This month, New Zealanders are mourning the loss of a highly intelligent and stubborn sheep named Shrek. The Merino sheep rose to stardom in 2004, after hiding out in a series of caves for seven straight years to avoid being sheared. When Shrek was finally captured, he had grown 60 pounds of wool, and only the tip of his nose was peeking out.

There are about ten times as many sheep in New Zealand as there are people, but Shrek is the only one ever known to evade yearly shearing roundups. Sheep are herd animals and dislike being alone, so it was very unusual for Shrek to hide alone in a cave. He was born on a farm with around 17,000 other sheep, which freely roam a 27,000 acre farm in the town of Tarras. Upon hearing his story, New Zealanders became smitten with his unique personality, and his owners built him his very own barn and special showroom. He toured the country, earning up to $16,000 for each appearance. His story also inspired three books, the proceeds of which prevented a local school from being closed due to lack of government funding.

Three weeks ago, at the age of 17, Shrek became ill.
He was appointed a personal caregiver to look after him, but his condition continued to decline, and he had to be euthanized. His owners plan to scatter some of his ashes on Mount Cook, the tallest mountain in New Zealand.

Shearing is important for sheep because it helps keep their skin healthy and improves their mobility. Similarly for our cats and dogs, when fur becomes heavy and matted, the underlying skin can become itchy or even infected. It also becomes an ideal breeding place for fleas and other parasites. Matted fur also pulls or stretches the skin when the animal moves or lays down, causing pain. It’s very important to make sure your pets are groomed regularly to keep their skin clean and prevent their fur from getting tangled or matted.

As for fleas and ticks, the best way to keep your pets free from these irritating pests is to use the appropriate Frontline Spot On Monthly Flea Treatment. Frontline was developed to prevent flea infestations in cats and dogs of all breeds and sizes, but it also keeps ticks and lice at bay. Simply apply Frontline Spot On once a month to make sure your pet remains protected. Frontline is waterproof, too – so it will continue to work even after your pet has been groomed.

Capable of Great speed and endurance, the Siberian Husky is a medium-sized working sled dog with a long history of friendship with people. It is also good with children. However, it is a breed which needs space and training if it is not to wander off and molest livestock or become destructive.

This is a dog that will not refuse to leave the fireside in wintertime. In fact, the colder it is the better for this animal. It was bred by the nomadic Chukchi tribes of northeast Asia with the aim of producing a hardy dog which could combine the roles of companion and hunter with that of a speed sleed dog.

It now draws appreciative audiences at dog shows, is used as a Search and Rescue dog ad is linked worldwide with the sport of dog sled racing.

It originated from the Kolyma River Region of Siberiam which extend eastward to the Bering Strait, and was first imported into Alaska in 1909.

The Siberian Husky weighs in at 45-60lb (20-27kg), bitches 35-50lb (16-23kg). It comes in all colors and markings, including white. A variety of marking on head are common, and include many striking patterns not found in other breeds,
This is a dog which does not display aggression toward strangers or, for that matter, other dogs, but is somewhat reserved in maturity; dogs stand 21-23½ in (53-60cm), and bitches 20-22 in (51-56cm).

If you are in the process of buying a new puppy, you will realize it is both a rewarding and exciting time in your life. You can easily find puppies for sale in pet stores, newspapers and of course on the internet. But how do you find out what puppy will suit you and your families needs? What points should you consider before getting your new dog? Below are 5 things to consider before purchasing a new puppy for you and your family.

1) Does your home have adequate space? – If you want a larger dog, you will need to have a larger yard. If you have a small home, you will need to look at smaller dogs. All puppies look tiny when you go shopping, but bare in mind some puppies will grow to an enormous size. Do your research before looking at dogs so you know what breed will suit you. Be cautious of cross breeds as you may not know what size they will grow to.

2) Can you exercise your dog frequently? – If you exercise regularly and have lots of time on your hands, you can consider a puppy with high energy levels. If you will be at work and not have much time for your dog, consider a breed with less energy.

3) Short hair or long hair? – This is a point not many people consider, but a lot of long haired dogs naturally lose a lot of hair. This hair can get everywhere through your home especially into your carpet. Short hair breeds molt less hair and can be easier to groom and keep clean.

4) Children or elderly? – Young children and the elderly can be easily knocked over by large dogs which have a lot of energy. If you have children or older people around, consider a dog with less energy and a small size dog which will be good with your family.

5) Is your property secured? – Some breeds are renowned for escaping whilst others are just curious. Most dogs however need certain provisions to ensure they cannot escape. A minimum 6 foot fence is needed around your home to stop most dogs from escaping. You also need to be able to stop your dog digging under fences and gates as well. Some dog breeds however are notorious for being able to escape and if you have one of these breeds you may need to allow extra provisions around your property to keep them inside.

Please consider these 5 points before you go shopping for a puppy. So many people go out and only look at these points once they have already bought their dog, but you should really examine these points before you even go looking at any puppies for sale.