Category Archives: Animals

Oct28

Are You Ready For A Dog?

Posted on October 28, 2023 by lifewithlilred

If you are thinking about getting a dog, then you will need to make sure that you are actually ready to look after them. It can be a lot trickier than you might think, and there are going to be many things that you need to do to make sure your pet is getting the best care possible. In this post, we are going to discuss some of the things to focus on to ensure that you are genuinely ready to look after a dog in your home and make one part of your life:

Time:

First of all, having a dog means that you need to have quite a bit of time in your daily life, and that is something that you just can’t really get around. Only by having plenty of time can you ensure that you are able to look after your dog as well as you would hope – because you need to walk them and so on, and all of that simply takes time. Look at your general schedule and be honest with yourself about whether or not you are able to care for a dog with the amount of time you normally have available.

Energy:

You will also need to devote a lot of personal energy to your pooch, because walking with them, playing with them, and generally caring for them all requires that you have a lot of energy to give. You need to again be honest with yourself about what kind of energy levels you think you can muster, so that you are likely to effectively care for a dog. You might have a breed that loves to play, in which case this is going to be especially important to consider.

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Space:

Your home needs to have plenty of space if you are going to look after a dog effectively, and again this is something that you can’t really expect to get around. Think about what breed you want and how much room they are likely to need, and then make sure that you are working with that as well as you can. Only by offering up the right amount of space can you hope to care for your dog as well as necessary, so this is something that you should definitely think about here.

Love:

And last but certainly not least, a dog needs a lot of love, more than many other kinds of pets. You will probably find that this comes naturally, but it’s something to be aware of in any case. If you can give them the right amount of love, they are going to be happier and you will find that looking after them is a lot more enjoyable too. That is a major part of getting ready for having a dog in your home and in your life, so be sure not to overlook it.

A dog is a huge commitment if you are up to it, but it is so worth it. They will add so much joy to your home and life!

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Sep24

About Our Bunnies

Posted on September 24, 2023 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!!! On November first, it will be one whole year since Johnny and I welcomed our sweet bunnies, Melvin and Penelope, home. We adopted Mel and P from a friend who adopted Penelope from some type of fair I think? Little did she know, Penelope was pregnant and had eight (Yes, eight!) babies. When Johnny and I decided that we were committed to adopting bunnies, I scoured humane societies and posted on Facebook for any leads. My post was answered by the new bunny parent of nine and we took our babies home two weeks later!

It was and still is so exciting to have pets in our apartment. Melvin and Penelope are our little buddies and we are just as obsessed with them now as the day we brought them home. It is such a blast to watch our two gremlins romp around our bunny proofed area, play with their beloved Chewy boxes, and get into mischief. Mel and P’s favorite activities include snack time, chewing literally everything, and getting all of the cuddles from their mom and dad. Although, cuddling definitely wasn’t on their agenda when we first got them… It took a while for them to get warmed up to being held, but now they are always on the couch with us when we watch TV! 🙂

Our almost first year of being bunny parents felt like a lot of trial and error. It took both Mel and P a while to get about 95% litter trained, for starters. The first few months involved a lot of cleaning up accidents and rearranging their litter boxes to find a solution that worked. We had to figure out the best ways to clean their hutch, the best places to shop for their leafy greens, as well as finding supplies that they liked and getting them acclimated to our touch. This process took a while, but we never gave up and it feels like we have had them for so much longer than a year.

Melvin and Penelope are completely different bunnies from when we first brought them home. Pen was SO shy and was not interested in exploring her new digs whatsoever. Melvin, on the other hand, was quite skittish and would rather run away than be near us. Now that they know who mom and dad are and are so used to us, we finally see their real personalities. Pen is sweet as can be and loves to be held – the way to her heart was lots of yummy treats! Mel is our little adventurer and tolerates being held for a while, then he scampers off to play, play, play. He loves toys and thinks it’s hilarious to dump his food dish all over the hutch as soon as I refill it! Their personalities compliment each other so well and I am thrilled that they are comfortable enough with us to show it off. ❤

Since Johnny and I did not have a birthaversary bash this year, we are hoping to combine it into a party for Mel and Pen’s Gotcha Day. Our bunny babies are so loved and in my perfect world, we would have an apartment full of them!

What is your pet’s personality like? When it your pet’s Gotcha Day? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep21

Feed Your Dog Well With These Tips

Posted on September 21, 2023 by lifewithlilred

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As a pet owner, you want to give the best life possible for your pet. When it comes to your dog, you need to make sure that they are exercising, eating well, and feeling positive and secure. Feeding your dog the nutritious diet that they need will help them to stay happy and healthy, but it can be a challenge when money isn’t matching what they need.

Nutritious diets for dogs should give them the right amount of fats, proteins, and vitamins that they require for a healthy lifestyle. Every dog breed and every dog age requires different amounts of food, different natural dog treats, and a moderate level of high quality digestible protein. Understanding the best options for your dog’s health is important so here are some tips to help your dog eat well. Bon appetite!

Protein:

Head to the butchers if you are feeding your dog raw meat. It’s important to make sure that human grade meat doesn’t contain any preservatives. Avoid sausage, cooked or manufactured meats, and make sure that any uncooked bone is wider than the width of your three middle fingers. This is the best option for bone crunching. Marrow bones are very appealing for dogs so you should make sure that your human foods are bought from the butchers.

Sweet Potatoes:

If you want your dog to eat well and have plenty of nutrients, then adding sweet potato to their diet is really going to help. It will improve digestion and it also gives a good dose of beta carotene, which is helpful for healthy skin and bones.

Peanut Butter:

Peanut butter is an excellent snack for dogs, especially because of the vitamin B and the heart healthy fats. There’s a reason that you eat the peanut butter, and those are the same reasons that your dog should eat it too. It’s a good food to use for enrichment games and you can smooth it inside a Kong or other rubber dog toys for them to find and enjoy.

Parsley:

Add some parsley to dog food for minty fresh breath. Well, not quite minty fresh, but it will definitely be better than what it is! Parsley is a good way to improve your dog’s health and give them some much needed vitamins while making their breath smell good.

Porridge:

Puppies love porridge in the morning. If you are making yourself a bowl of porridge, consider making one for your pup as a fiber rich snack. All you need to do is avoid any added sugars or syrups and your dog will be able to enjoy it with you. It should be used exclusively as a treat, however, because while it’s fiber rich it’s not particularly rich in anything else.

Just like humans, the diet for your pet is extremely important. Feed them well with the tips above!

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Sep1

Making Good Decisions For Your Pet

Posted on September 1, 2023 by lifewithlilred

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Everyone is (hopefully) aware that having a pet in the household is an investment. It’s an investment of your time, energy, financial backing, and of course, love. Thankfully, that last part, love, is paid back to us in spades, so there’s no need to worry about a “return on investment” when bringing a beloved pet home. While it’s true that you’re likely ready for all of the responsibilities involved with owning a pet, you also have a life to lead.

In this light, anything that makes pet ownership a little easier without having to dismiss or neglect them even slightly is helpful. Of course, this might sound like you’re outsourcing the responsibility of pet ownership to others, but that doesn’t have to be the case. After all, no one considers convenience like safety gates to be neglectful, it just means you don’t have to keep teaching your puppy not to claw at the sofa until they’re old enough to adopt that lesson properly. In this post, we’ll discuss how to improve the convenience of pet ownership one step at a time:

Walking & Sitting Services:

Not everyone has time to walk their dog daily, nor can they look after their pets if they’re heading on vacation for a little while. That’s where walking and sitting services come in. Dog walking is a great task for teenagers so paying your neighbor’s child to walk your dog once every other day could be ideal, just as you would hire a babysitter.

Using the same logic, sitting services can be helpful too. If you’re going away for the weekend, you might ask a trusted friend or neighbor to spend time at your house. Prepare some food and fill the fridge with groceries, give them access to your streaming services, and let them feed and play with your pets, reporting any issues to you immediately. It’s a little effort but it does make a big difference.

Great Medical Care:

Before you bring a pet into the household, it’s always wise to see if there’s a local veterinarian with good reviews and dependable service. There’s usually a great vet in every town, but just make sure you understand what the service is, if they offer any membership or enrollment programs, and the general cost of each checkup. You can also bind this to medicine deliveries when needed, as you might do with a local pharmacy, to ensure you have everything you may need ahead of time.

Doggy & Kitty Doors:

Once you’ve trained your little furry friend and you trust them to head out into the garden, installing a doggy or kitty door that allows them to go out and come back in whenever they need (and then locking this at night) can save you having to check the door all day. Little habits like this will also help you avoid accidents on your carpet, which are never enjoyable to find!

Strong Fences & Gates:

If you have to worry about your dog bounding out every time you open the door with a leash or finding a way out when in the garden, installing gates and privacy fences with strong foundations can ensure there’s no way out of your property for your dog. Cats can climb and will find some way out, but will generally come home when they feel like it. Dogs can struggle with this and will bound out even if they love living at home. That’s why it’s good to have zones prepared so that even if they try to book it, they can’t get past a certain point without your approval.

With this advice, you’re sure to improve the convenience of pet ownership, one good decision at a time!

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Jun24

Eye Spy In Nature

Posted on June 24, 2023 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! In Ohio, it is currently hot AF and is a drastic change from the cool to moderate temps we experienced last week. That is my preferred style of summer weather, so it made for perfect days to go on hikes with my clients. During our walks, we were seeing wildlife left and right – Oriels, frogs, and turtles too! In total, I saw two Oriels, six turtles, and six frogs and I truly felt like the nature whisperer lol. It was a blast and it felt like a real life version of Eye Spy! Check it out:

On my first walk of the day, my client and I saw a HUGE turtle in the middle of the path. From far away, it looked like a rock or a bundle of dead leaves. You could have knocked me over with a feather when I realized what it actually was! I was a bit worried about my turtle friend because of how little movement I saw and the fact that the water he was trying to get to was a bit of a trek away. Thankfully, after snapping a few safely distanced pics and walking away, the turtle was back on the move. I guess he just needed a little break. Also, when you see a turtle in the road (or path, in my case) it is said to be good luck and something great happened on Monday so maybe I have the turtle to thank for it! 😀

On my next walk with a different client, we went to a local Metro Park that has lots of ponds and not quite lake size bodies of water. We were determined to find frogs and on the first trip around a pond, I didn’t see jack. Then, I decided to take a closer look and realized the error of my ways. They were all around us, but camouflaged and I just wasn’t looking hard enough! It was so cool to see the frogs hiding in plain sight and they did a great job – if I didn’t inspect further, I definitely wouldn’t have seen them. We also saw five turtles lounging on logs from afar that also did a very nice job of blending into the scenery. It was a hoot. 🙂

Nature walks are always fun, but they’re even better when you can see the local wildlife. I am still delighting over the pictures of my froggy and turtle friends!

What kind of wildlife is in your neck of the woods? What is your favorite summer activity? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun18

Surprise Gifts For Mel & Pen

Posted on June 18, 2023 by lifewithlilred

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Hello! Johnny and I had a very low key birthaversary week and received so many lovely well wishes and gifts, which were much appreciated. One of Johnny’s sweet aunts apparently didn’t want our bunny babies, Melvin and Penelope, to go without gifts of their own and sent them some prezzies too. It was such an adorable gesture and, as always, Mel and P are spoiled rotten. Hey, these little gremlins are so cute that they deserve it! Check it out:

When I first opened the bunny gift box, I was unsure what I was looking at because I saw a strawberry shape and pattern first. I assumed it was a little backpack for Val! In reality, it’s a bag that you can put hay and treats in that can be clipped onto their hutch. We also have variety because of the carrot one! I love the fact that Mel and P now have these accessories so that they can start styling just like their old mom and pop. And, they actually just tried strawberries for the first time as a treat this week and it was a huge hit!

My gremlins also received a huge set of their favorite toys in their goody box, which are balls made out of various chewing materials. These are a staple in every Chewy order I make because Mel and Pen make such quick work of them and they are only available in a set of three. I like to place some in their cage as well as in our bunny proofed area for them to roll around and toss. While they enjoy all of the different textures, their favorite has to be the ones with openings in them because I’ll put treats inside. My goal is to get Mel and P to be able to roll the balls back to me so now we have lots of practice material to work with. 😀

Mel and Pen loved having gifts of their own and I know because I’m their mom lol. And, yes, they had a blast with the box itself too and were sitting inside of it as I typed this! Spoiled? Yes. Insanely loved? Abso-freaking-lutely! ❤

Do you buy gifts for your pets? What is your pet’s favorite toy? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May22

Bunny Care Essentials

Posted on May 22, 2023 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! Johnny and I brought our sweet mother and son bunny duo, Melvin and Penelope, home this past November. They are our lil besties and our apartment has so much more joy in it ever since we adopted them into their forever home. The longer that we have had them for, the more amazed I am by the day that rabbits are often given as pets or gifts for children – they are a lot of work and Johnny and I are adults!

Today, I thought I would discuss some Bunny Care Essentials that are 100% necessary for their well being. Bunnies are not just cute balls of fluff to look at through their hutch and require a decent amount of care to keep them happy. Like the following:

Clean Up Crew:

Bunnies are social animals and it is best to have a pair of them. With a pair of bunnies comes double the expenses and double the cleaning up!! We have a designated area in their hutch for their bathroom breaks and both Mel and P are pretty good about using the litter boxes. However, that doesn’t mean that they don’t have accidents! Every morning, it is an absolute must that I clean out their potty area of any soiled bedding and refresh their litter boxes. Bunnies are rather picky and as soon as their litter boxes get nasty, they refuse to go in it. It’s obviously not the most enjoyable chore in the world, but having bunnies means having to clean up after them. And, be warned – bunnies go to the bathroom a lot lol.

Play Time:

Bunnies are energetic AF and they are currently zooming around the apartment as I type this. Yeah, bunnies get the zoomies too! Johnny and I are in the process of bunny proofing a section of our apartment for them to free roam all day every day, but for now, they are in their hutch while we are at work and asleep. Any other time, though, their door is open and they have free reign to go in and out as they please. Throughout the play area, we have a wide variety of Chewy boxes, toys, scratch mats, and hideaways for them to interact with. Despite everything at their disposal, their favorite plaything will always be the Chewy boxes! Playtime is so important to Mel and P’s well being and bunnies should never be confined to their hutch for more than a day.

Care Packages:

I love to online shop for literally anything and Chewy has become the site where I now purchase from the most frequently. Since two bunnies is a standard, that means that their essential items run out fairly quickly. Every month and a half or so, I order more bedding, hay, pellet food, toys, and cleaning spray and it typically totals out to around $100 each time. Johnny and I also visit the grocery store weekly for their fresh veggies and occasional fruit treat. While I love to spoil them constantly with new toys, the rest of the order really isn’t spoiling them at all – it is all needed for them to live their best bunny lives.

Consideration Is Key:

If you think that bunnies are animals that you can instantly snuggle up to, pick up, and coddle then you are wrong. Bunnies are, honestly, a lot like cats and you truly have to let them come to you. Bunnies are also prey animals and it is ingrained in them that they don’t like to be picked up. It took time and patience to gain Mel and P’s trust and they show their affection in their own way. They both love to be brushed and pet and, if I’m lucky, they’ll let me pick them up. You are not going to become trusted by your rabbit immediately and you have to be okay with that. Pushing them out of their comfort zone is only going to terrorize them and will ruin any progress you have made. Slow and steady is key and they will come around in their own time and respecting that is essential.

Although I knew what I was getting into before Mel and P came home, all of their requirements still came as a bit of a surprise and it’s important for other people considering bunnies as a pet to know them too. I wouldn’t trade one minute of their care for the world, though, and I am the proudest pet parent to two wonderful little gremlins! ❤

What are some care essentials for your pet? What is your pet’s favorite toy? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr19

Common Mistakes People Make When Getting A Pet

Posted on April 19, 2023 by lifewithlilred

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Common Mistakes People Make When Getting A Pet

Whether you are living alone, with a partner, or with a family, something that many people wish to do is get a pet of some kind. There is a lot more to being a pet owner than most people think, and unfortunately, some people find out they are not ready for a dog or a cat after it is too late. Here are a few common mistakes that people make when getting a pet for you to consider:

Not considering if your children are ready for pets:

If you have children (especially young ones) who have not yet lived with a pet of any kind, then something that you should consider before getting one is how the child will react to living with a pet. This is a mistake that many people make as all they want to do is find a pet and bring it home. It is not until they bring the new family member home that they realize, or start to see, potential issues between the new pet and the child. It may be that your child is scared of particular animals, that they do not have the right temperament to be around them, or simply that the child’s age is not compatible with the type of pet that has been brought. So, before you buy one, make sure that you prepare your child for getting a pet.

Not thinking about the end of life care and pet loss:

When getting a pet, it is often a fun experience that is full of excitement, making memories, and love. However, a mistake that a lot of people make is not considering the other end of their pet’s life, and if they will be able to handle all of the extra responsibilities and care that come with the end of life. Not only that but how the loss of a pet will affect them, losing a pet is just as painful as losing any other member of the family. To make sure you don’t make this mistake and are prepared for this, just consider the steps you will potentially and inevitably have to take. For example, more frequent vet trips, medications, alterations to your pet’s lifestyle, and the things that come after, such as pet cremation and grief.

Not preparing your home adequately:

Some pets will have specific requirements or living conditions that need to be met, others could have some form of disability that needs to be considered, or they might even just be a certain size that will require alterations to a home for them to live there safely and comfortably. This is another mistake that people can make, or not realize until the pet is already at home with them. To avoid putting yourself in this situation, take some time to think whether or not you need to prepare your home for a pet that you plan on getting.

One important aspect often overlooked is establishing clear boundaries for your new pet, particularly if they will spend time outdoors. A practical solution like DogWatch Invisible Dog Fences can securely keep your pet within the confines of your property without the need for visible barriers. Beyond just setting boundaries, it’s crucial to pet-proof your home – ensure trash bins are secure, remove toxic plants, and keep small objects out of reach. These steps not only prevent potential accidents but also create a safer and more welcoming environment for everyone in the home.

Regardless of what kind of pet you want to bring home, make sure that you are ready to look after it correctly, and take into consideration these common mistakes that people make!

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Apr10

Bunnies On The Town

Posted on April 10, 2023 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! This past week has been very difficult for Lil Red and Johnny has definitely made things so much easier/better for me. He worked hard while I was gone to spring clean our apartment, make minor repairs, and transform our bunny proofed area the way I always envisioned it! When we first brought Melvin and Penelope home, we put them in a play pen for their recreation time for about two days before we realized it was not the move. Then, Johnny bunny proofed and they were able to free roam while their play pen turned into the corral for all of their supplies.

This week, Johnny took it upon himself to make the changes I wanted but simply didn’t have the time or energy for. He bought storage bins for all of the bunny supplies, moved them to the closet, and used parts of the play pen to create a protective barrier around the couch which they so love to hide underneath. This was all well and good but we agree that the best improvement was the fact that the bunnies could finally play on their safety town rug… and Johnny too:

Johnny invested in this nostalgic safety town rug when he was buying bunny proofing gear at Menard’s. It had been sitting sentinel in the play pen for so long underneath all of the bunny supplies that I almost forgot about it! Now, it is cleared off and ready for the bunnies to take over the town. Of course, Johnny had to have the first go at playing on it and took his pinewood derby cars for a spin. It was so cute and the test drive was very well deserved. ❤

After Johnny had his turn at safety town, it was time for Mel and P to explore their new digs and guys… They freaking love it. As soon as we opened the door to their hutch, they both ran right towards the rug and all of the free space that they didn’t have before. While Pen took a leisurely stroll around town, Mel just went insane lol. He was showing off with huge hops, running around in speedy circles, and destroying everything in his path on the rug! The Chewy boxes are cool and all and Penelope still remains very partial to them but I think we found Melvin’s new favorite activity. 😀

Having Johnny put my grand plans for our bunny proofed area into effect was such an amazing surprise for me and our little gremlins. And Johnny got to enjoy the fruits of his own labor too so it was a win/win/win. Chez nous is turning into the ultimate hangout for bunnies and humans alike!

Did you ever go to safety town? What is something nostalgic to you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr7

Chewy Boxes: A Bunny’s Favorite Toy

Posted on April 7, 2023 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! My bunnies, Melvin and Penelope, are my precious angels. Things have been very glum in Lil Red’s world for a long time and Mel and Pen have brought so much joy into my life. Johnny and I truly couldn’t have picked a better time to welcome these two little balls of fluff into our home and I miss them constantly when I’m out! We are very proud bunny parents and as a pet mom, it is my job to spoil them rotten and Mel and P definitely aren’t complaining about it. 😀

Two bunnies means lots of everything! We have to restock our supplies on Chewy fairly often for bedding, pellet food, hay, and their cage cleaner. And, with every order, I can’t resist buying them lots of toys. However, it’s the Chewy boxes that are always the biggest hit:

Melvin is my tiny wanderer and has a very playful disposition. Pen, on the other hand, is much more chill but has come out of her shell a lot since adopting them in November. They both enjoy playing with the toys in their hutch well enough, but their true play time comes when we give them free rein of their bunny proofed area. Johnny and I have them out several times a day for hours on end and it is such fun to see them zipping around and getting into adorable mischief. And, of course, having lots of box time!

When Johnny and I were preparing for the arrival of our pets, the Chewy boxes were arriving non-freaking-stop. We had grand dreams of building a cardboard castle for them, which I still hope will come into fruition in the future. However, the bunnies have been doing a pretty good job of making their own hideout all by themselves. For the past month or so, Mel and P have been working diligently at creating a tunnel in one of the Chewy boxes to dash in and out of. The work has been slow going because I limit their time playing with the cardboard so it doesn’t hurt their bellies. And, this past week, they finally achieved success!

I take the bunnies out every morning when I’m working and it was hysterical to watch their little faces poke out of the tunnel they were making. I would look down and there would be a sweet bunny face looking back at me from the cubby hole; It was the cutest! Mel and P worked so hard to create another access point into their box and I am honestly so proud of them lol. It is also the perfect spot to play bunny peek-a-boo at, which is one of their favorite games. Like I said, SO f’ing cute!

Toys from Chewy are great, but the boxes are second to none when it comes to Mel and P’s entertainment. Lucky for them, I just placed a big order on Chewy so another box will be at their disposal soon. I can’t wait to see what they do with it!

What is your pet’s favorite toy? Where do you get your pet supplies from? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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