Advice for Pet owners

Buddhists believe that animals are also sentient beings. Our belief is that all life forms are sacred. Animals may have very different minds from humans but they are just as capable of suffering and can experience many other feelings

Lama Zopa advises pet owners to not only give their pets creature comforts, but expose them to holy objects, recite prayers to them, leave teachings and mantras playing on CD players when you go out and also to bless their food.
Animals appear to live entirely in the moment. They have a limited memory of the past and don't seem to spend much time pondering future. To animals only the now is important, such as the love that surrounds them or the pleasure in a meal.

Link to Lama Zopa's pet advice page http://www.lamayeshe.com/lamazopa/advicebook/practice/animals.shtml

Some Buddhist Names for your pets:
Anzan : quiet mountain
Banko : everlasting
Butsugen : Buddha eye
Butsuju : Buddha-life, Buddha-age
Daiji : great compassion
Eshin : understanding mind
Gensho : original blessings
Hakuyu : unknown
Joko : pure fragrance, quiet lake
Kodo : the way of light
Kogen : wild, untamed source
Muji : ground mist
Ryoko : unknown
Shindo : new way
Taido : gentle way
Zenkei : inconceivable joy