TIPS FOR AIR TRAVEL WITH PETS

If you plan to take your pet with you on a trip and you're traveling by airplane, a lot of consideration and careful planning is needed.  I'd like to talk specifically about those pet travel requirements that are particularly troublesome and can potentially ruin your trip. 

There are two ways to travel with your pet by air; either bring your pet on board with you or check them as cargo, where they fly in the belly of the plane.  Each airline has it's own set of rules for pets and if you don't familiarize yourself with the rules of your chosen airline it can be disastrous. (Note: this post applies to companion pets, not certified service animals)




Phoebe in her Sherpa carrier, ready to travel!

Black and White Sunday: Historic Cemetery

I hope this doesn't seem macabre to anyone, but this photo was taken in the historic cemetery near our family home in Huntington, Long Island New York.



These two grave markers in the historic cemetery are made of metal instead of stone

The cemetery sits on top of the hill on the street where our family home is.  It's very cool to see graves that bear family members' names that are the same as the name of our street! 

There are families buried here whose names are steeped in both history and scandal.  One such family is associated with a horrifying murder that made national news in 1872.   Kind of creepy, huh? 

Have you ever visited a historic cemetery?  Leave us a comment and tell us where, we love to hear from you!

THIS IS THE BLACK AND WHITE SUNDAY BLOG HOP!!

How Will Your Pet React In An Emergency?

In an earlier post I talked about why FEMA, the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency, cares about the safety of pets and other animals.  In this post I want to talk about another aspect of emergency and disaster events that people don't always consider; how a disaster or emergency situation such as a severe hurricane, flood, tornado, etc. can effect their pets both during and after the incident.  I mean beyond needing the items in your first aid or emergency kits.  I'm talking about unexpected risks to your pet and unexpected emotional and behavioral issues that may appear during and after an incident.



Hold on to your collar guys, I'm sensing Big trouble!

It's one thing for your pet to be frightened during fireworks or a thunderstorm and hide in the closet.  It's quite another for your pet to be in the throws of chaos and panic during a hurricane, flood, tornado, earthquake or other emergency situation.  In a true emergency situation your pets are not only frightened themselves but they can sense that you are frightened, even panicked, as well.  They can sense that something very bad is going on and they may not behave the way you expect.

Chain Link Puppy Love

COOPER, MY COOPER, WHERE FOR ART THOU COOPER, MY LOVE!?  I CALL TO THEE.... WOO!!  WOO!!  COME MEET ME AT OUR SPECIAL PLACE ALONG THE CHAIN LINK FENCE!

OH ISIS, MY GODDESS, MY LOVE!  YOUR BLUE EYES ARE LIKE LIPID POOLS OF WATER!

I HAVE BROUGHT A GIFT FOR THEE 

ALTHOUGH NO GIFT CAN BE WORTHY OF THEE, MY LOVE!

ISIS, MY BLUE EYED GODDESS, HOW I LOVE THEE. YOU PIERCE MY SOUL!

COOPER, MY LOVE, YOU SHALL BE IN MY DREAMS EACH NIGHT UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN AT OUR SPECIAL PLACE, ALONG THE CHAIN LINK FENCE.  *SWOON*


Does your dog have a lover?  Leave us a comment and tell us about their rendezvous, secret or otherwise!  We love hearing from our friends!


THIS IS THE BLOGPAWS WORDLESS WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP!!

Why FEMA Cares About Pet Safety In Emergencies

FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the U.S., has the responsibility of assisting local governments in mitigating risk, and recovering from large scale disasters and emergencies.  So why should they care about our pets, or any other animals, in the event of a disaster?

First, let’s talk about what constitutes a “Disaster” or “Emergency” that warrants FEMA’s attention and involvement.  

Pets and Wildlife have a role in disasters and emergencies

Disasters that get FEMA's attention may occur in the form of:

⇒ Natural disasters such as wildfires, hurricanes & storms or earthquakes.

⇒ Acts of Terror such as a mass shooting, bombing, or the events of 9/11 in New York in 2001.

⇒ Technological or Industrial disasters such as a large scale chemical contamination, factory explosion, or a nuclear accident.

With such extreme events that can be catastrophic for humans to worry about, why does FEMA care about the safety of our pets or any other animals? 

I'm glad FEMA cares about me and all the other animals (even those pesky deer) if disaster strikes!

Black and White Sunday: Splendor in the Grass

I LOVE TO BASK IN THE SPLENDOR OF THE GRASS, ESPECIALLY WHEN DADDY LETS IT GET SUPER LONG!

THIS IS THE BLACK AND WHITE SUNDAY BLOG HOP!!!

Chasing Pesky Squirrels

DON'T WORRY MAMA.............

I WILL PROTECT YOU FROM THOSE DANGEROUS SQUIRRELS!!!

THAT'S OK, SQUIRREL.  I GOT ALL DAY.   AAAALLL DAY!

How do your pets protect you from pesky yard vermin?  Leave us a comment, we always love to hear from you!

WW: Dogs Can Help Alzheimer's Patients

JUNE IS ALZHEIMER'S AWARENESS AND BRAIN AWARENESS MONTH

During the month of June, the Alzheimer's Association asks people around the world to take the Purple Pledge, #GOPURPLE, and use their brains to fight Alzheimer's disease!

We have to help Grandma a lot now, because she has Alzheimer's

** Alzheimer's is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States

Grandma doesn't remember a lot of things and people anymore, but she remembers ME and she loves when I come to visit her!

BlogPaws2015: A Mecca For Pet Industry Bloggers!

Whew! I can't believe it's been 2 weeks since we loaded our dogs into the car and drove for 3 days from Phoenix to Nashville for my second BlogPaws conference!

I first discovered BlogPaws totally by accident in 2014. I was searching for pet related conferences on Google and found this thing called BlogPaws.  I thought hmmm, "Blog"..... "Paws", sounds like just what I'm looking for.  I learned they were having a conference in only 3 weeks in Las Vegas - perfect!  When I read about all the speakers I got really excited, especially since Susan Getgood was speaking.  I had just finished her wonderful book, Professional Blogging For Dummies!  I had to go to that conference!

BlogPaws2014, was a wonder.  I couldn't believe so many pet loving people (and their pets!) gathered in one place to network, learn, share information and ideas, and have fun!  I met so many great people, and I can't begin to tell you how much I learned about blogging!  I didn't know how much I didn't know.  I went alone and didn't know anyone or have any idea of what to expect.  I need not have worried, I instantly met people and made friends.  My only problem was wishing there was time to go to every session offered!  As soon as I got home I joined the BlogPaws community and have been learning and making friends ever since.  The connections I made and the things I learned did wonders for my blog; my numbers shot up and months later I got my first sponsored (paid) post!

Fast forward to 2015.  I couldn't wait for my second BlogPaws conference!  This time I brought along my husband and our two dogs!  It was so great having them with me. 


Standing in front of banners for Mars Petcare and DENTASTIX with my dogs Icy and Phoebe, in the conference exhibit hall.  They had lots of fun meeting our sponsors!

BlogPaws2015:Discovering New Products

We are having lots of fun trying out all the great new products we were given by our wonderful sponsors at the BlogPaws2015 conference in Nashville! 

Check out this video and tell me if you think my dogs liked the VitaBone biscuits they tried for the first time!

At first Phoebe was a little weirded out by the VitaBone guy, but after awhile I think she really took a liking to him!

One of the more interesting products we were given was the WOOFPOUF, a flea and tick bath pouf!  I've never seen anything like this before and I'm anxious to try it at our next bath time.  It has a distinct scent, which smells like citronella combined with herbs.

I wonder which one of us will get this flea & tick sponge bath first, me or Phoebe??

The WOOFPOUF flea and tick pouf

Check out my first BlogPaws2015 conference post here.

Wordless Wednesday: BlogPaws2015 Highlights

I can hardly believe it's been over a week since the BlogPaws2015 conference in Nashville!  We had a great time networking with so many blogger friends, meeting the sponsors, and getting some great Swag!  Here are just a few highlights from the conference. 

Everything at BlogPaws2015 was fun and welcoming!

I love bags, all kinds of bags!  My favorite BlogPaws2015 swag bags were:

** The bag given to attendees by our fabulous conference sponsor MarsPetcare, filled with Pedigree food and treats, and a beautiful Eukanuba portable water bowl!

** The bag we received from Vitabone filled with their delicious treats!

** And of course the BlogPaws2015 conference bag filled with all kinds of goodies!

My favorite Swag Bags from BlogPaws2015

Thank You to the BlogPaws team for another great conference!  And thanks to all the conference sponsors, we are having so much fun trying out all the wonderful products you've given us!

Phoebe says: BlogPaws conferences are always Swagalicious and Swagtastic!!

In later posts I'll be talking more about the workshops and 1 to 1 sessions with the BlogPaws Team!

Take Your Dog Out To The BALL GAME!

What's more American than baseball, hot dogs & apple pie?  Taking your family to a baseball game in Summer is a great activity, but why exclude the family dog from the fun?  With Bark In The Park events cropping up all over the country, you can bring your dog along!  We loved taking Icy out to one of the dog friendly Diamondbacks games in Arizona.



I am so ready for the game!  Dad and I have been practicing.

STOOL SOFTENERS SAFE FOR DOGS

My dog Phoebe was having some trouble doing her business, specifically pooping.  She seemed to be straining and having some pain while doing it.  Afterwards she was licking the area excessively and scooting on the rug, so off to the Veterinarian we went!

Stool Softeners that are safe for your dog

Our Veterinarian examined her and didn't see any internal issues, thankfully.  He gave me a cream to apply twice daily.  The cream worked only temporarily so back to the Vet we went.  This time he gave her a Kenalog injection, which had the same corticosteroid ingredients as the cream but a lot stronger.  In addition, he discussed adding a stool softener for her and provided a few options.

I try to stay away from medications and look for more natural substances when feasible, so I opted to try those first.  Here is a list of food products that can aid as a stool softener or laxative for your dog:

> Canned pumpkin or squash (no sugar or salt added): 1 - 2 tbsp. with food 1 - 2 times a day

> Bran: 1 - 2 tbsp. with food 1 - 2 times a day

> Milk: 1/2 cup twice a day

> Vegetable/Olive/Mineral Oil 1/2 - 1 tsp with food 1 - 2 times a day

I started with milk for Phoebe and it worked really well!  I could have also tried the pumpkin because my dogs love the taste of pumpkin, but I was afraid Icy would try to eat Phoebe's pumpkin and then we might have a bit of a mess on our hands, if you know what I mean!

I feel much better now Mama!

Medications that can also be safely used as laxatives or stool softeners for dogs include:

> Metamucil: 1tsp with food 1 - 2 times a day

> Dulcolax: 5-20mg daily

> Milk of Magnesium: 1 - 2 tbsp. with food 1 - 2 times a day

Always consult your Veterinarian before giving your dog any of these.  Every pet is an individual and your Vet knows your pet best.  I always consult our Vet before giving my dogs anything for medicinal purposes.

I hope you found this information helpful.  Happy Pooping!!

Has your pet ever had issues straining to defecate or scooting on the rug?  How did you address the issue?  Please share your experience and insight in the comments section!  We always love to hear from you!

Health Benefits of Adding Pumpkin To Your Dogs Diet

A Solid Emergency Recall Could Save Your Dog's Life

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