have come from rescues - RSCPA, Lost Dogs Home, Lort Smith Hospital.

In my experience, if you tell the rescue what sort of home you're providing, they'll show you which pets are suitable for that home (or refer you to the next rescue in the list, if they have none right then.)