Find the Mystery Pet on Petango.com and help feed homeless pets...and your own!

Not sure how to play?  Below is an example from last week. Read the instructions and find this week’s clues at the bottom of this article!

1) The Native name given to my home actually means "Children of the Sun." 

2) We may not be the most popular pets right now, but I for one, am fabulous! 

3)  I share my name with a famous TV actress currently caught between two vampy guys.  

 Who am I? Find me and you can help feed me!

(NOTE: This is an example from LAST WEEK. Answers are below. For this week's Mystery Pet CLUES scroll to the bottom of this post!) 

Petango.com is asking pet lovers to “Find a Pet, Feed a Pet” for the opportunity to win FREE pet food for their pets AND adoptable pets in animal shelters.  Find the “Mystery” Pet from a set of clues, be the first to post it on the Petango.com fan page on Facebook, and win FREE pet food of your choice from ThePetangoStore.com for your pets and the animal shelter where our Mystery Pet resides!

Here's how it works:

1)  Once or twice a week on a random day of our choosing we will select one pet currently available for adoption on Petango.com to be our Mystery Pet.

2)  We will deliver three clues about our Mystery Pet on our Blog, Facebook, and Twitter.

3)  The first person to discover our Mystery Pet will win any pet food item from the Pet Food Shop at ThePetangoStore.com AND a free bag of pet food for the animal shelter where our chosen pet is housed.

4)  No winner? Every hour after the first hour we will provide an additional clue until someone figures it out!

Sound like a plan? This is how you play:

1)  Become a fan of Petango.com on Facebook.

2)  Watch for our THREE clues posted on our Blog, Facebook, and Twitter (@petangopets).

3)  Using your best detective skills, search adoptable pets on Petango.com for our Mystery Pet.

4)  Think you got it? Post the link to the profile of your guess on our Facebook wall OR as a comment in the Find a Pet post… but choose carefully! You only get three guesses.

5)  First person to correctly guess the Mystery Pet AND post his or her profile on the Petango.com Facebook fan page WINS!

Here are the answers to our example at the top:

1) The Native name given to my home actually means "Children of the Sun." "Spokane" is named after a Native American tribe bearing the same name.  It is Salish for "Children of the Sun."

2) We may not be the most popular pets right now, but I for one, am fabulous! Pit Bulls may not be the most popular pets right now, but Bully-breed lovers around the world know these dogs are intelligent, loyal, and affectionate!

3) I share my name with a famous TV actress currently caught between two vampy guys. Our Mystery Pet, Nina, shares her name with Nina Dobrev, the famous TV actress in The Vampire Diaries.

Last week's Mystery Pet was Nina, a sweet American Pit Bull Terrier at the Spokane Humane Society.  Nina has since been adopted!

Our past two Mystery Pets, Dixie, a Beagle mix at the Humane Society of Catawba County and Elle Driver, a black Domestic Short Hair cat at Prairie's Edge Humane Society, are both still waiting for loving homes.

Ready for the REAL THING?

Here are your first three clues to this week's Mystery Pet!

1) The place where I live was founded on gold and originally named after a Frenchman. Weld County was originally named St. Vrain County after a French trader--even before Colorado was officially recognized as a state!  The discovery of GOLD in the Platte River is what drove this recognition.

2) Curiosity hasn’t got the better of me yet! Our Mystery Pet is a particularly curious feline!

3) I come in many shades and often when you least expect it…at least that's what my name suggests! "Blush" comes in many shades...and I for one am always blushing when least expected!

Who am I? Find me and you can help feed me! Congratulations to Alexandra Wright for finding out Mystery Pet!  You can visit Blush at the Weld County Humane Society where she is anxiously awaiting a forever home...

Miss out this week?  Not to worry! We'll be back next week with MORE Mystery Pets and another chance to win!

Find the Mystery Pet on Petango.com and help feed homeless pets... and your own!

Not sure how to play?  Below is an example from last week. Read the instructions and find this weeks' clues at the bottom of this article!

1) The city I live in was originally named after a tavern (named after a tree) and has been named an "All-American City" THREE times since the 60s.

2) I may not share the traditional coloring associated with my breed, but I can follow my nose with the best of them!

3) I share my name an entire region of the United States... and cups.

 Who am I? Find me and you can help feed me!

(NOTE: This is an example from LAST WEEK. Answers are below. For this week's Mystery Pet CLUES scroll to the bottom of this post!) 

Petango.com is asking pet lovers to “Find a Pet, Feed a Pet” for the opportunity to win FREE pet food for their pets AND adoptable pets in animal shelters.  Find the “Mystery” Pet from a set of clues, be the first to post it on the Petango.com fan page on Facebook, and win FREE pet food of your choice from ThePetangoStore.com for your pets and the animal shelter where our Mystery Pet resides!

This is how it works:

1)  Once or twice a week on a random day of our choosing we will select one pet currently available for adoption on Petango.com to be our Mystery Pet.

2)  We will deliver three clues about our Mystery Pet on our Blog, Facebook, and Twitter.

3)  The first person to discover our Mystery Pet will win any pet food item from the Pet Food Shop at ThePetangoStore.com AND a free bag of pet food for the animal shelter where our chosen pet is housed.

4)  No winner? Every hour after the first hour we will provide an additional clue until someone figures it out!

Sound like a plan? This is how you play:

1)  Become a fan of Petango.com on Facebook.

2)  Watch for our THREE clues posted on our Blog, Facebook, and Twitter (@petangopets).

3)  Using your best detective skills, search adoptable pets on Petango.com for our Mystery Pet.

4)  Think you got it? Post the link to the profile of your guess on our Facebook wall OR as a comment in the Find a Pet post… but choose carefully! You only get three guesses.

5)  First person to correctly guess the Mystery Pet AND post his or her profile on the Petango.com Facebook fan page WINS!

Here are the answers to our example at the top:

1) The city I live in was originally named after a tavern (named after a tree) and has been named an "All-American City" THREE times since the 60s. Hickory was named after the "Hickory Tavern" built under a Hickory tree.  It has earned the prestigious honor of "All-American City" three times, a testament to the community building spirit of the city!

2) I may not share the traditional coloring associated with my breed, but I can follow my nose with the best of them! Our Mystery Pet is a Beagle, well known for their single-minded focus when sniffing out something delicious, but she doesn't have the characteristic black, white and red markings.

3) I share my name an entire region of the United States... and cups. "Dixie" refers to the entire Southern region of the United States.. and Dixie cups of course!

Last week's Mystery Pet was Dixie, a Beagle mix still waiting for a home at the Humane Society of Catawba County.  The week before that was Elle Driver, a black Domestic Short Hair cat who is also still waiting for a home at Prairie's Edge Humane Society!

Ready for the real thing?

Here are your first three clues to this week's Mystery Pet!

1) The Native name given to my home actually means "Children of the Sun." "Spokane" is named after a Native American tribe bearing the same name.  It is Salish for "Children of the Sun."

2) We may not be the most popular pets right now, but I for one, am fabulous! Pit Bulls may not be the most popular pets right now, but Bully-breed lovers around the world know these dogs are intelligent, loyal, and affectionate!

3) I share my name with a famous TV actress currently caught between two vampy guys. Our Mystery Pet, Nina, shares her name with Nina Dobrev, the famous TV actress in The Vampire Diaries.

Who am I? Find me and you can help feed me! Congratulations to Lisa Salazar for her SECOND win of Find a Pet, Feed a Pet! Our Myster Pet is Nina, a sweet American Pit Bull Terrier currently available for adoption at the Spokane Humane Society of Spokane, WA.

Miss out this week?  Not to worry! We'll be back next week with MORE Mystery Pets and another chance to win!

Certain grooming tips apply to a variety of dog breeds, but most dogs have certain specific issues requiring more attention than others.  The Maltese is a small, spirited breed first developed in Italy. They make great pets for mature and senior pet owners, people with allergies, and city-dwellers as they are happily active within a house, and actually prefer enclosed spaces.   However, part of being a good dog owner is making sure that your dog is well groomed, and Maltese dogs require a little bit of extra care in that department.  Proper grooming is not only important for aesthetic reasons; a well groomed clean coat is an important aspect of your dog’s health and quality of life.

Coat Care & Mats

Maltese dogs need to be combed or brushed regularly—daily if possible—to avoid matting.  The reason Maltese dogs are considered hypoallergenic is because they have no undercoat.  Instead, they have a single top coat of soft, silky hair that sheds very little with regular brushing.  In the case of a matted coat, try to work out tangles with your fingers before combing to avoid breakage.  Many Maltese dog owners will also keep their dogs coat clipped in a “puppy cut” which requires less grooming.

Bath Time

Regular bathing is one of the essential grooming tips for Maltese dogs.  You'll want to make sure your dog is combed and mat-free first, and place a cotton ball in each ear to soak up excess water and prevent infection.  Use a quality dog shampoo and conditioner and take extra care around the eye area.  Good, thorough rinsing is also important, as any residue could irritate the Maltese's sensitive skin.

Grooming tips for Maltese dogs also designate that he is dried and kept warm after bath time. You can use a towel and your body heat during warmer months, but during the winter you may want to dry him in a room with a space heater or even use a blow dryer.  If you choose the latter, be very careful the temperature is set to warm or medium heat, not hot, and don't let the blow dryer get too close to his coat.  He may be frightened by the noise at first, but many dogs become accustomed to this with time.

Teeth, Toes, Eyes, and Ears

Taking proper care of teeth, toenails, eyes, and ears also fall under important grooming tips for Maltese dogs.  Your Maltese should ideally have his teeth brushed every day, although many owners brush less frequently.  Tooth brushing is best introduced during the puppy stages and becomes progressively more important with age, as older dogs are more likely to have plaque build-up.

The best time to trim toenails is after a bath when the nails are softened.  If you're dealing with a puppy, toenails should be trimmed every week, but older dogs require less frequent trimming. You'll also want to trim the hair in between his toenails every two weeks. Many new dog owners think that toenail trimming is purely an aesthetic issue, but neglected nails can actually lead to footing and movement problems.

As for the eyes, a common characteristic of Maltese dogs is “tear staining” like tear tracks under the eyes.  Tear stain can be removed with a fine toothed comb moistened with warm water gently drawn through the hair where the stains are.  To avoid build up of sticky residue, it’s best to groom this area every two to three days and many veterinarians recommend serving distilled water and avoiding dyes in treats and food to reduce staining.

Lastly, when it comes to grooming tips for Maltese dogs, ear care is of utmost importance.  Because the Maltese is a drop-eared breed with excessively hairy ears, these dogs are prone to ear issues.  In addition to protecting your Maltese's ears during bathing, it's also important that you remove excess hair from the ear canal and clean out excess wax.  Especially dirty or waxy ears can be signs of ear mites, which may warrant a trip to the veterinarian.  To avoid infection or damage to the ear, only clean your Maltese's ears when they are dirty or excessively waxy.  Use cotton balls rather than Q-tips and take care to be gentle.

If you follow these grooming tips for Maltese dogs, your pup will be happy, health and clean. Remember, grooming isn't just about making your Maltese look presentable; regular grooming helps you to detect health problems and prevent future issues, such as gum disease, ear infections and coat problems.  It’s also a great opportunity to bond with your pet!

Find the Mystery Pet on Petango.com and help feed homeless pets--and your own!

Not sure how to play?  Below is an example from last week. Read the instructions and find this weeks' clues at the bottom of this article!

1)  I live in an American town with French-Canadian history in a place that shares it's name with a key sushi ingredient...

2) I'll perform for you as you walk by, so I know I'll catch your eye. Other big wigs were just like me--Sammy Davis Jr., Hannibal, and Colombo makes three!

 3)  I share my name with a famous snake who lost her life to a nameless bride.

4) I'm on the "frontier" of Faribault... and though I think I'm pretty fabulous, it's not uncommon for someone of my particular looks to be completely overlooked! 

Who am I? Find me and you can help feed me!

(NOTE: This is an example from LAST WEEK. Answers are below. For this week's Mystery Pet CLUES scroll to the bottom of this post!) 

Petango.com is asking pet lovers to “Find a Pet, Feed a Pet” for the opportunity to win FREE pet food for their pets AND adoptable pets in animal shelters.  Find the “Mystery” Pet from a set of clues, be the first to post it on the Petango.com fan page on Facebook, and win FREE pet food of your choice from ThePetangoStore.com for your pets and the animal shelter where our Mystery Pet resides!

This is how it works:

1)  Once or twice a week on a random day of our choosing we will select one pet currently available for adoption on Petango.com to be our Mystery Pet.

2)  We will deliver three clues about our Mystery Pet on our Blog, Facebook, and Twitter.

3)  The first person to discover our Mystery Pet will win any pet food item from the Pet Food Shop at ThePetangoStore.com AND a free bag of pet food for the animal shelter where our chosen pet is housed.

4)  No winner? Every hour after the first hour we will provide an additional clue until someone figures it out!

Sound like a plan? This is how you play:

1)  Become a fan of Petango.com on Facebook.

2)  Watch for our THREE clues posted on our Blog, Facebook, and Twitter (@petangopets).

3)  Using your best detective skills, search adoptable pets on Petango.com for our Mystery Pet.

4)  Think you got it? Post the link to the profile of your guess on our Facebook wall OR as a comment in the Find a Pet post… but choose carefully! You only get three guesses.

5)  First person to correctly guess the Mystery Pet AND post his or her profile on the Petango.com Facebook fan page WINS!

Here are the answers to our example at the top:

1)  I live in an American town with French-Canadian history in a place that shares it's name with a key sushi ingredient... Faribault, MN was named after French-Canadian fur trader Alexander Faribault and is in "Rice" County.

2) I'll perform for you as you walk by, so I know I'll catch your eye. Other big wigs were just like me--Sammy Davis Jr., Hannibal, and Colombo makes three! Singer and dancer Sammy Davis Jr., Hannibal of Carthage, and actor Pet Falk who played Lt. Colombo were all missing one eye--like our Mystery Pet who loves to "flirt" and purr at new visitors!

 3)  I share my name with a famous snake who lost her life to a nameless bride. Elle Driver (alias "California Mountain Snake") was a member of the Viper Assassins.  The Bride ultimately got her revenge in Kill Bill.

4) I'm on the "frontier" of Faribault... and though I think I'm pretty fabulous, it's not uncommon for someone of my particular looks to be completely overlooked! Elle Driver is at Prairie's Edge Humane Society and she is a black cat! Black cats (and dogs) are often overlooked for their more colorful counterparts.

Last week's Mystery Pet was Elle Driver, a black Domestic Short Hair cat who is still waiting for a home at Prairie's Edge Humane Society.

Ready for the real thing?

1) The city I live in was originally named after a tavern (named after a tree) and has been named an "All-American City" THREE times since the 60s. Hickory was named after the "Hickory Tavern" built under a Hickory tree.  It has earned the prestigious honor of "All-American City" three times, a testament to the community building spirit of the city!

2) I may not share the traditional coloring associated with my breed, but I can follow my nose with the best of them! Our Mystery Pet is a Beagle, well known for their single-minded focus when sniffing out something delicious, but she doesn't have the characteristic black, white and red markings.

3) I share my name an entire region of the United States... and cups. "Dixie" refers to the entire Southern region of the United States.. and Dixie cups of course!

Who am I? Find me and you can help feed me! Congratulations to Kayleigh for her LIGHTNING FAST win! Sweet Dixie was brought to the Humane Society of Catawba County by a concerned citizen who took her from an abusive family.  She would love a comfortable home with someone who understands that kicking and hitting is no way to treat a dog!

Find the Mystery Pet on Petango.com and help feed homeless pets--and your own!

Not sure how to play?  Below is an example from last week. Read the instructions and find this weeks' clues at the bottom of this article!

1) Once upon a time, a small mouse lived here too, and just like that mouse, I was born a star!

2) I may be fast and love to run, but what I really want is to run right home to you.

3)  I shine brightest when I'm the center of your attention.

4) My ancestors are famous for their incredible endurance, which is commemorated each year from Nenana to Nome.

Who am I? Find me and you can help feed me!

(NOTE: This is an example from LAST WEEK. Answers are below. For this week's Mystery Pet CLUES scroll to the bottom of this post!) 

Petango.com is asking pet lovers to “Find a Pet, Feed a Pet” for the opportunity to win FREE pet food for their pets AND adoptable pets in animal shelters.  Find the “Mystery” Pet from a set of clues, be the first to post it on the Petango.com fan page on Facebook, and win FREE pet food of your choice from ThePetangoStore.com for your pets and the animal shelter where our Mystery Pet resides!

This is how it works:

1)  Once or twice a week on a random day of our choosing we will select one pet currently available for adoption on Petango.com to be our Mystery Pet.

2)  We will deliver three clues about our Mystery Pet on our Blog, Facebook, and Twitter.

3)  The first person to discover our Mystery Pet will win any pet food item from the Pet Food Shop at ThePetangoStore.com AND a free bag of pet food for the animal shelter where our chosen pet is housed.

4)  No winner? Every hour after the first hour we will provide an additional clue until someone figures it out!

Sound like a plan? This is how you play:

1)  Become a fan of Petango.com on Facebook.

2)  Watch for our THREE clues posted on our Blog, Facebook, and Twitter (@petangopets).

3)  Using your best detective skills, search adoptable pets on Petango.com for our Mystery Pet.

4)  Think you got it? Post a link to the profile of your guess on our Facebook wall… but choose carefully! You only get three guesses.

5)  First person to correctly guess the Mystery Pet AND post his or her profile on the Petango.com Facebook fan page WINS!

Here are the answers to our example at the top:

1) Once upon a time, a small mouse lived here too, and just like that mouse, I was born a star!  "Mickey Mouse" was inspired by a real mouse that Walt Disney used to take care of at a studio in Kansas City, MO.

2) I may be fast and love to run, but what I really want is to run right home to you. Our Mystery Pet is an active dog who likes a good run!

 3)  I shine brightest when I'm the center of your attention. "Star" is a single-pet kind of girl--let her take center stage and she'll love you forever!

 4) My ancestors are famous for their incredible endurance, which is commemorated each year from Nenana to Nome. The Iditarod commemorates the infamous race against time from Nenana to Nome to deliver medication they sorely needed.  As a Siberian Husky, this is part of Star's heritage!

Last week's Mystery Pet was Star, a Siberian Husky at Wayside Waifs who has since been adopted.

Ready for the real thing?

Here are your first three clues to this week’s Mystery Pet!

1)  I live in an American town with French-Canadian history in a place that shares it's name with a key sushi ingredient... Faribault, MN was named after French-Canadian fur trader Alexander Faribault and is in "Rice" County.

2) I'll perform for you as you walk by, so I know I'll catch your eye. Other big wigs were just like me--Sammy Davis Jr., Hannibal, and Colombo makes three! Singer and dancer Sammy Davis Jr., Hannibal of Carthage, and actor Pet Falk who played Lt. Colombo were all missing one eye--like our Mystery Pet who loves to "flirt" and purr at new visitors!

 3)  I share my name with a famous snake who lost her life to a nameless bride. Elle Driver (alias "California Mountain Snake") was a member of the Viper Assassins.  The Bride ultimately got her revenge in Kill Bill.

4) I'm on the "frontier" of Faribault... and though I think I'm pretty fabulous, it's not uncommon for someone of my particular looks to be completely overlooked! Elle Driver is at Prairie's Edge Humane Society and she is a black cat! Black cats (and dogs) are often overlooked for their more colorful counterparts.

Visit Elle Driver's profile here!

Who am I? Find me and you can help feed me!  We have a winner! Thanks for playing everyone, and looking forward to our next "Find a Pet, Feed a Pet" coming soon...

Miss out this week? Don't worry! We'll be back with another Mystery Pet and another round of Find a Pet, Feed a Pet trivia next week... or maybe later this week... or maybe tomorrow...so stay tuned!

Find the Mystery Pet on Petango.com and help feed homeless pets--and your own!

Not sure how to play?  Below is an example from last week. Read the instructions and find this week's clues at the bottom of this article!

1) You can find me in the place that used to be Waterloo--we're keeping it weird!

2) Size has nothing to do with the depth of my love and loyalty. 

3) I share my name with singers and footballers, fashioinistas and reality stars, but it suits me better than the rest! 

4) The place where I live is also known as the "Live Music Capital of the World"... my ancestors are descended from the Techichi and I believe in aging gracefully! 

Who am I? Find me and you can help feed me!

(NOTE: This is an example from LAST WEEK. Answers are below. For this week's Mystery Pet CLUES scroll to the bottom of this post!) 

Petango.com is asking pet lovers to “Find a Pet, Feed a Pet” for the opportunity to win FREE pet food for their pets AND adoptable pets in animal shelters.  Find the “Mystery” Pet from a set of clues, be the first to post it on the Petango.com fan page on Facebook, and win FREE pet food of your choice from ThePetangoStore.com for your pets and the animal shelter where our Mystery Pet resides!

This is how it works:

1)  Once or twice a week on a random day of our choosing we will select one pet currently available for adoption on Petango.com to be our Mystery Pet.

2)  We will deliver three clues about our Mystery Pet on our Blog, Facebook, and Twitter.

3)  The first person to discover our Mystery Pet will win any pet food item from the Pet Food Shop at ThePetangoStore.com AND a free bag of pet food for the animal shelter where our chosen pet is housed.

4)  No winner? Every hour after the first hour we will provide an additional clue until someone figures it out!

Sound like a plan? This is how you play:

1)  Become a fan of Petango.com on Facebook.

2)  Watch for our THREE clues posted on our Blog, Facebook, and Twitter (@petangopets).

3)  Using your best detective skills, search adoptable pets on Petango.com for our Mystery Pet.

4)  Think you got it? Post a link to the profile of your guess on our Facebook wall… but choose carefully! You only get three guesses.

5)  First person to correctly guess the Mystery Pet AND post his or her profile on the Petango.com Facebook fan page WINS!

Here are the answers to our example at the top:

1) You can find me in the place that used to be Waterloo--we're keeping it weird! Austin, Texas! Austin was originally settled as Waterloo, and its unofficial slogan is “Keep Austin Weird!”

2) Size has nothing to do with the depth of my love and loyalty. Our Mystery Pet is small of stature and BIG of heart, a characteristic of the tiny Chihuahua.

3) I share my name with singers and footballers, fashioinistas and reality stars, but it suits me better than the rest! Our Mystery Pet is Chiquis! Her name suits her size and breed but is a common Mexican nickname.

**Chiquis has since been adopted!

Ready for the real thing?

Here are your first three clues to this week’s Mystery Pet!

1) Once upon a time, a small mouse lived here too, and just like that mouse, I was born a star!  "Mickey Mouse" was inspired by a real mouse that Walt Disney used to take of at a studio in Kansas City, MO.

2) I may be fast and love to run, but what I really want is to run right home to you. Our Mystery Pet is an active dog who likes a good run!

3)  I shine brightest when I'm the center of your attention. "Star" is a single-pet kind of girl--let her take center stage and she'll love you forever!

4) My ancestors are famous for their incredible endurance, which is commemorated each year from Nenana to Nome. The Iditarod commemorates the infamous race against time from Nenana to Nome to deliver medication they sorely needed.  As a Siberian Husky, this is part of Star's heritage! 

Star is currently waiting for a home at Wayside Waifs.  Visit her profile for more information!

Who am I? Find me and you can help feed me!

Miss out this week? Don't worry! We'll be back with another Mystery Pet and another round of Find a Pet, Feed a Pet trivia next week...or maybe later this week... or maybe the week after... so stay tuned!

Find the Mystery Pet on Petango.com and help feed homeless pets--and your own!

Not sure how to play?  Below is an example from last week. Read the instructions and find this weeks' clues at the bottom of this article!

 1)  You can find me in the "Sparkle City."

 2)  I've got the luck of the Irish.  It's in my blood!

 3)  I share my name with a handsome Irish fellow who "battled demons" after his run in with Keyser Soze..

Who am I? Find me and you can help feed me!

(NOTE: This is an example from LAST WEEK. Answers are below. For this week's Mystery Pet CLUES scroll to the bottom of this post!) 

Petango.com is asking pet lovers to “Find a Pet, Feed a Pet” for the opportunity to win FREE pet food for their pets AND adoptable pets in animal shelters.  Find the “Mystery” Pet from a set of clues, be the first to post it on the Petango.com fan page on Facebook, and win FREE pet food of your choice from ThePetangoStore.com for your pets and the animal shelter where our Mystery Pet resides!

This is how it works:

1)  Once or twice a week on a random day of our choosing we will select one pet currently available for adoption on Petango.com to be our Mystery Pet.

2)  We will deliver three clues about our Mystery Pet on our Blog, Facebook, and Twitter.

3)  The first person to discover our Mystery Pet will win any pet food item from the Pet Food Shop at ThePetangoStore.com AND a free bag of pet food for the animal shelter where our chosen pet is housed.

4)  No winner? Every hour after the first hour we will provide an additional clue until someone figures it out!

Sound like a plan? This is how you play:

1)  Become a fan of Petango.com on Facebook.

2)  Watch for our THREE clues posted on our Blog, Facebook, and Twitter (@petangopets).

3)  Using your best detective skills, search adoptable pets on Petango.com for our Mystery Pet.

4)  Think you got it? Post a link to the profile of your guess on our Facebook wall… but choose carefully! You only get three guesses.

5)  First person to correctly guess the Mystery Pet AND post his or her profile on the Petango.com Facebook fan page WINS!

Here are the answers to our example at the top:

1) You can find me in the "Sparkle City".Spartanburg, South Carolina!

2) I've got the luck of the Irish.  It's in my blood! Our Mystery Pet is part Irish Terrier.

3) I share my name with a handsome Irish fellow who "battled demons" after his run in with Keyser Soze. And his name is Gabe! Like Gabriel Byrnes, the Irish actor who had roles in Usual Suspects and Stigmata.

Both Gabe and Tripoli (who was our very first Mystery Pet) have both been adopted!

Ready for the real thing?

Here are your first three clues to this week’s Mystery Pet!

1) You can find me in the place that used to be Waterloo--we're keeping it weird! Austin, TX was originally settled as Waterloo, and its unofficial slogan is "Keep Austin Weird!"

2) Size has nothing to do with the depth of my love and loyalty. Our Mystery Pet is small of stature and BIG of heart, a characteristic of the tiny Chihuahua.

3) I share my name with singers and footballers, fashioinistas and reality stars, but it suits me better than the rest! Our Mystery Pet is Chiquis! Her name suits her size and breed but is a common Mexican nickname.

Who am I? Find me and you can help feed me!

4) The place where I live is also known as the "Live Music Capital of the World"... my ancestors are descended from the Techichi and I believe in aging gracefully! Austin, TX is also the Live Music Capital of the World.  Chihuahuas are descendants of the Techichi and little Chiquis is a sweet senior, with lovely grey whiskers!

We have a WINNER! Congratulations to Lisa for finding our Mystery Pet, Chiquis.

Learn more about Chiquis when you visit her profile! Or swing by Austin Pets Alive! in Austin, TX to meet other great pets waiting for homes.

Miss out this week? Don't worry! We'll be back with another Mystery Pet and another round of Find a Pet, Feed a Pet trivia next week...or maybe later this week... or maybe the week after... so stay tuned!

 Like this post? Show you care with a Tweet or a Share!

Ready for another "Find a Pet, Feed a Pet" trivia giveaway?

Find the “Mystery” Pet on Petango.com and help feed homeless pets—and your own!

Not sure how to play?  Below is an example from last week. Read the instructions and find this weeks' clues at the bottom of this article!

 1)  Officer John McClane would approve of our state motto.

 2)  If I were ice cream you would call me Tiger Tail.

 3)  The first three letters of my name are a clue to something unique about me.

Who am I? Find me and you can help feed me!

(NOTE: This is an example from LAST WEEK. Answers are below. For this week's Mystery Pet CLUES scroll to the bottom of this post!) 

Petango.com is asking pet lovers to “Find a Pet, Feed a Pet” for the opportunity to win FREE pet food for their pets AND adoptable pets in animal shelters.  Find the “Mystery” Pet from a set of clues, be the first to post it on the Petango.com fan page on Facebook, and win FREE pet food of your choice from ThePetangoStore.com for your pets and the animal shelter where our Mystery Pet resides! 

This is how it works: 

1)  Once or twice a week on a random day of our choosing we will select one pet currently available for adoption on Petango.com to be our Mystery Pet.

2)  We will deliver three clues about our Mystery Pet on our Blog, Facebook, and Twitter.

3)  The first person to discover our Mystery Pet will win any pet food item from the Pet Food Shop at ThePetangoStore.com AND a free bag of pet food for the animal shelter where our chosen pet is housed.

4)  No winner? Every hour after the first hour we will provide an additional clue until someone figures it out!

Sound like a plan? This is how you play:

1)  Become a fan of Petango.com on Facebook.

2)  Watch for our THREE clues posted on our Blog, Facebook, and Twitter (@petangopets).

3)  Using your best detective skills, search adoptable pets on Petango.com for our Mystery Pet.

4)  Think you got it? Post a link to the profile of your guess on our Facebook wall… but choose carefully! You only getthree guesses.

5)  First person to correctly guess the Mystery Pet AND post his or her profile on the Petango.com Facebook fan page WINS!

Here are the answers to our example at the top:

1)  Officer John McClane would approve of our state motto.  New Hampshire state motto is "Life Free or Die" similar to Officer John McClane's (a.k.a. Bruce Willis) infamous Die Hard attitude.

 2)  If I were ice cream you would call me Tiger Tail.  Remember black licorice and orange ice cream from decades ago?  That was TigerTail! 

 3)  The first three letters of my name are a clue to something unique about me.  "Tri" means 3 and our Mystery Pet, Tripoli, has 3 legs!

Learn more about Tripoli and watch her video when you follow this link.  She’s still waiting for a home!

Ready for a real round?

Here are your first three clues to this week’s Mystery Pet!

1) You can find me in the "Sparkle City". Spartanburg, South Carolina!

2) I've got the luck of the Irish.  It's in my blood! Our Mystery Pet is part Irish Terrier.

3) I share my name with a handsome Irish fellow who "battled demons" after his run in with Keyser Soze. And his name is Gabe! Like Gabriel Byrnes, the Irish actor who had roles in Usual Suspects and Stigmata.

Who am I? Find me and you can help feed me! I'm Gabe! Congratulations to Mandi for her SUPER FAST trivia win!

Miss out this week? Don't worry! We'll be back with another Mystery Pet and another round of Find a Pet, Feed a Pet trivia next week!

At last, the most celebrated herald of spring has arrived! On this fine Saint Patrick’s Day, people around the world gather in the spirit of all things green, Irish, and foaming at the brim of a pint glass.  But the Emerald Isle has also produced some incredible dogs, including the following world renowned breeds:

Kerry Beagle

The Kerry Beagle is one of the most ancient Irish breeds.  They are extremely active dogs, originally bred as scent hounds for hunting in packs.  They are great with children and other dogs but without frequent exercise, can be destructive.  The breed nearly became extinct during the Irish famine but is believed to have been revived with the addition of the French Braque de l’Ariège.

Irish Terriers

There are four distinct breeds of Terrier originating in Ireland, including the Irish Terrier, the Kerry Blue, the Irish Glen of Imaal, and the Soft-Coated Wheaten.  Origins of the Irish Terrier are unknown, but they are energetic, challenging dogs best suited to experienced dog owners.  They are similar in appearance and temperament to the Kerry Blue Terrier, except for coloring (Irish Terriers have coppery red coats).  Comparatively, the Irish Glen of Imaal is smaller but quite sturdy. They are fiercely loyal, highly intelligent, and respond well to strong leadership.  In size and appearance, the Soft-Coated Wheaten is somewhere in the middle.  All four Terriers were bred as general working dogs, performing a wide range of tasks from herding to hunting and killing vermin.

Irish Wolfhound

Considered the world’s tallest dog breed, Irish Wolfhounds were originally bred for the protection of sheep and hunting of wolves.  They are quiet, easygoing animals that form strong bonds with their families, becoming depressed if left alone for long periods of time.  Despite their great size, Irish Wolfhounds are generally aware of their own strength and therefore excellent with children.  Although they are considered poor guard dogs, the Irish Wolfhound is fiercely loyal in the protection of its family.

Irish Water Spaniel

Despite having a coat of dense curls, these dogs shed very little and require little grooming beyond the occasional trim.  They are retrievers by nature, know to be inquisitive, intelligent, and playful dogs. Irish Water Spaniels can make good family pets for experienced dog owners willing to spend the time to train them.  As their name suggests, they are water-loving dogs that are happiest when they can enjoy a good swim!

Irish Setter

Perhaps the most widely recognized of the Irish dog breeds, Irish Setters are famous for their silky, coppery red coats.  Their Gaelic name, Madra rua even means “red dog”!  Irish Setters make fantastic pets for active families—they are friendly, social dogs requiring constant companionship and ample exercise.  Originally bred for hunting birds, Irish Setters flourish in rural communities where they have room to roam.

No dog owner likes to think about putting a muzzle on their dog but depending on the type of dog you own and where you live, using a dog muzzle may be a necessary part of your pet-owning life.  Breed specific legislation (or “BSL”) in a number of provinces and states across North America mandates certain breeds, or dogs bearing the appearance of a banned breed, are required to wear a muzzle when off private property or out of a secured pen.  BSL aside, individual dogs known to act in a threatening manner toward strangers or other animals can greatly benefit from wearing a muzzle, and with careful selection and appropriate training, it doesn’t have to be the distasteful experience most pet owners associate with dog muzzles.

Choosing the Right Dog Muzzle

The first thing to consider is why you need a dog muzzle.  Has your dog demonstrated aggression in the past?  Are you required by law?  Is it for trips to the veterinarian? Or is your dog a threat to your shoes and furniture?  One reason not to get a dog muzzle is to stop unwanted chewing unless you have exhausted all other alternatives to preventing that kind of behavior.  If you think you need a dog muzzle for chewing, talk to an experienced trainer first!

There are a few different types of dog muzzles but the most recommended and humane is the basket dog muzzle.  At first glance, it may appear threatening and overtly “cage-like” but in actual fact, it is the least likely to restrict movement or irritate the skin, allows for excellent air flow, and doesn’t restrict panting or drinking.

Basket dog muzzles are available in wire and plastic forms.  The wire muzzle is the sturdiest option, best for large dogs or bite prevention.  A plastic basket or cage-type muzzle is more suitable for smaller animals.

Fabric muzzles may look more comfortable but they are actually considered the lesser option.  They are recommended only for short period of time, such as during grooming or uncomfortable veterinary visits and shouldn’t be used during warm weather because they can chafe and prevent panting.  There’s also the risk of it being chewed off.  For a dog required to wear a muzzle during all outings, a fabric muzzle is not recommended.

Once you have selected the type of muzzle you need, the size and fit is important to your dog’s comfort.  Be sure to get a proper measurement of your dog’s snout to ensure a proper fit.

Training to Wear a Muzzle

Perhaps the most difficult task of using a dog muzzle is training both yourself and your dog to accept it.  Dogs are sensitive to the emotions of their owners and any stress you experience when using the muzzle will pass to your dog.  If you are uncomfortable, the best thing to do is speak to an experienced trainer who can help you both overcome your uneasiness.

As always, associating the muzzle with positive experiences will help.  You will likely need to start with short periods of wear and gradually lengthen them based on your dog’s comfort level.  Ample praise can go a long way toward teaching your dog that the muzzle is not a form of punishment.

Experts agree dog muzzles can help prevent certain behavior but they are not a solution to stop it for good.  If your motivation for using a dog muzzle is behavioral, try to understand the root of the problem and explore long-term solutions through training.  Regardless of how you feel about dog muzzles, remember they can be useful tools not only to shield others, but also to shield your dog from the consequences of a bad situation.