Tag Archives: animals

May28

Teaching Your Dog New Tricks

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Teaching Your Dog New Tricks

We have all been in a situation when we had to encounter an untrained dog and for most of us, it’s not exactly the most relaxing encounter. Whether it is having an overly playful puppy at a relative’s house or a wildly barking passerbying dog, these situations can make us feel a bit frazzled. But don’t you worry, because things like the examples listed are easily fixed. Guiding your pets through the experiences that dog training gives sets them on the straight and narrow when you have your pooch in public:

Importance of Obedience Training: One of the most important responsibilities of owning a pet is giving him or her the proper training. Having a dog that listens to you will save you a lot of stress. Your pet understanding basic commands such as sit, stay, or come can make a world of difference. Building this communication will help avoid problematic behavior and increase comfort and security. It gives you the necessary control to keep your dog and the people he interacts with safe. Accidents such as having your pet run loose by him slipping off of the collar or escaping out of the home can happen. Being able to prevent your pet from running across a busy road or into other dangerous obstacles at a moment’s notice can save his life and your emotional well being.

Not only will training help reduce problems, but it will allow for bonding experiences that both you and your pet will enjoy. Your pet chasing or pouncing onto others is always a potential risk and without control over the situation, you and your dog will run into trouble. However, obedience is not the only positive outcome. A well-behaved pet is a happy pet. It allows them to be free and the time you spend with him will be of quality instead of misunderstandings and frustrations. He can have the pleasure of being taken with you when going out to places and safely played with by family members and visitors, instead of missing out on the socializing and fun by being in the backyard due to potential misbehaving and unnecessary trouble.

Before Training Your Dog Yourself: When it comes to dog obedience training, you can either do it yourself or seek the assistance from a professional. Doing it yourself allows you to spend quality interactive time with your pet. However, in some cases, it might be better to reach for help from an experienced trainer. The journey of obedience training requires a lot of prior knowledge, in addition to time and patience. It is not as easy as reading a few lines from a book or watching a few minutes of a TV show and it is best for both you and your pet if you don’t try to make it up as you go along.

Improper training can lead to inconsistent messages and can be ineffective. Consequently, this is only allowing your dog to develop poor habits and bad behavior. If you have proper dog training experience, then doing it yourself can be fulfilling. The earlier that you put your dog on the path to obedience training, the better. Like us, dogs learn significantly faster at younger ages. Providing a proper foundation of training and socialization is important for all parties (and pooches) involved.

Be sure to give your pup lots of love and treats during your training and also a belly rub from yours truly! ❤

Featured Image By: Pixabay

May27

Hard To Say Goodbye: How To Teach Your Dog To Spend The Day Without You

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Hard To Say Goodbye: How To Teach Your Dog To Spend The Day Without You

We all know how much of a commitment it is to bring a new dog into your home. They need a great deal of care, affection, exercise, and training. A puppy can be an incredible addition to your home, but you definitely have to be ready not only for the work involved in looking after them but also the changes that you may well have to make in your life to fit around them. In that way, having a puppy is a lot like having kids since you now have a whole new set of priorities that you have to think about when you’re deciding how to spend your days and nights.

Of course, there is always going to come a time when you’re going to want to go somewhere without your furry friend (Crazy, I know.). It could be going to work or simply going for some drinks with friends. This can be seriously difficult for a lot of people because many dogs really don’t like being left alone. So does that mean you have to be either trapped in your house or take your puppy everywhere you go? Fortunately (or unfortunately) not! Here are some things that you can do to make spending time alone a little easier for your puppy:

Ease Them Into It: The worst possible thing that you can do is to just disappear for hours the very first time you leave your dog alone. They will almost certainly become very upset and that can lead to things like broken furniture and some seriously unpleasant accidents. If you want to start introducing your dog to the idea of spending time without you, then you need to do it gradually. Ease them into the idea of being alone. You may even want to start with something as simple as shutting the door on them and waiting outside for a few minutes. Over time you can increase how long you stay away until they’re used to keeping themselves entertained for decent amounts of time.

Give Them Things To Occupy Them: Speaking of entertainment, even if your puppy doesn’t get very upset when you leave, the other major risk is that they are going to end up being extremely bored! You will want to make sure that there are things around the house to occupy your puppy’s attention and prevent them from wreaking havoc throughout the house, like chewing furniture and knocking over lamps. Companies like http://tuftoys.com are fantastic, because you can rest assured that your pup isn’t going to chew through their toy before you get back. This means that they’ll have something to occupy themselves with all day long.

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Omg ❤

Play With Them as Much as Possible Before You Go: The last thing you want is to leave your dog at home with too much excess energy. Sure, a dog is going to have plenty of energy no matter what but if you can give them a decent amount of play and exercise before you go anywhere, they are that much more likely to feel relaxed, and they may even sleep for a lot of the day. Take them for a long walk, play with their favorite toy, or do some intense training before you go and you can make sure that they don’t feel bottled up and trapped while you’re gone.

Saying goodbye is hard – ESPECIALLY when it’s to your dog! These tips will help make the transition easier for both of you until you can be reunited again (and it will be beautiful!).

Adorable Featured Image By: Pexels

May23

Don’t Delay Dealing With These Top Household Emergencies

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Don’t Delay Dealing With These Top Household Emergencies

When an emergency hits our home, it can throw many of us into a state of panic. If something happens at our work or when we are out on the street, then we can live safely in the knowledge that once we get home, we are safe. After all, it’s not like any of us willingly live in homes that have any threat constantly present (unless you’re a total daredevil, that is). But if something occurs in your home that qualifies as an emergency, it is vital that you are prepared.

Your home shouldn’t be somewhere that you should have to leave for an extended period, especially if you have young children in tow. Leaving due to an incident beyond your control can be incredibly frustrating, and as kids depend on routine, you could find it a very challenging and emotional time. That is why it is in everyone’s best interests to get any household emergency sorted out as soon as possible, so you can all get back to normal life within a day or so. Here are some examples of the most common household disasters, and what you can do to solve them in record time:

Wild Animal Invasion: You may think that because you live in the city, that you are not at risk of an animal or pest invasion. It’s not exactly like there are wild deer or bears casually stalking your home every time you look out the window. But, it may come as a surprise to find out that animals and pests can be just as common within the city as they are in some rural areas – the animals are just good at hiding, that’s all! Common perpetrators include badgers and raccoons, who like to hang around trash cans, and insects such as woodworms. If you get a large animal in your home, try not to panic. Isolate it in a room to stop it from harming yourself or others and give it an escape route, if you can. Never try to tackle it yourself or let your dog or cat near it – you could end up with an even messier situation on your hands.

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Hello!

A Burst Pipe: As far at home-based mishaps go, few are more damaging than a burst pipe. This incident can cause a spectacular amount of damage in a matter of minutes, so it is vital that you act fast. Pipes can burst for reasons, such as a blockage or the fact that the pipe may be frozen. The most important thing to do is to seek help from a professional such as the people available from www.plumbingforce.co.uk. If your leak is particularly bad, turn off the main water supply and clean up any major spills as soon as possible – before your home turns into an indoor water park!

Internal Fire: House fires are typically every homeowner’s worst nightmare. They can easily get out of control even if they start small, which is why it’s very important to know how to deal with them. If the fire is in your oven, the worst thing that you can do is to open the door. Keep it shut, and eventually, the fire should burn itself out. If it is an open fire elsewhere, use an extinguisher or a fire blanket to try and tackle it, and then call the emergency services.

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Yikes!

Household emergencies can be scary and stressful – but knowing how to deal with them can help save you from even more panic/pulling your hair out.

May11

Ask These Questions If Your Dog Is Ill

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Ask These Questions If Your Dog Is Ill

If you are a real dog person, then you will know how upsetting it can be when they are not feeling on top of the world. Especially as with dogs we are so used to seeing them all bubbly and happy – when they are no longer that way it can be really quite distressing. If your dog has started to act strangely recently or if they look like they are getting ill, then you might be wondering what is going wrong. It goes without saying that if things get serious that you should take them to the vet – but what checks can you carry out at home to rule anything out? Let’s look at some of the questions you should be asking yourself if your beloved doggo is getting unwell:

Are You Feeding Them Properly? Just as with any other animal, your dog needs the right diet in order to function properly. Knowing what such a diet should be, however, is something else altogether. As it happens, most dogs need a combination of dried food like Royal Canin and meat, although what meat is not quite so important. If you are only feeding them one or the other, then this can cause some serious nutrient deficiency so make sure that you are giving them a more balanced diet. You should also check that you are feeding them the right quantity – this depends on the size and breed of your dog and it something that you should ask your vet about. Lastly, make sure that you are feeding them at regular intervals, in order to really ensure that their diet is as good as it can be.

Are They Getting Enough Exercise? Dogs of different breeds, sizes, and ages need differing amounts of exercise, so you should make sure that you know your dog’s type well enough to give them the right amount. Generally, however, walking them twice a day is optimal – and absolutely no less than once a day. If you have a large garden, then that can sometimes suffice instead of walking them, but you should still take them elsewhere occasionally to give them new experiences. You will know if they are not getting enough exercise, because they will start to look weak and might even begin whimpering. As a rule, you can’t over-exercise them – they will stop before they do any real damage to themselves. Make sure that you take them out for exercise as much as you can, which should help to keep illness away.

Are You Looking After Their Coat? As it turns out, their coat is not just an aesthetic concern – it is also a majorly important part of their health. There are a number of issues regarding their coat which you definitely want to avoid, such as fleas and nits, so make sure that you do everything you can to keep it clean. You might also need to brush it regularly or semi-regularly, so make sure that you do that too if necessary for your dog. If you look after their coat properly, you will actually help to keep them healthy and happy.

#DOGS ❤ ❤ ❤

Featured Image By: Pexels

May9

The Best Things About Owning A Dog

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The Best Things About Owning A Dog

Dogs are one of the first domesticated animals in history, and it doesn’t take long to figure out why humans have had such a long and amicable relationship with these amazing creatures. They’re funny, loyal, and are always happy to see you, whether you’re in the mood for their antics or not! If you or someone in your house needs just a little more convincing, here are some of the best things about owning a dog (besides for all of the things!!):

They’re Hilarious! Your dog will make you laugh pretty often, perhaps every day if you bring the right pooch home from the shelter! Dogs are always getting up to silly, funny things that will bring a little more joy to your day, even when you’re having a really tough one. Whether it’s breaking into fits of barking and howling when a certain song comes on or licking peanut butter off of their nose for an hour straight (and they will), as a dog owner, you’re sure to see all kinds of things that will put a smile on your face!

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DOGGO!

They Keep Your Mind Engaged: You probably already knew that dogs can be great for getting more physical exercise in, but they’re also very conducive to regular mental exercise, which is often just as important for a healthy, happy life. Any long-time dog owner will tell you that their dog has taught them all kinds of things, and continues to teach them to this day. This is especially true when they’re puppies and your mind is buzzing with all kinds of questions and uncertainties. What are the signs that they’re ill? How often should you walk them? What’s the best food for your dog? Similar to caring for a child, getting into the rhythm of parenting (lol) a dog takes a lot of time and mental effort, which never really stops.

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#friendship

You’ll Have a Friend for Life: Dogs spend a large part of their lives observing us and interacting with us. After a few years of living with a dog, they’ll be intimately familiar with all the little mannerisms and quirks that makes you the person that you are. Healthy dogs also have a natural sense of empathy, and will be able to pick up on a familiar human’s emotions with the drop of a hat. Many long-time dog owners have had instances where they’ve been feeling particularly dejected, and their pet had started exhibiting worried, submissive behavior. At times, it seems that man’s best friend can communicate better than man! Good dog. ❤

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Sweet PUPPER!

They’re Great Personal Trainers: If you know that you should be getting more exercise, you’ll obviously know how hard it is to push yourself into a solid regimen and then stick to it. When you own a dog, on the other hand, you’ll have your own little personal trainer who will keep on getting you out of the door and moving those muscles. No matter how lazy you’re feeling, when a dog wants a walk, they’ll come right up to you with some intense, meaningful looks, maybe even with their leash in their mouth. You won’t be able to turn down that little face as easily as yourself! Seriously. You won’t.

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SO. CUTE!

Long story short: dogs are the best. The end. 😀

Featured Image By: Pixabay

May4

Doggy Despair: Behavioral Issues Your Pooch Can Experience

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Doggy Despair: Behavioral Issues Your Pooch Can Experience

Dogs really are man’s best friend. They’re loyal and silly, they make us laugh, comfort us when we cry, and are an integral part of the family. But just like humans, dogs can experience issues which can leave them out of sorts. It could be a lack of socialization as a pup, something frightening which has made them anxious, or something you have encouraged without even realizing. Here are just a few of the behavioral issues you might face as a dog owner and what to do about them:

Aggression: Aggression in dogs can be targeted towards humans, other dogs and animals, or even objects such as bicycles and cars when you’re out on a walk. Fear often manifests itself as aggression, and a puppy that hasn’t been exposed to lots of different stimuli can grow up as a fearful and aggressive dog. Aggression can also come about due to resource guarding, where your dog feels it has to protect food, treats, toys, and even space. Aggression can be a tricky issue to deal with when it comes to dogs. For everyone’s safety, consulting a dog trainer or expert is in your best interests to make sure that you’re not aggravating the situation. The last thing you want is to make matters worse. Punishing your dog for aggression for example is likely to intensify the situation and make them more prone to biting.

Digging: Digging is a natural doggy behavior, but some dogs will do this more than others. In some cases it can become a huge issue, dogs can tear up gardens and even floors in the home. Digging is good exercise and is fun for dogs, so how about setting up a designated ‘digging area’ in your garden? Redirect them to this when they begin to dig, and use plenty of praise. This behavior might also indicate that your dog is full of energy. Taking them on longer walks could help to keep down their desire to dig.

Barking: Barking is one of the ways that your dog communicates with its humans and other animals. Different barks can mean different things, from ‘there’s someone at the door’ to ‘give me attention’ or ‘get away from me before I bite!’. Understanding your dog’s different barks will help you to give them what they need, although in some cases dogs can bark excessively. This can become a nuisance and can even land you in trouble with your neighbors or landlord. People have even been fined due to noisy dogs!

Correct barking behavior by getting your dog’s attention and diverting it elsewhere. Don’t ever use violence with dogs, but a nudge could help to ‘snap them out’ of the zone that they’re in. Teaching your dog commands like ‘bark’ and ‘stop barking’ using treats, praise, and rewards can help, too. That way when they begin to bark you can use the command to stop and praise them with a treat. If nothing seems to be helping, seeking professional training might be the way to go.

Begging: Dogs are very food motivated. This is great as it makes them easy to teach, most dogs will do anything you ask to get their paws on a tasty snack! However, it also means that whatever you have to eat, your dog will have eyes for. If you give your dog table scraps and food from your plate, you’re encouraging a lifetime of begging behavior – and dogs aren’t subtle about it! They will happily sit with their head on your knee or right next to your face while you eat given the chance! You can stop begging behavior by simply never feeding your dog table scraps. If you have leftovers that are suitable for dogs such as meat, vegetables, rice and other good stuff- scrape it into a container for later. That way they don’t associate you eating (or finishing your meal) with them getting fed.

You could also make them sit in their bed or in another room while you eat, or even use a soft crate. Unlike a wire crate, this is easy to collapse and is portable, so it’s useful for when you travel and not quite as imposing as other models. If you’re wondering what the best soft dog crates are on the market, there are plenty of reviews online. Dogs might also beg because they’re hungry. Making sure that you’re giving enough food for the size of your dog will help to prevent this. There are usually feeding instructions based on weight on most dog food products or you could ask your vet if you’re unsure.

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Yawwwn

Chewing: Dogs like to chew. Having a toy or bone for them to chew on can clean their teeth, vent their frustrations, and keep their mind busy which tires them out. However, some dogs won’t just chew their own possessions but anything in their path. This can be dangerous since they might choke on small parts, gnaw on something toxic, or even through wires giving them an electric shock. Teaching puppies what they can and can’t have is essential. Destruction is often a result of frustration or separation anxiety, so making sure that your dog is well exercised and not leaving them alone for long periods should help with this. You may find that confining them to a crate or one room is necessary to keep them from chewing up things that they shouldn’t. If you know your dog is a chewer, be extra cautious not to leave anything lying around that they can get a hold of. Wires should be tacked to walls using wire clips, shoes should be put in a cupboard, and anything else that might become a target should be moved – especially when your dog is unsupervised.

Keeping your dog healthy, making sure that they get enough exercise, and socializing them well when they’re young will help you to avoid all kinds of issues. However, sometimes they can still crop up either due to an experience that they’ve had or just out of the blue. A dog trainer or your local vet can provide further advice if you’re stuck. LONG LIVE DOGS!!! ❤

Featured Image By: Pexels

Apr27

Underrated Careers You Should Consider

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We could probably name a bunch of careers that are overrated. ‘Advertising executive’ sounds flashy, but it’s actually a dying career field, with pay not being all that great. Lawyers get great pay, but when you consider the amount of work they have to put in (it’s basically non-stop, and the vast majority of it is paperwork), it may not be that great a trade-off. But, there are a bunch of important careers in our society that a lot of people don’t appreciate as much as they should. Not only are they essential to our country, but they’re also more complex, interesting, and stable than many seem to think. Here are just a few:

Accountant: A lot of people know that accountants are important, but they don’t see it as a particularly desirable career. After all, aren’t the accountants in films and books always really boring characters? The fact is, is that accounting is a very stable career choice that can land you a very healthy paycheck. It’s not just a career that people fall into because they couldn’t decide what else to do with their lives!

Nurse: When some unfortunate people think about nurses, they usually just think about hospital assistants who weren’t quite good or qualified enough to become “real doctors”. (Some people still seem to think that “doctors” are the males in healthcare and “nurses” are the females. To which I say… well, I don’t know what to say.). But this couldn’t be further from the truth. Nurses fill very particular roles that doctors couldn’t necessarily do, and becoming a nurse often requires very heavy-duty training and education. Courses in nursing science from the likes of Maryville University make clear just how complex and socially-needed this pursuit really is. Not to mention how rewarding!

Nurses are essential to healthcare

Vets: Vets, like nurses, are often just dismissed as ‘people in medicine who aren’t quite doctors’. (Although vets can actually refer to themselves as doctors in some parts of the world!) Some also seem to question why someone would choose to work with animals when human healthcare is so understaffed and overworked right now! But veteran veterinarians aren’t just high-earners; they’re also very important for society because they help deal with diseases and other issues in livestock. Without them, we’d have a much harder and more dangerous time getting… well, food. But us vegetarians have nothing to worry about! 😉

Also, you get to hang out with kitties!

Engineer: Like many similar careers in trade and manufacturing, civil engineering seems to have lost its cool factor, with an alarming amount of people assuming that such pursuits are basically pointless. But we don’t live in a post-industrial age; we’re still heavily reliant on careers such as this in order to keep our societies advancing. (Not just standing; advancing.) Someone with a great engineering grade can land a high-paying job pretty quickly, and the benefits for society when more people enter these fields are staggering.

Kitty Joyner, electrical engineer!

Waste collector: Seriously, they’re keeping the streets clean. People don’t just go into this work because they can’t do anything else; many do it because they care about their communities. That, and the pay isn’t half bad!

Apr21

The Secret Life Of Cats

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The Secret Life Of Cats

We all want companionship in our lives, and so for many of us, the option to get a pet seems like a great idea. For those of us that are infatuated with felines, we will immediately think about adopting a cat. Compared to other animals, cats are considerably low-maintenance and are easy to transport. In fact, some people love them so much that they decide to give several felines a forever home!

It’s likely you are reading this blog post because you are putting serious consideration into adopting a cat. But, before you start looking for potential new feline friends, you should think about what a day in the life of a pet cat is like from an owner’s point of view. If you’ve never owned a feline before, you need to do plenty of research on the subject so that you can make an informed choice.

In today’s blog post, you will learn more about the “secret” life of cats and the impact it has on their owners or people visiting them in their homes. Here is what you need to know before bringing a kitty cat home:

Cats have individual personalities just like we do: Some people are under the illusion that animals we keep as pets generally behave in the same way. The thing is, cats have unique and individual personalities just like human beings. Some cats might be docile, others feisty, and some are just plain scary!

When you go out to look at potential cats to adopt, you need to find out about their temperament from the adoption agency or seller. It’s even more vital that you do this if you’ve got other people living with you, especially children and babies. The last thing you want is for your family to get mauled by your new pet cat on a daily basis! It goes without saying that you should only get a cat if there is a strong likelihood that they will “get on” with your existing pets.

Always remember that your cat might not have nine lives, but their personalities are for keeps! We have all heard the nine lives expression before but if you are curious, you should try to convert your cat’s age to human years – it’s interesting for adults and children alike!

Cats need looking after: No-one should expect a cat to fend for itself on a daily basis, whether it roams within the confines of your home or out on the street during the day. You need to be a responsible cat owner and ensure that its health and welfare is your top priority.

That means giving your feline friend access to the right food and plenty of fresh water. Plus, cats that roam outdoors during the day need flea protection. Products such as Advecta 3 are suitable for keeping flea infestation risks to a minimum. Also, it goes without saying that you should ensure that your cat lives in a sanitary environment. In other words, you must keep your home and their favorite hideaways as clean as possible.

Cats will do things that annoy you: You can try to train your cat as much as you like, but we all know that they will just do their own thing! With that in mind, you must make your home cat-friendly as much as possible. Try not to be angry at them for doing things like:

  • Wrecking your Christmas tree during the holidays;
  • Going to the toilet in places other than their litter tray;
  • Bringing back “presents” for you (i.e. dead mice and birds);
  • Sleeping in your bed!

They will also dig their claws into your furniture, especially carpets. For that reason, it’s crucial that you buy them a cat scratching post, such as the Purrfect Post.

If you’ve made it this far and are still determined to adopt a cat, you will at least know more about what to expect when you live with one. Good luck and congrats! 🙂

Featured Image By: Pexels

Mar1

Accessory Story: Sparkling Snakes Edition

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Accessory Story: Sparkling Snakes Edition

Hellooo everyone and happy Hump Day! I hope all of you are having a wonderful week so far and are looking forward to an exciting weekend ahead. When it comes to fashion, Lil Red loves it all. Beauty, makeup, clothes, shoes, purses, hats, and of course – jewelry. I have quite a staggering jewelry collection that I am just now beginning to appreciate. I’ve grown to love layering necklaces, throwing rings on multiple fingers, and stacking bracelets and bangles on my arms. This Accessory Story is an ode to two of my personal favorite pieces – my Sparkling Snake arm cuffs. Take a look:

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One of these bracelets is Betsey Johnson and one of these pieces is from the gift shop at the Akron Zoo. Can you guess which is which? Lol, don’t worry – I’ll tell you! The gold snake with the pink toned gems is a Betsey Johnson cuff that my mom gave me a few Christmases ago and the blue gem snake is from the zoo (which sounds so weird saying!). I am an avid lover of all of the fun, quirky, sassiness that is Betsey Johnson so my mom was spot on in gifting me with this cuff. I actually think she might have gotten me the bracelet from the zoo, as well, as a birthday present. So shout out to my beloved mama AGAIN!

When it comes to jewelry, I don’t do subtle and soft. I want loud, in your face pieces that really make a statement. And, honestly, what better way is there to make a cool, glam rock impression than a couple of gem stoned snakes coiled around your arm? I normally like to wear one snake for each arm and love breaking them out in the summer time when they can be fully appreciated thanks to tanks, tees, and crop tops. Not only that, but in the intense summer sun, you can only imagine how gorgeously these cuffs glisten!

So, how did my mom land on gifting me with snake themed bracelets? Do I like snakes? Not particularly. I don’t dislike any animal but it’s not like I’m going to go out of my way to get a pet snake any time soon! And also – HOW DO THEY PEE?! I wish that I could say that jokingly but I REALLY WANT TO KNOW!! But I digress. I actually think I pointed out the zoo snake bracelet to my mom and told her how much I liked it. Then, it must have been the same year that she gifted me with the Betsey Johnson one at Christmas because she had to have remembered how much I liked my birthday prezzie. Oh, mom! What a darling, perfect gal! ❤

So there you have it, my latest Accessory Story: Sparkling Snakes Edition! Does anyone else own any animal themed jewelry? Where is the strangest place that you have ever bought jewelry from? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar1

Getting Off To The Best Start With Your Pup

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Getting Off To The Best Start With Your Pup

Welcoming a new dog into the home should be and is a joyous occasion. Then, the honeymoon period quickly starts sharing room with the realization of the demands that a pet brings with them. Whether you’re a new owner or this is your first new dog in a while, it’s important to get a refresher on how to turn them from little strangers to a family member in no time:

Make Sure You’re Ready For Them: It’s vital that you take your responsibilities as a dog owner as seriously as possible. They have needs and they look solely to you to help them fulfill them. You have to know what those needs are before they come in the home. Who is going to feed them, walk them, and play with them? Do you have the budget to take care of all the costs in food, bedding, and vet visits? We don’t want to put anyone off getting a dog. However, if your family isn’t ready for them, then you should reconsider for the sake of the animal and the family.

Welcome Them In The Home: Having a space for the dog is important. You need to think about how much space they’re going to take when sleeping and make sure that you get a bedding area that’s both big and comfortable enough. You also have to know that dogs, young pups especially, are going to try to get into just about anything. For that reason, pet-proofing the home is vital. You need to make sure that no food or dangerous little odds and ends are in reach of them. You should also make sure that your houseplants are not poisonous to your new pet.

Get Up To Date On Their Health: Finding a good veterinary surgeon as soon as possible has to be on the agenda. Not only because you want someone who you can go to in an emergency but you also need the sources that can keep you up to date on all the essentials of keeping the pup healthy. Their immunizations, regular pest control treatments, getting them microchipped, and so on. Keep a schedule of those essential visits and don’t be afraid to ask the vet for any advice that you might need.

Don’t forget regular cleanings for their teeth and nail trimming too. Your vet will have the best veterinary dental equipment to be able to treat any major issues or can recommend you to a great groomer for maintenance visits.

Train Your Pup: It’s just as essential that you make sure your dog is becoming the kind of family dog that you want. Early habits like potty training and chewing on things aren’t the only habits that you should be concerned about. Many people neglect to get their dog properly socialized, which means that they can bark, jump up, and even display aggressive behavior to new people and animals alike. One of the habits that the humans in the relationship need to make sure that they don’t get into is feeding the dog scraps. Doing that too often can make it so that the dog’s palate doesn’t quite enjoy dog food the same way and instead they spend their free time looking for even more treats. It might be endearing, but when they’re constantly trying to jump up to your dinner plate, it can get old very fast.

Taking care of a whole new creature brings with it plenty of challenges. But do it right and you’ll end up with one of the most loyal friends your family could have! <333

Totes Adorbs Featured Image By: Pixabay