The Shelter Pet Project, a collaboration between The Humane Society, The Ad Council, and Maddie’s Fund, has put together a site full of resources to help you find a new friend at your local animal shelter. Check it out!
Do you have a shelter pet? Tell us about your furry friend in the comments.
Previously, I posted about how I use old blankets as dog beds, instead of going out and buying fancy new ones. I upgraded recently, by making simple covers, and it’s made a big difference. Read more…
If you’re a dog owner, you know all about the unspeakable things dogs attempt to track through the house. Stella throws herself a little party every time she finds a good smelly spot in the yard. And when she’s done rolling around in the grass, she comes running into the house, ready to take a nap on the couch. That’s why I’m in love with Earth Friendly Products Pre-Moistened Pet Wipes. When I don’t have time to hose them down, and it’s too gross to use a washcloth, Pet Wipes become my very best friend. And even though they’re small, one wipe usually gets the job done. Read more…
I get lots of questions about dog waste disposal. Dog waste can carry a wide range of bacteria and parasites. Leaving it where it lies isn’t an option, but what should we do with it?
According to the Snohomish County Public Works: Surface Water Management Program the easiest, safest way to deal with dog waste is to tie it up in a plastic bag and throw it in the trash. It sounds counter intuitive, but waste management systems are better able to deal with dog waste in a way that protects our waterways. Read more…
Stella and Argo play rough. They roll around in the grass and slobber all over each other, and, in general, they stink. But both of them have sensitive skin, and giving them a bath usually gives them a mean case of the itchies. And, of course, I’m as concerned about the products I use on them as I am with the ones I use myself. So when Christin from Green4YourSoul.com contacted me to see if I wanted test out an organic dog shampoo, I was really excited.
We have the worst lawn in the neighborhood. Although, I suppose that depends on what your version of bad is. Our lawn is full of clovers, dandelions, and plants that are green, but not necessarily grass. We have a few bald spots. But when the dogs run outside and roll around in the grass first thing in the morning, it’s safe. They aren’t coating themselves in chemicals, that they will ingest when they lick themselves, and they aren’t bringing those chemicals into the house on their fur to rub off on furniture and people, because we don’t spray our lawn with herbicides and pesticides and fertilizer.
Unfortunately, everyone else in our neighborhood does. The lawn chemical company trucks seem to be a permanent fixture in our neighborhood. Just as soon as the little yellow lawn tags come down at one house, they go up at another. And no one ever seems to bother sweeping those little yellow, white, and blue pellets off the sidewalk. So we end up walking through them when we take our walks. Read more…
Of course, when I heard about the peanut butter recalls, before I did a mental review of the food we’d been eating, I thought about the two new packages of peanut butter flavor dog treats I’d recently purchased. Now, I don’t even know if salmonella can be an issue for dogs, but I didn’t want to take any chances.
Luckily, the products I purchased came from wonderful companies who purchase quality ingredients and take the time to respond to customer questions.
Yesterday, I e-mailed Zukes and Newmans Own Organics and both responded within the hour.
I have to say that we’ve tried a lot of new dog products this year. Like Argo, our new friend, Stella, comes with a sensitive stomach and itchy skin – typical German Shepherd issues, so we avoid corn and wheat and try new foods and treats with caution. So when we find something that works, we stick with it. In that vein, last year’s pet favorites are still this year’s.
I’m constantly on the search for the best pet food I can find/afford, and after reading ingredient lists, reviews, recall reports and customer testimonials, I’ve decided that Newman’s Own Organics is still the best for our dogs and cat. I supplement the dog food with home-cooked turkey, rice, squash, and other dog-safe veggies when possible.
Stella approves of Sam’s Yams as well, and they are my favorite dog pacifier. When they’re busy chewing on a dried sweet potato, they are such good, quiet dogs. And we got her an EarthDog Hemp Martingale collar too. Her’s is the Astrid pattern, and it’s really cute.
But of the new pet products we’ve tried, here are my favorites: Read more…
My dog has an ear infection and is on antibiotics again. Unfortunately, antibiotics upset his stomach and turn him into a stinky dog who needs to spend lots of time outside. For this week’s Works for Me Wednesday, here’s a trick the vet taught me that has helped a lot.
For a lot of kids, going back to school means riding the bus. In some neighborhoods, the school bus stops at every single child’s house, where it idles and waits for the child to collect her things, say goodbye to mom, pet the dog, smell some flowers, and skip (at a leisurely pace) over to get on the bus. Not only is the bus idling the entire time, but so is every car behind the bus.
If this happens in your neighborhood, talk to the bus company and to other parents in the neighborhood. Set up a common school bus pick up spot at the end of your street or someone’s driveway. A little conversation can make a big difference.
