A Guide To Choosing a New Fish: Beta Fish

Every now and than I get a little bored. As bad as it sounds, it sometimes feels as though I don't have enough things to care for in my life. Maybe it's because I was an only child, or perhaps the simple fact that our 'pets,' when I was growing up, never stuck around more than a few months. I have an attachment to living things and caring for them, whether they walk on 2 feet, 4 feet, or rely on fins to get around. Sabrina (10) has a dwarf bunny and a rather precocious adult cat, and of course, here at our house, we have Truffles (the cat who lives life as a dog) and Nora (the awkward but adorable Morkie). I know it's Sabrina's job to drag home injured and wayward animals, but it's usually me pleading for a new family member at the pet store. I've been campaigning for a hammy (hamster) for months, though the upkeep and smell of small rodent pets has kept that idea at bay, and recently decided to make the plunge with a different kind of pet.

Choosing the right pet for your family can seem like a dubious chore. Even within a species (dog, cat, fish, bird, etc), there are many variants to consider (size, age, temperament, upkeep). In college my home had a working saltwater tank with some rather expensive fish; but I was hardly their caretaker. The truth is, the thought of caring for my own fish was a bit overwhelming at first. Sure they swim around in the designated area of a tank, and are relatively easy to feed, but maintaining a safe liquid habitat, and cleaning said habitat without disrupting the fish is a whole other story. Then there's the actual fish. Choose an expensive fish, and it likely will need more advanced care (larger tank, aeration, fresh foliage), choose a more affordable fish and you may be bringing Mr.Scales back in a Ziploc baggy floating backside. Furry or finned I have no desire to be responsible for the demise of an animal, and fish have always been something a little foreign to me.

Recently I discovered a new Beta tank designed to be self cleaning; well, as much as a tank can be. This No Clean Aquarium operates with a gravity driven fill system that pushes dirty water at the base of the tank up through a tube and out a spout at the top, when fresh filtered water is poured in. (More on the tank itself in a future post.) This method of external (hands free) cleaning gave me the confidence to invest in a Beta, one of the least fussy varieties of finned pets. Beta fish live in freshwater surroundings and do not require aerated water (this means pump free tanks); they simply rise to the surface for air as needed. They're your traditional starter fish, but have a few particularities that require one fish per habitat. Beta fish also come in a variety of colors and fin sizes which often range in cost from $4-$20. Thankfully there was a very helpful young woman working at the pet store we frequent who was happy to answer all of our never-ending questions and set us up with the necessary supplies. I let Sabrina (10) pick out the Beta she liked best, and it was no surprise she once again proved she had expensive taste, selecting the most flashy (and lively) fish on the Beta display.

As it turns out Beta fish love to 'lounge' on plants; creating a sort of hammock from existing leaves and foliage, so we were certain to pick out a few strands of living green to decorate our fish's new home. There are also many types of Beta fish food, specific for the gender, and coloring. Different formulas of fish food will have varied reactions with the scales and coloring of your Beta, so always ask for advice when not sure. These particular fish should be fed once a day, but can also survive up to a week on extended pellets of compressed food. Most importantly, though Betas require the least amount of habitat preparation, they do need chlorine free, filtered water. Be sure to invest in some Water Conditioner drops to pre-treat your tank's water, and allow the water and the fish to sit out at room temperature for a few hours before introducing the two in the new habitat.

Beta fish should have a natural light cycle; this means your fish tank should be placed where it will receive plenty of natural light (but not in the sun's heat), or outfitted with a simple LED tank light. If you are going the light route, be sure to make sure it is not in danger of being submerged in water, and turn it on and off with your regular sleep and wake cycle each day. Color changing LED lights can be bought at a local pet store to add extra personalization to your tank and decor. While you can decorate your tank as you wish, it's best to keep in mind basic safety flags when choosing decor that is not manufactured specifically for tanks. Avoid painted items that may flake or erode in water, do not over-clutter the tank with items the fish may become caught or snagged in, and always cover the basin of your tank with an even array or rocks (river rocks shown). We wanted to go with a Spongebob theme for our tank, but only the smallest decorations would fit. Most Beta tanks are on the efficient (Space saving side), as Betas do not require much room to thrive in.

I'm happy to report our newest family member is thriving in his new habitat, this Half Moon Male Beta has beautiful dual-tone colors, and was promptly named 'Gary' (as in the snail) on the ride home from the pet store. We feed him every night (with the furry kids), and clean his tank once a week (by refilling with filtered water). I have to admit, the No Clean Aquarium has really helped make the entire process much easier for me, and I highly recommend looking into it for any family considering a new Beta. (Again, more on the tank and it's unique filtering process in a future post.) I was initially a bit worried about how the cat would take to the fish, but the tank is quite sturdy (thanks to it's tall and skinny structure), and Gary serves more as a beacon of entertainment than a possible late night snack. But Nora (dog) and Truffles (cat) will sit for hours watching him swim back and forth, almost as transfixed as Sabrina. Gary may not be a very hands on type of pet, but he's a welcome part of our family none-the-less.

Does your family have a fish? Are you thinking of adopting one?

A Feline Summer? Put Up All 4 With @CatCrib Giveaway

***I received a sample product from Cat Crib to facilitate my review. Regardless, all opinions are original and all images contained there in are property of Time Out Truffles Blog 2013.

It has been a while since my last pet post, and for that, I am sorry. The intent has been to keep pet content to the Pet Blog, here, but the first half of this year has sufficiently kicked my blogger bum. In any case, I am happy to report I have resumed regular blogging on the Pet Blog, and all interested in such content should subscribe now for 3-4 pet related posts a week. Now, on to today's foray into animal merchandising. Any feline owner knows that one does not simply own a cat; the cat owns you. Try to argue otherwise, but when we really take a look at this human to feline relationship it's astounding there aren't more 'Crazy Cat Ladies.' At this very moment in time there is a fine layer of fur floating whimsically across my laptop keypad, and a catnip mouse beneath my feet. Don't get me wrong, we love our pup just as much as the cat; but poor 5lb Nora is no match for our 4.8lb Tuxedo cat. No, I'm not talking turf wars, I'm referring to freedom and mobility. Felines have the prowess to scale the tallest furniture, and wriggle between the most unlikely of cracks.

Some of you may recall a little post I did a month or so back about the strange pet sightings we've had in our home. The very first day we moved in I found Ms. Truffles sitting atop the kitchen counter alongside a pot. Some things are simply inevitable in our home. If there is an open box on the floor, there will be a cat in it. If you leave your laptop open long enough, without your hands at work, there will be a cat on the keyboard (and sometimes while you're typing too). And if Momma, me in this case, has a favorite spot to sit or relax, Truffles will curl up to replace her in her absence. For a while, and still from time to time, Truffles treated our printer as a daybed, lounging with all fours flailing off the sides, lazily staring out the window. The obvious solution would be to provide the cat her own designated space to look out the window; unfortunately for us, the printer is located directly next to a quite expensive cat tree. Much like toddlers, however, cats don't want what they are given; they are much too independent to be told where they should lounge!

Seating is fairly limited in our 2 bedroom condo, which makes me glad to know that Truffles will sufficiently lounge wherever. Unfortunately, when anyone takes interest in the dining room table, she immediately has to be amidst the action, and sitting on one of our four dining chairs. When I am home Truffles is usually not far away, and this can become a problem when guests arrive. I'm embarrassed to admit our furry kids have almost as much furniture as the humans, and I simply cannot invest more space for them. So, when I discovered the space saving Cat Crib I instantly wanted one for our home. This unique hammock of sorts is affordable and discreet, fitting under nearly any chair or side table (anything with 4 legs). It attaches with 4 grip lined straps that feed through buckles and Velcro to secure around each leg of your table/chair. Cats, finicky creatures by nature, tend to need small 'safe' spaces they can lounge in, while feeling safe. The hammock space can be adjusted to provide optimal privacy and support for any feline, and is entirely fuss free- it's machine washable!

The exterior of the Cat Crib is a tough and easy to clean Nylon material that comes in an assortment of design friendly colors, with a black fleece lining for comfort. Upon unpacking I immediately knew I wanted to place the Cat Crib under one of our dining chairs, though the chair base is more of a trapezoid than uniform square, and the chair's rungs are at varied heights. At first the straps kept slipping, until I realized I was not placing the buckle on the outer rim of the chair leg, and one of the straps was inside out (the rubber grip should be hugging your chair's leg). Truffles is just under 5lbs, as an adult, and on the small side of felines, so I knew instantly I needed to reread the directions when the Cat Crib was slipping with a 5lb cat! Once all of that was sorted (installation is a breeze if you read the directions properly), I knew my next chore would be gaining Truffle's interest. It's not easy guiding a cat to a new lounging location when they already have so many awesome favorites!

To introduce Truffles to the Cat Crib I placed the dining room chair by her favorite bird watching window (the porch), and slinked back into the shadows to watch. It didn't take long for her to begin sniffing and marking (rubbing her whiskers) the chair and Cat Crib, though she was hesitant at first. After a good 10 minutes of 'will she or won't she' Truffles hopped into the suspended cat hammock. She didn't waste time sprawling out in approval, her tail swaying in content over the edge. A few times I saw her eyes grow heavy, and her head dangle sleepily over the side, a cheesy "I'm chasing mice in my head" grin on her face. In all, we're very pleased with the construction and durability of this pet furniture. It's virtually undetectable with the chair pushed into our dining area, and provides Truffles a safe and quiet place to retreat when guests come over and the house get's hectic. Now, if only we could keep the dog from climbing in it!

One Time Out Truffles follower will win a Cat Crib in their color of choice!

Cats And Strawberries- A Connection To Catnip?

We're baaaaack! Okay, I had to take some time away from the Pet Blog due to a myriad of health issues and an influx of work on the main blog. In any case, I hope to get back to blogging over here regularly (3-4 posts a week), and re-starting the Pet Pals blogger/reader goodie swap program. In the mean time I thought today's topic would be a perfect way to break back into pet blogging. You see, about a month back, during Spring Break, Sabrina (10) and I spent a day at the local Pick-Your-Own farm. We brought back a modest 5lbs of hand picked strawberries, carefully arranged in clear produce containers. When we arrived Sabrina had placed her bag, with 2 containers of strawberries on the floor by the foot of the couch where she usually sits. We promptly became distracted by the concept of fresh strawberry smoothies, and headed to the nearby kitchen to wash and slice a few cups.

Now, I'm fairly observant, in the sense I have the motherly tingle- I know when something is amiss. Somehow my ears picked up the faint rustling of plastic somewhere in the room over. I was sure it was one of the four legged children, but whom, and why? I allowed this sound to go on for a few minutes, until the rustling became more intense and constant and I was driven to investigate. What I saw when I came around the corner was borderline obscene. Truffles was throwing her entire body onto the strawberry containers and rubbing like a bear on a tree. Now I know cats like to 'mark' their pheromone by nuzzling their whiskers, but I had never seen a cat take to an inanimate object like this; especially a fixed one! We all had a good laugh as this continued for a good 20 minutes until I tired and removed the berries from her range, but I was left quite curious as to what had sparked this catnip like behavior.

You see, cats are carnivores and cannot digest fruits as well as protein; therefor her intent was far from consuming these red berries. I did a little research online to see if I was alone in this traumatic experience, and it turned out I certainly was not. One forum guest recalled a tale of waking in the middle of the night to find her cat had pulled strawberry scraps out of the trash to simply smash and roll in them. While there were many tales of strawberry shenanigans, in particular, there were several accounts of leaf laden veggies and fruits in general. Carrots (click here for fan photo) seem to frequently cause a bit of commotion too, though no scientific reasoning can be provided as to why. The only actual 'scientific' note I could find was a remark that tigers in captivity often have toys soaked with a natural strawberry scent to encourage playfulness. Whatever the case, it certainly is amusing, and slightly awkward. Does your cat got ba-n-an-a-s for any strange human food or non-edible object it prefers to play with rather than eat?

Help the @BlindCatRescue See A Future Without Spending A Dime

Today I'm going to have to edit myself a bit- I'm on my way out to visit my mother's family, and the cemetery; as it is the anniversary of my beloved grandmother's passing. This week in general tends to be hectic, as it is also Jay's birthday, 7 days shy of my oral surgery, and the anniversary of his own father's passing. Instead of writing a dreary reflective post I thought I'd try to pass on some of the spirit of the woman I will be honoring today and share a very simple request to help support an amazing cause. You see, growing up, I always loved my grandma Pony's house the best, for it was always filled with the kindest wayward animals. From the blind dove that still lives there today to the numerous homeless cats and spoiled dogs. Much like the people that passed through her life, she could not turn away an animal in need. Growing up my own home reflected this.

I've shared tales of how Momma would suddenly show up at my school with a homely looking cat in a carrier. Unfortunately, many of them ended up being ill beyond healing, but all enjoyed their time full of love and with full bellies. Some of our readers may or may not know that our own feral adoptee, Frankie, has Feline herpes; a lifetime immune deficiency that causes awful outbreaks much like a bad case of the human flu. In addition, he has special requirements behaviorally, which often see him self soothing (grooming) for hours on end and can make tasks as essential as digesting food near impossible. Ensuring Frankie keep his weight up, and managing the natural messes of a chronically sneezing cat, is quite the job- but Frankie deserves a happy home just like any other.

That is why, today, I am dedicating an entire post to the Blind Cat Rescue and Sanctuary in St. Pauls, NC. I have never been there, nor do I have a personal story of how they have have impacted any animals in my life, directly. However, I do feel I have become a part of their family through their adorable channel on Ustream, which live streams footage from their shelter rooms from 8:30 AM EST to 7 PM EST. Go on, click on over, you know you want to! This footage not only serves as a daily dose of adorable and magically captivating whimsy, but a place where those who donate can watch their parcels unboxed live. That's right, you can send items from the organization's Amazon wishlist and see as they are unboxed, put to immediate use, and watch as the cats enjoy and interact with them. Now, the Blind Cat Rescue houses, as a forever home, 100 cats; not all being blind. However, each and every cat has a unique story, is up for direct sponsorship, and requires a permanent loving home and full time care.

Started by a kindhearted woman, named Alana, in 2005; the Blind Cat Rescue and Sanctuary saves cats that would otherwise be put down at shelters. They nurse cats with lifetime illness' and disabilities, as well as provide plenty of attention and a loving home; all non-for-profit. If you are a cat lover, or simply a humanitarian, it's hard not to spend just a moment browsing the Ustream footage, or website and fall in love. Personally, I have spent many of the various Amazon gift cards I earn blogging and taking product surveys to donate directly from the Amazon wishlist, in addition to sending various product vouchers (for essential cleansers and detergents, you can imagine how many cat beds they wash!) But there is a way you can help without spending a single dime. The Blind Cat Rescue is in second place for a $10,000 grant through The Animal Rescue Site. Just a few hundred votes could make the difference in these 100 cats' lives!

Helping the Blind Cat Rescue cats and staff is as simple as clicking over here, to the Animal Rescue Voting Portal, and typing in "Blind Cat Rescue" as the shelter name, and "NC" as the state. The Blind Cat Rescue should be the only option that shows up. Simply click 'Vote,' and enter the CAPTCHA on the following page. Viola! You can vote once per day, per device- I am sure to vote on both my iPad and laptop daily, as well as Jay. It's something simple we ALL can do to make a difference in these adorable kitties lives, and once you've voted once, returning to vote is as easy as clicking a button (it saves the last shelter you voted for). For more information on what Alana and her crew are doing at the Blind Cat Rescue, and to get involved (or just unwind with some adorable pictures) visit their Facebook page. Thanks guys!

Wild Wednesday: Our Four-Legged Kids

This Week in Instagram (Kinda)

Left: We drove down to see the family up by Los Angeles just so Nora could have a Puppy Play Date. On the trip up one of our tires lost half it's tread and the other half was left changing to a spare on the side of the 101. His caption for this photo: "Gas... $50. 2 New tires.... $200... Driving down to La Puente so Nora can stretch out like a stone hippo... PRICELESS"

Right: I picked up the above Pink Elephant Beanie Baby at Walgreens to include with the other half's Memory Box Valentine's Day gift. You may or may not recall that Truffles has an, erm, addiction to these things, which she totes around the house, and 'fetches'. This poor little elephant was a goner from the moment it arrived in her house. There was some pouting on Jeremy's part about how Truffles had 'stolen' his elephant.....But I came home on V-Day to find a second elephant with a card for Truffles. A man who buys a Valentine's gift for your cat, isn't that a keeper? Too precious!

PetPals: Blogger/Reader Program January Reveal

It's that time of the month again, time for my PetPals reveal! For those just wandering over, or who might have missed the previous months and program explanation, here's a quick breakdown;

PetPals:

You don't have to be a social butterfly (though those who are welcome too), or even own a blog, to connect with unique and exciting pets (and owners) just like you! The process is easy, here's a simple breakdown for you- if it all sounds good, fill out the simple form below, and wait to be matched up on the 18th!

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-On the 18th of the month, you will receive your PetPal pairing via email. It will be your responsibility to contact your PetPal and get their mailing information, as well as their pet's information (breed, preferences, size, etc). When your PetPal match contacts you, be sure to send a picture of your pet, with your mailing information, so they can see who they'll be shopping for! 

-You will have until the 28th of the month to put your box of goodies in the mail. On the 15th of the following month, you will post about the goodies you received from your PetPal!

-The boxes are to be filled with fun pet toys, accessories, or snacks! Please be mindful (you may be matched with a cat OR a dog) of pet size/dietary restrictions, etc. The spending limit is $15. The box must also include something written. This can be anything from a note explaining what’s in the box, to a short story about your own pet.

-You are responsible for figuring out the best way to ship your items depending on their size and how fragile they are. (Don’t forget about flat rate boxes!)

-PetPals is open to blog readers as well as bloggers. If you’re a reader and you get paired with a blogger, you can choose to write a short guest post for your PetPal to post on their blog about what you received, or possibly share your box on Facebook (or other social media platforms).

- PetPals is currently only open to US residents. Please note, I am collecting a list of international and non cat/dog owners to gauge interest. If I receive enough matches I will open an international/rodent/reptile division.

While you'll find a complete guide to common questions and concerns on last month's post here, you can also read full guidelines at the sign up top, atop this blog. I'll briefly cover some of the bigger questions. In general, if your partner does not follow through there is nothing I can do. However, most people who flake do so by not responding to initial contact at all, which means you might have to sit out the month, but will not be sending to someone who has not sent to you. I make every effort to match people with flaked partners to new partners; this includes often keeping myself on reserve to buddy up with any forgotten PetPals, but sometimes the numbers just don't work out and I cannot find a second PetPal for you. If you're just plain wondering why us PetPals participate, I see it as quite simple. There are a dozen pet subscription programs out there ranging $15-$35/month. This is a free penpal service that offers the personal connection of meeting other pet owners, and their pets, with an honest hand picked selection of treats and toys. It's not some corporate bigwig trying to hook you on new products, these are products real pet lovers use and have tailor picked for your pet! And those concerned about shipping costs....In most cases, so long as you're not sending canned food, boxes can be quite lightweight and cost $3-$7 to ship. Just remember that 'flat rate; is not always the cheapest route to go for parcels under 1lb!

This month I was matched with Constance and her two furries Spike and Jelly (both cats). While I sometimes get a dog owner parent, it's usually a treat when I am matched with a pet owner shopping for the same type of animal. Nothing proves this more than the spot on assortment of toys and treats Constance put together for us. From the moment I popped open the small Priority box I knew we were about to be spoiled. Because each month's care package must contain a written element, Constance had sent an adorable greeting card with some notes about her and her family. I had a good chuckle at the card, which has made it's way to our cork board, and was soon fighting off Truffles, who had heard the sound of her absolute favorite toy; cat springs. Now, I know I've gone on about these springs before, and they have many names on the cat toy circuit, but they began as Looney Loops (which Constance had also included). These are extremely lightweight, and make a wonderfully tantalizing spring sound that cats love, so they bounce all over when thrown and swatted. The springs also tend to stick to cats paws, especially those with claws, which drive them nuts (they think the spring is attacking them!) I must have near 50 floating around my house, as Truffles loves to play fetch with them, and they disappear into the smallest of nooks and crannies.

Also included were two dangly cat swatter toys and some tender Blue Buffalo Kitty yums. We had actually discovered Blue Buffalo during last month's exchange, in a different variety, and they had quickly disappeared, so I was glad to replenish our stock. Truffles can smell these through the bag, and knew they were for her right away! As usually, we had a wonderful month with PetPals. I wish I could have got a shot of Truffles with the springs, but it's one of those 'drop a spring on my head at 2am, trying to play' sort of deals, and last month was a blur with the holidays and new year. Thank you so much to Constance, Spike, and Jelly, may 2013 bring you and your furbabies many great things!

The Places They Will Go: Strange Pet Sightings

We have 2, 5 tier, cat trees inside our 2 bedroom condominium, so why do I snap Instagram shots like this daily? Perhaps, like a kid, Truffles is most drawn to those things are are not designated 'hers'. Or perhaps she simply appreciates the childlike wonder of a good box?

Don't let these shots fool you, folks, just because she is standing in these shots does not mean she hasn't or isn't about to lay down, curl up in a ball, or sit for a length of time in those locations.  Just about the only place I haven't seen this cat is in the laundry (and I know a good many cats who prefer to lounge in baskets, and even open dryers). While it frustrates me endlessly that I've spent such an extravagant amount of money trying to make our home 'cat' friendly, and she still chooses the most inexplicable of places to relax; a part of me is incredibly envious. After all, how cool would it be to be able to climb behind, in, and around anything you wanted? How neat would it be to be able to leap to heights 8x your own, and look down upon the entire room in observance? Yes, some days I too wish I could crawl under a stereo cabinet, or enjoy the bath of sunlight streaming in across our dining table.

At the end of the day, however, I laugh it all off with a shrug; no matter where I may see her during the course of the afternoon, she's always sure to curl up in bed with me each night!

Where's the strangest place your pet likes to hang out?