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. 

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

November 4, 2018

I have to say this Fall has been spectacular….not in color really, as we are lucky here in Texas to get a few yellow leaves before everything goes bare, but the weather….oh my….I envy you who get this nice cool breeze and beautiful blue skies more than a few times a year…..makes me want to be outside ALL the time!  So many interesting and wonderful things to see.  Just this week I have seen two “kite” birds in our forest which I have never seen in this area before ….a new species of butterfly …a brand new fall wildflower I have never seen, the largest acorn and the largest pecan I have ever seen on our property (probably due to the large amount of rain) and a brand new baby chick…so fun!!

This is my favorite time of the year as I am sure it is for most of us.  Especially November.  This year will be more difficult for me as I lost my younger brother this year to cancer and it will never be the same without him.  But life continues to go on all around us and I will choose and purpose to capture every moment, as I know he wanted of us….”never take a moment for granted” as he told me….and “live today like you have no tomorrow”.  I will try to do that brother….but will do it with you in my heart.

Our poms are so enjoying this weather too….basking in the sun with the cool breeze blowing their fur….lazy if you ask me!  🙂

It will be a busy Fall for us as we have a litter due in November and more coming in December.  These pups will not be available before Christmas, but they will definitely be available for deposit and I think they will go fast with the holidays upon us.

I wish you all a marvelous week and hope you are seizing the day.