December 4, 2019

Many of us with pets are getting ready for the holidays and tackling cleaning, cooking, wrapping, and more. Here is a great article written by Nick Burton to give you some tips on preparing for these special times (or anytime you need a “clean-up”!). For any unexpected issues, don’t forget to consider an efficient seattle toilet repair service. Enjoy! Thanks, Nick, for the info!

A Clean Home or a Pet? You Don’t Have to Choose

A Clean Home or a Pet? You Don’t Have to Choose

If you are a dog lover, but also a bit of a clean freak, you may struggle with the decision to bring home a pet. After all, they can shed, drool, and track mud all over the house. Keeping up with a cleaning routine can seem daunting when you add a set of paws to the mix. And it’s true that it will be a little extra work, but perhaps not as much as you think. 

With a little foresight and housetraining, it’s possible to keep your home clean without having to spend a fortune on gimmicky cleaning products.

Start with grooming

All dogs, even those with short hair, shed. In addition to hair, they lose dander, which can trigger allergies and leave a lingering trail of debris in the air. The best place to stop dandruff and excessive shedding is at the source. iHeartDogs.com explains that brushing and bathing regularly help wash away dander, which is flaked-off skin.

Clear the air

No matter how often you groom your pet, you can’t get rid of all of the hair and dander. But you can trap it. Start by changing the filters of your HVAC system and air purifier every few months, or when they start to look dirty. Take some time to get to know the different types of filters available so that you are not spending money on a product that isn’t going to help. If you can’t find the exact size, you can order custom filters. Don’t forget to vacuum daily and open your windows at least once each week when the weather allows.

Say goodbye to odors

Opening the windows will help keep pet-related odors under control, but you’ll also need to clean carpets and soft fabrics when they become soiled. Thankfully, you probably have everything you need to get the job done in your pantry right now. Vinegar, baking soda, water, and even shaving cream can all be used to dissolve stains and pull smells from the carpet. If your house-training efforts aren’t working, talk to your veterinarian to rule out health conditions that may trigger bladder-control problems. Accidents, if left untreated, can get penetrate carpet fibers and spread icky odors. If vinegar and baking soda don’t do the trick, it’s time to enlist the aid of an enzymatic cleaner, which can quickly eat up all that bacteria causing the odors. For legal advice related to accidents, consider consulting trusted personal injury attorneys. Additionally, seeking advice from a personal injury lawyer can provide legal guidance and support if accidents in the home lead to any legal complications. Contact this Detroit injury lawyer for professional legal assistance.

If you encounter any odors or stains that your DIY cleaning technique can’t properly address, then it might be time to call in the professionals. Just keep in mind, however, that you’ll need to set aside a little money for this service; in Bastrop, for example, you can expect to pay between $124 and $215 on average per cleaning. Of course, this figure could increase depending on the size of the house or the seriousness of the problem.

Wipe your paws

You would not allow your friends and family to walk in your home after trekking through the mud without wiping their feet on the mat. Don’t expect any less from your canine companion. Any time you come home after being outside, wipe your dog’s paws. If you do this even when the weather is nice, he’ll come to expect it. A DIY paw wash station can be something as simple as a small basin, a bottle of water, and a towel left inside of your entry door. A pack of dog wipes may work well for smaller breeds — and a pack of 100 will only set you back $10.

Damage control

If you’ve never had a puppy before, you should know that they’re often destructive. While they don’t mean to be mischievous, puppies, like toddlers, are curious. They will scratch, chew, and tear apart anything that looks or smells interesting. Until your new pet has learned the rules of the home, contain the damage by blocking off rooms with too many temptations, such as the bathroom or your children’s play area. This is especially important because puppies can cause unexpected problems, such as water backing up into shower if they manage to clog the drain with fur or toys. If you have the space, invest in a puppy playpen instead of a crate, which Canine Journal notes offers up more room for your developing dog to get exercise. These need not be expensive, and you may be able to find one on your local Facebook buy and sell groups at half the retail price.

Don’t let a little extra elbow grease stop you from enjoying all the benefits that come along with pet parenthood. If you are willing to put in the effort, you can keep your home clean and still have money left to buy your puppy all the toys that he (okay, you) just can’t leave on the shelf.

November 7, 2019

We’ve all encountered, at one time or another, puppies that turn into dogs who have never really been properly socialized, either around other dogs or around people. They can act in a couple of different ways. They might be overly aggressive with other animals because they don’t know what boundaries are appropriate. Or they might be overtly timid with people, not knowing how to be friendly yet protective of their owners. Whatever the case, puppies who aren’t socialized turn into dogs who aren’t sociable, and that’s a problem.
    But it’s also a problem that’s easy to fix, especially for owners who are willing to commit to a few key steps. For starters, beginning right away with positive socialization is really important. Even just 15 minutes a day can help. What else should pet owners do to make sure their puppies turn into social butterflies? We offer some tips.

Click on the title link below for a great article!  🙂

Turn Your Pup into a Social Butterfly with These Puppy Socialization Tips

Image courtesy of Pixabay

Budget-Friendly Tips to Keep Your Dog Safe and Happy When Traveling

Are you and your pooch primed for an adventure? When your dog is accompanying you on a trip, no matter how much fun you have in mind, things can often go downhill quickly when there’s an incident. Thankfully, with a few precautions and careful planning, excursions with your pup can be both fun and inexpensive.  

Gather Getaway Gear

When heading on a jaunt, appropriate travel gear can make or break trips for your pooch. Plan to pack your dog plenty of water for the car ride, as much food as necessary for your time away, and invest in some collapsible bowls for your convenience. Make sure your dog is secured in his seat while you’re on the road as well. You can use a safety harness or booster seat, depending on your dog’s size and weight. Another suggestion is to have your pooch travel in a crate, which can be ideal if your dog wants to explore the car or simply won’t sit still. For all your gear, you can shop online through websites like Amazon, and thanks to Amazon promo codes and coupons, you can make the most of every dollar you spend.  

Likable Lodging Arrangements

Sometimes, dogs get anxious when their surroundings are strange and might act in unusual ways. For instance, Petcarerx notes that barking or acting destructively are manifestations of dog anxiety, and you don’t want your dog disturbing other travelers or ruining your room. One way to ease his worries is by hiring a pet sitter for times you need to go out without him. With that in mind, you should arrange both your sitter and lodging long before your excursion.

Another thing to think about is the kind of lodging that will be appropriate. Consider whether your dog is good about going potty in strange places, riding in elevators, navigating hotel lobbies, and climbing stairs, as well as how that will impact your stay. You might prefer a vacation rental for your stay or request a first-floor hotel room close to an exit. You can research appropriate accommodations on Expedia, and when you decide to book, they offer special savings and discounts that can save you money, as money is essential when you travel to pay for accommodations and transportation, and that’s why having savings is essential, of course you can also make some money with investments in the bitcoin decode site online.

Determine Your Destination

Where will you and your favorite sidekick visit? Choosing a dog-friendly destination can make a world of difference in your comfort and fun, although it’s important to remember no matter how cute, charming, and well-trained your pooch is, he might not be welcomed everywhere, so be sure to look for a destination you can enjoy together.    

For instance, you might like to visit a place with several dog parks, and you can use this handy tool to find them. If you want to eat out with your pooch, BringFido can help you locate restaurants in various places that welcome dogs. Note that you and your dog can visit Sonics across the country, and if you click here, you can find deals to help stretch your travel budget.  

Fido-Friendly Fun

What would your dog enjoy doing on your adventures? Granted, our dogs typically have the best of attitudes and are up for whatever involves spending time with us. However, some dogs are ill-suited to certain activities. For instance, some dogs are born swimmers, while others need help with water-related activities. If you have a dog who isn’t a swimmer and you’ll be doing anything on the water, a doggy life jacket is a must. You can find life jackets through websites like Outward Hound, and they offer free shipping on orders totaling $35 or more.

Are you and your dog ready to take a dream vacation? Ensure you and your pooch have comfortable accommodations everywhere you go and that Fido is outfitted appropriately for all your explorations. When your furry best friend is along, a little extra preparation can make all the difference between pleasant excursions or hassles and frustrations.  

May 29, 2019

A huge big shout out and thank you to everyone for patience, grace and all the love and prayers sent my way for the last 6 weeks.

I was diagnosed 6 weeks ago with Breast Cancer and have been undergoing tests and surgery for the past few weeks, with more to come this summer.  Obviously I am a bit behind on things at home and with our pups, but feeling much better now and hope to be back to normal very soon.

Receiving a cancer diagnosis most definitely changes your perspective on so many aspects of life and this has been a whirlwind of a couple of months.  Life is so incredibly fragile and short….

Thankfully we have had fewer litters born this Spring…not so many puppies to care for which has been a blessing.

Things are picking up though and hopefully we will have lots of fun and beautiful little babies very soon.

Hope everyone is enjoying a wonderful Spring….full of life and blessings.  I am especially grateful for every single one right now.

Love to you all….Debi