This the the most recent addition to my online gallery. This was a commissioned piece.

* Always have a shaded area for your pets to retreat to. This can be a dog house, igloo, overhang from the house, or a cooled garage.

* Keep plenty of water available. This is a must!!! Animals can't live without water, and during the summer months their water bowls can dry up quickly from evaporation. Many pet companies now sell special outdoor water bowls that can be attached to your hose to ensure a fresh water supply all day 7 days a week.

* Grooming your pet. Most animals will shed naturally, but if you have a long-haired dog or cat, it can take awhile for them to shed out their undercoats. There are several brands of specialty de-sheding combs that remove loose hair. This is also great if your pet frequently comes indoors. This way they won't shed all over the house.

* Check your pets food. Many times during the summer, bugs and other insects change their habitats as well. Ever get Ants during the summer? Make sure your pets food is not overcome with bugs, insects or any type of harmful bacteria. Make sure your pet has fresh food every day. Even if they don't all their food, it's best to throw out the left overs. Even small flies and other invisible bacteria can start to develop very quickly. You wouldn't eat left over, day old food if it was sitting out all day would you? Especially not if it was sitting outside for a whole day!

* Love your pet. Loving your pet means keeping it healthy. Not only diet but exercise too. If you don't have much of a yard for your animals to roam around in, take them to the local park or beach if you can. Some beaches restrict pets, so just do your research about local and state beaches before going. If you are going to a local park, again, make sure your pet has a water source and a place to cool down. It's great fun to play with your pets at the park, but keep them safe too. Keep them at a safe distance from other Pets and small children, unless you know them or have your pet on a restraint such as a lease or harness. Just be courteous.

How to Pay Less for Pet Supplies

Anyone who has owned a pet knows that buying pet supplies can become an extremely expensive endeavor.  Pet needs are almost always underestimated until you actually have the animal living in your home, and you quickly realize that the animal needs proper bedding, toys, a carrier, leash, outdoor containment, grooming tools, as well as medicine and food. Properly taking care of your pet shouldn't have to cost a fortune.

The resources below will help you find pet supplies, medicine, and food that will cost far less than the retail prices you'll find at any grocery or department store.

Coupons for Pet Supplies

One of the first places to look for significant savings on pet supplies is through using coupons.  Coupons can provide some significant savings on supplies, sometimes up to or greater than 50%.  Various outlets, such as PetSmart, even offer free shopping for orders over a certain size.  This means that by simply doing your pet supply shopping online, you are saving a fortune.

One of the best coupon providers with the most coupons for pet supplies is Coupon Mountain (http://www.couponmountain.com/Pet_Supplies.html?source=Inktomi_PetSupplies), with coupons for pet supplies, pet medications, and online deals for most of the major pet supply retailers.  A few examples of the deals to be found at Coupon Mountain:

• $5 to $20 off K9 Advantix at 1-800-PetMeds


• Get $15 off orders of $75 or more at PetCo


• 15% off orders over $40 at PETsMART


• 10% off any order at DogToys.com


• 15% off orders over $100 at PetCareRx


• 15% off Lambert Kay Pet Care products

This is only a very small sample of the long list of coupons and deals provided at Coupon Mountain.

Direct Pet Superstore

Direct Pet Superstore (http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_pet.html?ccd=INK010&utm_source=Inktomi_CLP&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=) is a large discount retailer of everything you could possibly need for your pet.  This includes toys, treats, grooming supplies, flea & tick management, medicines, and even an entire section with additional coupons and promotions.

Direct Pet has an entire section dedicated to saving money on your pet's prescriptions called "Pet RX".   You can find medicine from Pfizer, Virbac, Boehringer Ingelheim, and other pharmalogicals at impressively competitive prices. 

Other ways to save at Direct Pet Superstore:

• Sign up and you will be notified of exclusive specials on new products and sale prices for existing products.


• A current promotion is a $100 shopping spree for five lucky winners.


• Request a free catalog


• Discounts on supplies and medicine throughout the website

My Pet Outlet

MyPetOutlet.com (http://www.mypetoutlet.com/store_catalog/pet_supplies/) is a fantastic discount pet supply website with multiple deals going on every month.  A few examples from the main page include Dr Noys Swizzle Teaser for 15% off, a Merrick Meaty Beef Dog Bone at 25% off, and Kitty Hoots "Zoom" Organic cat nip at 20% off. 

Categories at MyPetOutlet.com include supplies fro dogs, cats, birds, fish, and even reptiles and small animals.  There's even a clearance section where you can find some rock bottom prices.  This week MyPetOutlet.com is offering 15% off every order over 50, as well as a free toy and free shipping.  With prices this low, it doesn't make sense to walk into a retail pet store anymore - shopping online saves so much more.

Pet Portraits, Send 5% Savings to an Animal Rescue Foundation

One of the most unique things you can do to capture the character of your pet, and to show people how much love you have for your furry friend, is to have a pet portrait done by a professional artist.  Pet portraits are ideal because they can be done from a photo (as apposed to getting the pet to "pose" at a studio.) 

PetCo

Of course, another way to save a fortune off of pet supplies that you wouldn't normally save if you simply visit a brick-and-mortar store, is to visit that store's website.  Petco (http://www.petco.com/Content/HomePage.aspx?PC=home&Nav=1&=) also has a comprehensive online website where shoppers can shop virtually for all pet supplies.  Petco provides internet only discounts to internet shoppers, such as free shopping, some of the lowest prices available anywhere for Frontline products, and each category (dogs, cats, fish, etc.) has a section devoted to sales, where you can find some impressive discounts off all kinds of pet products.