How did we ever live without the Web? I spend the whole day online and love finding fun, informative and silly pet sites. It is easy to waste away an entire workday looking at these sites. If you like to look at funny pet pictures ( and who doesn't? ) , head over to www.funny-pet-pictures.com . There you can view other people's pet pictures or upload your own. They also have comics, jokes and e-cards available. At www.DogChannel.com, there is a ton of information on health, training, magazines, books, dog shows and contests. The site www.UrbanHound.com is also chock full of information, but on a local level; the site covers New York, Chicago and San Francisco. Among other things, they list local events, legal information and local services. They also have message boards and a Hound of the Month feature. If your dog does not have a Web site of its own yet ( and shame on you ) , you can build one for free at www.Dogster.com . You can list their likes, dislikes, favorite toys and more. They have a section for friends and allow people to stop by and give your dog a bone.
When you are ready to travel with your dog stop by www.BringFido.com to find the perfect pet friendly hotels, events and destinations. If Fido or Fluffy are staying at home while you travel ( sniff, sniff ) check out www.petsitters.org to find a certified pet sitter in your area. To find a new best friend my favorite site is www.PetFinder.com . You can search on type of pet ( dogs, cats, horses, reptiles, rabbits, birds ) from shelters and rescue groups all over the country. You can also search by breed, size, gender and age. Not all rescues are older animals either; we found our second dog Bowie on there when he was only 9 months old. For some doggy laughs you can visit www.LaughingDogPress.com . Their tag line is 'A community for dogs owners with a sense of humor.' They offer a humorous look at dog breeds and dog sports. To create a talking dog to email to friends, log onto host-d.oddcast.com/php/start_doggieMail/door. Trust me, it is worth the pain of typing in that long URL!
For a one-stop shop for all things cat, go to www.wisecats.com/pages/cats.htm. You'll find links to the top 10 cat sites and then some. If your cat loves what happens on your computer screen you must go to www.cattv.com/catwebsite.htm and create some bees, butterflies, bats, bugs or groundhogs to amuse ( or frustrate ) your kitty. In a class all its own is www.MyCatHatesYou.com . They boast 'the largest selection of sour-faced, indignant felines on the internet.' They include forums, a store, and The Litterbox where you can post your comments.
For all you reptile lovers ( and someone will need to explain that love to me ) you can check out www.SnakesAndReptiles.com . There are links to reptile auctions ( who knew? ) , photos ( sorry, but ewwwww ) and classifieds. If you want to learn more than you ever thought you could about snakes, see 42explore.com/snake.htm.
Upcoming Events:
Mar 15, 7-11 p.m., Irish Eyes Guest Bartending fundraiser, Irish Eyes, 2519 N. Lincoln. All tips benefit Paws Chicago, www.PAWSChicago.org
March 16, 17 and 18 – Chicagoland Pet Expo, Renaissance Convention Center, Schaumburg.. Check out www.PetExpo.com for hours and a discount coupon.