Tag Archives: animals

Nov7

The Joys And Trials Of Cat Ownership

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The Joys And Trials Of Cat Ownership

For all of the “crazy” cat people out there! 😉

The Joys And Trials Of Cat Ownership

If you are a cat person, you’ll be well aware of how wonderful it is to have a furry feline friend or two in the house. The joy of their soft, warm fur when they are cuddled up with you on the sofa in the evening. Or their meows, when you come home from work, are so wonderful. But, of course, they can be little terrors too! Being a cat mom is truly the best of times and sometimes the worst of times. Read on to see what I mean.

Affectionate: Cats are known for being kind of aloof but in the right situations they can be very affectionate. The trick with cats is to let them come to you. Once they realize that they won’t be crowded and attention is demanded of them, they will be much more likely to come over and say hi.

The level of affection and fuss that your cats enjoys will also depend on its temperament, too. For example, some cat breeds like Rag Dolls have no problem being picked up and carried about. Although other breeds and moggies can dislike this intensely. Some brave individuals can be quite demanding of attention and meow and head butt until you fuss them!

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 MEOW!

Mischievous: Of course as well as being affectionate cats can also be mischievous, too. Sometimes they don’t totally realize that they’re doing wrong. When they bring a mouse or a bird in from outside, for example. This is usually meant as a gift for you. It’s food that they have hunted themselves, so it shows that they care about you, as they don’t want you to starve! They probably don’t understand why you scream or are cross because in their minds they have done a good thing.

The same goes for when they are overcome with the temptation to eat something that they shouldn’t. Cats have a very sensitive nose and can smell good things to eat from a fair way away. This means that keeping any fish or other things that they find yummy a secret is a pretty hard thing to do.

However, sometimes it seems as if they know exactly what they are doing wrong but do it anyways just to be naughty. This is especially true when they do the terrible, but the adorable thing of looking at you while they push an ornament off a high shelf. It’s like they are saying “Am I allowed to do this? No? We’ll I’m going to anyway!”

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 Purrfect 😉

Clean: One of the major joys of owning a cat as opposed to any other pet is that they are relatively clean with their potty habits. For the most part, when you get a cat it is already litter trained. Although this may not be the case with a stray that needs re homing.

If they are litter trained, you are definitely onto a winner, as it means that all of their waste goes into the tray and you just have to keep that clean. Even so, emptying the litter tray and cleaning it out can be one of the least favorite things about cat ownership. That is why some clever people have come up with innovative robotic litter tray designs like the one reviewed on Petsho. These are designed to clean themselves making your life even easier.

Dirty: Of course, there is some issue with dirt that is specialized to having a cat. They are quite good at getting muddy or greasy paw prints over everything. Especially windows! There is also the dander to deal with. Dander is the hair that pets shed. This can be problematic for anyone that has asthma or allergies. However, you can use a pet vacuum like this and HEPA filters to reduce the amount of this in your home environment.

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 Hello!

Relaxing: Cats are wonderfully relaxing. They are furry and warm and are more than happy to curl up in your lap on a cold day. Their purrs are actually healing as well. A cats purr vibrates at 20-140 Hz, which has been scientifically proved to encourage the healing of broken bones.

Stressful: While cats are for the most part a relaxing pet to have around when they are in good health and well behaved, it can also be stressful to own a cat. This depends on the cat’s own temperament. The lazier ones tend to be less stressful to look after. It also has to do with their health. Having a well-beloved pet get sick is bound to stress anyone out! cats4.jpg

 Pixabay Image

Having said all of that, the joys of cat ownership definitely outweighs the trials. Especially when you have a house filled with felines and still want more! MEOW! 😉

Are you a cat person or a dog person? What was your first pet’s name? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Adorable Featured Image By: Pixabay

Oct24

No Horsing Around: Why You Need To Think Seriously Before Buying A Horse

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No Horsing Around: Why You Need To Think Seriously Before Buying A Horse

I feel like every child has a phase where they are just obsessed with horses. I wouldn’t say I was ever completely crazy about them but that changed when I got the opportunity to help kids with developmental disabilities ride horses at a ranch that I live by. Being able to work alongside the children and animals and seeing them connect with each other so much was incredibly beautiful to me. Ever since, horses have been alright in my book and I was lucky enough to go horse back riding in Asheville when I visited in June and September. Such fun!
Do I plan on buying myself a pony in the near future? No. But the people who are should be aware of what they are getting themselves into, like you would do with any pet!

        No Horsing Around: Why You Need To Think Seriously Before Buying A Horse:

The equestrian world is certainly a beautiful thing to be a part of. The lifestyle and sport is one of athleticism, adventure, and competition. But it’s also one that is plenty of hard work and can take up a lot of time. Even as a real horse lover and someone who rides all the time, you still have to think seriously before buying a horse. It can take a long time before you’re on the same lines as any Freddie Vasquez Equestrian reviews. A horse is a long-term investment and a serious commitment. So here are some things to think about before taking the leap.

Time: Owning and looking after a horse requires a lot of time, money, and early starts. Of course, it’s full of enjoyment too, but do remember it is a time-consuming job that requires care every day. Do you have the time to commit to it on top of regular household chores and family, too? If you want some advice on time saving tips in the home, follow the click. They may just help you free up more time to spend at the stables!

Money: Horses are not only expensive to buy but also cost a lot in upkeep. There will be vet bills, especially as horses can develop a lot of different skin diseases, shoeing costs, livery charges, and food and forage to think about. Stabled horses need hay all year round as well as bedding. Horses also require insurance, medications, and new shoes roughly every six weeks. You also need to consider their dentistry bills and a contingency fund for any emergencies that may occur. It’s a pretty big money commitment!

Home: You may be lucky enough to be able to house your horse at home. But most horse owners aren’t. If not, you will have to consider the cost of livery stables or invest in buying an internal stable or mobile field shelter. This will all require a lot of research to find the ideal one. Companies such as Vale Stables are a good place to start if you are looking for a quality equine housing solution.

Testing The Waters: If you are unsure if you have the time to commit to owning a horse a good option may be to lease one out for six months. This will give you an opportunity to see if you are up for the job. You can often get full or partial leases on horses. This arrangement means that you either pay a fixed fee or you pay for some of the expenses that go towards looking after the horse. In exchange for payment, you get free riding time on the horse. If you have a riding school or you work with an instructor ask for their advice. Many stables often have leases available, and she/he may know someone trustworthy and reputable.

Let’s Talk Budget: If you do go ahead with buying a horse, there are still lots of things to consider. First, you will need to know what budget you need. Of course, this will depend on what type of competitive level you want to reach. If you want to own a horse to love and go out on adventures with and perhaps compete in small local events, you should look at a budget of about $5,000. If you want a horse that you can use at higher competitive levels, you should talk to your trainer or instructor to find out what they suggest is an expected price. Temperament is also the most fundamental aspect of buying a horse. Buy one who is well-mannered, kind, calm, and gentle, and you will have a friend for life.

What was your dream pet as a child? What animal did you have an irrational fear of when you were little (my brother was afraid of penguins!)? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Oct14

Kids And Pets: Teaching Your Children Responsibility The Adorable Way

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Kids And Pets: Teaching Your Children Responsibility The Adorable Way

My first pet was a guinea pig way back when in the fifth grade. He was the most precious little thing – black and white with a brown circle around his left eye. My fifth grade level of creativity settled on the name of Oreo and he was simply the best. I have always been really fond of small, furry animals and now the latest battle is getting my boyfriend to get me a bunny! So far I have been unsuccessful but that’s nothing that a little persistence can’t cure! Check out some more ideas for pets that are perfect for children in this article:

Kids And Pets: Teaching Your Children Responsibility The Adorable Way:

Any parent knows the feeling that creeps up when the kids decide that they want a pet. There is a conversation that always takes place between the parent, who is keen and reluctant at the same time, and the kids. You know that there will be early enthusiasm, followed by distraction. You will be left being the one who looks after the pet – which you won’t mind, but there are valuable lessons about responsibility here.

It doesn’t help that the most usual pets are the ones who often require the most looking after. Everyone loves a kitten or a puppy. As they grow, though, they need to be seen through some milestones. Unless you want a misbehaving adolescent dog or a litter of surprise kittens, they need to be “fixed”. And if they act out while you’re away from home, it’s carnage. So to get kids used to looking after a pet, a less high-maintenance one may be a great start.

Birds: Noisy And Full Of Character, But Not Too Much Stress: A tropical bird can be one of the most enjoyable pets for kids and adults alike. It is advisable to find one that is already habituated to humans. Find a hand raised Amazon for sale and look forward to some of the most entertaining years of your life.

Of course, they need to be fed but that’s no sweat. Even the most squeamish kid can find the fun in feeding bits of fruit to a parrot. And be careful of your children trying to teach the parrot rude words. It’s almost inevitable, but the more attention you pay, the less likely there will be “hilarious consequences.”

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Bird is the word

Tortoises: The Anti-Parrot (In Most Ways): If you’re looking for a low maintenance pet, you can’t go far wrong with a tortoise. Your kids may initially be skeptical. You can’t take a tortoise for a walk on a leash, or teach it to beg for scraps. However, they are sociable and patient animals. One major advantage that they have is that they can live to a ripe old age. Anyone who has ever consoled a child through the loss of a pet knows how much of a relief this is.

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TURTLE!!

Guinea Pigs: Full Of Fun And Easy To Handle: If you’re looking for something in the small rodent family, then the Guinea Pig is the ideal pet to get your kids used to furry friends. They’re highly sociable and don’t mind being handled. They also know when they are about to be fed, which leads to an excitable squeak that the kids will adore. And when they’re euphoric, they do something called “popcorning.” On that, we’ll let the video speak – or squeak – for itself.

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So. CUTE!

Of course, you will need to talk seriously with your kids from time to time about how to look after a pet. Naturally, their attention spans are not at the same level as yours. But as they gain the skills to care for a pet, you can think about cats and dogs too. Just watch out if you have a cat and a parrot. Cats like to chase birds, and they may see an adult parrot as the ultimate challenge!

What was your first pet? What kind of pet do you have now? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Apr10

DOGS

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DOGS

Hello everyone and happy Sunday! I hope all of you are having a wonderful weekend! As you guys know, our newest addition to the family was adopted on Valentine’s Day. He’s a little dog named Ollie and he’s seriously the cutest thing on the planet. Every day my family learns something new about Ollie and it has been recently discovered that he’s really afraid of storms.

The first major rainfall in Ohio happened a couple of weeks ago and Ollie was so scared that he retreated under my bed. We didn’t know this, though, and my dad ended up calling my boyfriend and I upstairs from the basement because he couldn’t find Ollie anywhere. We scoured all of the closets, cabinets, and corners and finally Kyle found him curled up under my bed. It was so scary not being able to find him for those few minutes so it was definitely a huge relief when Kyle discovered Ollie’s hiding place.

Now that we know of Ollie’s storm phobia we decided to break out the thunder coat that belonged to one of our past precious pooches. But the trick is, is that the thunder coat is five times too big for little Ollie! My mom and I managed to figure out a way to get the coat wrapped and secured on Ollie and he was then able to brave the next storm like the big boy that he is! Take a look:

^^^ Omg. SO cute.

I love how the thunder coat looks like a little cape on Ollie! He looks like a tiny super hero dog. The picture of me holding him was taken when it was raining and I couldn’t get over how adorable the way I was holding him was. He got himself like that on his own and it was like cradling a fury little toddler!

So there you have it, some cute new pictures of my brave wittle Ollie!! Has anyone welcomed a new pet into their home recently? How do you help comfort a pup that is afraid of storms? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar31

Spirit Animal Award

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Spirit Animal Award

Hi everyone and happy Thursday! Yesterday I was nominated by my blogging BFF, Nida, over at ShopaholicBlogs for the Spirit Animal Award. Nida is seriously the sweetest most fabulous blogger around so make sure you check out her page! I was so excited when I was nominated for this award by my friend because the Spirit Animal Award is one that my page has never received before. I was very curious as to what it was and I’m sure you guys are too so let’s take a look at the rules and then get started:

The Rules:

  • Thank the blogger who nominated you and link back to their page.
  • Post the award picture on your blog.
  • Write a paragraph about yourself and what your blog means to you.
  • If you could be any animal what would it be?
  • Pick and notify ten nominees.

All About lifewithlilred:

My blog is basically my online journal. I love to write and interact with new people and blogging has been an amazing outlet and a great way to meet new friends. All of my posts are a look inside the mind of a very creative and unique gal who has a lot of strong opinions to share. You never know what you’re going to get when you tune into lifewithlilred every day and that’s exactly how I want it. My posts range from discussing beauty and fashion to mental health and everything in between. Lifewithlilred is my safe haven where I can write and create anything that I want and I love going to my laptop every day and seeing what I’ll come up with next!

What Animal Would I Be?

Hmm…Probably a peacock because I’m a colorful person inside and out! And they’re pretty. :*)

My Nominees (I’m only doing three):

Thank you again so much to my darling Nida at ShopaholicBlogs for nominating me for the Spirit Animal Award! That was so much fun. What animal would you guys be? Why? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar15

Akron Zoo Date

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Akron Zoo Date

Hey everyone and happy Tuesday! Last Friday my boyfriend, Kyle, and I had the most fantastic date day. We went out to lunch at my favorite restaurant and then we spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the Akron Zoo. Kyle wanted this post to be called “No Bears? No Problem. A Day At The Zoo With My Boyfriend” but that title was way too long so we’ll just stick with Akron Zoo Date for now! Read up on our lovely day together and be sure to check out all of our zoo pictures, compliments of my beau:

For lunch, Kyle and I went to my favorite restaurant which just so happens to be right down the street from me. It’s called the Saffron Patch and it’s seriously the best Indian food I’ve ever had. I recently got Kyle hooked on Indian food when we went to an Indian buffet on Valentine’s Day and I’ve also been craving it something fierce. So when I got to pick where we were going for lunch, I knew exactly where I wanted to go!

The Saffron Patch has such a great atmosphere and the inside of the restaurant is so beautiful. We had a gigantic and insanely delicious meal fit for royalty. Malai Kofta for me and Tandoori Chicken for Kyle along with Naan and jasmine rice for us to share. We ate until we were stuffed silly and were fearful that we might be too full to walk around at the zoo! However, we were dedicated to our idea of exploring the nearby zoo in my neck of the woods so despite our full bellies, we ventured to the Akron Zoo after lunch.

Here are some of the many pictures that Kyle snapped during our visit:

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The rest of our afternoon was spent saying hello to all of the beautiful animals at the Akron Zoo… Except for the bears, who were all out of their exhibits. Hence the meaning of Kyle’s wannabe title “No Bears? No Problem.” Although we didn’t get to see the grizzly and sloth bears, we still got to see so many amazing animal friends. Friday was slightly overcast in good ol’ Akron, Ohio which made the day even better because it was like having the whole zoo to ourselves.

Some of our favorite exhibits that we saw were the penguins, otters, and the lemurs! The lemurs were so active when we were there and Kyle and I spent a solid fifteen minutes watching them jump about and interact with each other. We liked watching them so much that we went back to visit them again before we left! As you can see in the picture of the lemurs, one of them made it into his little tree house and was observing all of the action that was going on with his friends. This made us laugh so hard because one of our favorite phrases, compliments of Borat, is “king of the castle” and this little lemur was definitely king of the castle/tree house!

One of our other fan favorites were the red wolves who were insanely active! While one ran about, the other was busy chasing his tail. The wolf went around and around so many times and then he would change the direction that he was running in to try and catch that darn tail! The wolves were also howling away at the coyotes that were housed next door which was cool to hear! When the coyotes weren’t too busy howling at their neighbors, they spent their time having a race around the exhibit. They were neck and neck and seemed to be having so much fun! It was so cute. :*)

Kyle and I spent close to two hours walking around the zoo and giving “window love”, as Kyle calls it, to all of the precious animals. We explored until it was almost closing time and then we headed back to my house for some R&R. Our evening was spent watching Horrible Bosses and a few episodes of Curb Your Enthusiasm before Kyle made his way back home for the night. Our entire day was so perfect. We got to go out and do something that we normally wouldn’t do and make lots of fun new memories. Great success!

Our Akron Zoo Date was such a blast and I can’t wait to have another date day with my beau soon! Where is your favorite place to go on a date? What was one of the best dates that you’ve ever been on? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar4

New Puppy Pictures!

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New Puppy Pictures!

Hey everyone and TGIF! We are having so much fun at home with our newly adopted pup, Ollie. So far he loves playing with toys, eating treats, and lots of snuggles! The last time my mom and I went shopping, we picked out a special little Ollie sized toy for him to play with and he’s kind of obsessed. Take a look at some adorable new pics of peanut:

^^^ So precious! ❤

Watching Ollie figure out how to play with his new donkey toy was seriously one of the cutest things of my life. It’s the perfect size and color and Ollie loves to make it squeak and shake him around. Ollie took a quick break from playing with his new friend to pose for the first picture but otherwise, he’s constantly romping about with his buddy and Golden Retriever sister.

Another sweet thing about Ollie is that he loves to be tucked in! The very first day that we had peanut at home, I wrapped him up in a blue towel after he had a bath and he took a little snooze. Now every night that I’m home, I’ll tuck him into a blankie after he’s all settled in for the night. The second picture of Ollie was taken the night that he got his new toy. He brought it with him onto the chair that he likes to sleep on and tucked his buddy under his chin while I covered him with a blanket. Needless to say, my heart was melting!

Every day is a new adventure with little Ollie so definitely expect some more New Puppy Pictures in the future! Do you have any pets at home? If so, what kind and what are their names? I wanna hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb19

Hi! My Name Is…

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Hi! My Name Is…

Hiii everyone and TGIF! Okay, so if you read one of my previous posts, It’s A Boy!, you’ll know that my family recently just adopted a new sweet addition to our home. We finally have decided on a name for our little pup…and “Ollie” stuck! From the very beginning, my mom and I were very pro Ollie but my dad unfortunately was not on board. BUT after almost an entire week of my mom and I calling him Ollie, my dad finally came around! Is he happy about it? I don’t know. But I knew my mom and I had this small victory in the bag when I heard my dad calling him Ollie last night! Score!

My dad snapped some pictures of our little peanut bear and his Golden Retriever big sister, Gem, yesterday so take a look at our dog children:

^^^ Lol, that second picture kills me! #selfie

We are so happy to have our Ollie Bear and Gem and we are extremely thankful to the rescue group, Canine Lifeline, for helping to make them part of the Mushenheim family! Be sure to check out their website and give their Facebook page a like as well! 🙂

Oh, by the way, Ollie says “thank you” to everyone for all of the sweet compliments on my previous post about him! He was so flattered! Happy Friday! Much love. -Sarah

Feb17

It’s A Boy!

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It’s A Boy!

Hi everyone and happy Hump Day! I hope the week is going fabulously so far for all of you. On Valentine’s Day my family said “yes” to opening our home to a sweet baby boy. His name is…Well, he doesn’t have a name yet but he’s the cutest little stinker on the planet. He has four legs, soft fur, a tail, and ears that stand up like a bunny. He’s not a cat, he’s not a tiger, nor an armadillo. Baby No Name is a dog! Take a look at the newest edition to the Mushenheim family:

olly2

^^^ It’s A Boy…Dog!! ❤

My family works closely with the amazing rescue group, Canine Lifeline, so of course we adopted baby bear through them! Our Golden Retriever and peanut’s big sister, Gem, was also adopted through CLL two years ago. Both pups came from a rural shelter in Kentucky and ended up being taken in by CLL a few states away in Ohio. My family has been thinking of adopting a new dog for quite some time and this feeling was intensified when my sister moved to her own apartment, taking her rescue pup, Winston, with her.

After looking through the dogs available for adoption on CLL’s website daily, we finally came across our peanut. On February thirteenth, we took him home for the day and over night to see how he would interact with Gem. We bathed him, cuddled him, and played our time away and by Valentine’s Day, we were smitten. Not only did we adore him but Gem got along with him just fine and is very excited about her new little brother!

Peanut is the most precious little pup and he’s definitely a change of pace from all of the other sweet dogs that we’ve had throughout the ages. We’ve never had a dog as small as him before so it’s been fun being able to pick him up and hold him like the baby he is! The only problem we’ve had thus far is that we can’t come up with a name for the life of us!

From the moment my mom and I picked peanut up on the thirteenth, we’ve been spit balling names like nobody’s business. We are both dead set on his name being “Oliver” but calling him “Ollie” for short. Unfortunately, my dad isn’t quite sold on that idea yet. So now, I need everyone’s help! Asides from doing me a solid and visiting CLL’s website and giving their Facebook page a like, I want your suggestions on what to name peanut! In case you forgot what he looks like, here’s another darling pic of our baby:

olly

^^^ I LOVE THIS DOG!!!!

My family is so proud to have our household be little peanut’s “forever home” and we can’t wait to begin making memories with him! What do you think we should name our baby boy? Do you have a pet adoption story to share? I wanna hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan21

ANIMAL LOVERS UNITE!!!

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ANIMAL LOVERS UNITE!!!

Hello everyone and welcome to a very important post on lifewithlilred brought to you by the amazing work of Ohio rescue group, Canine Lifeline. There is a sweet pup named Sapphire who desperately needs help here in Ohio. I am sending out the Bat Signal and asking all of my readers to meet Sapphire, read her story, share this post, and please donate if you can to help pay for her extensive medical care:

sapphire

Sapphire’s Story:

“Sapphire, the emaciated young stray dog, who came to us from the Mahoning County Dog Warden last Wednesday, was transferred yesterday from Macedonia Vet Clinic to the Akron Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center for an ultrasound since she continued to eat very little and appeared to be declining. Her white blood cell count was through the roof and continually rising indicating some type of infection but nothing definitive could be seen on x-rays. The ultrasound this morning showed some foreign masses in her abdomen so she underwent exploratory surgery there this afternoon. Fabric material was found in her stomach and intestinal tract. Her stomach had to be opened to remove this material. Her intestine had been perforated in 5-6 places from having this material in there for so long and was the source of the infection so 16 inches of her intestine were removed. The fact that she survived 2+ hours of surgery in her emaciated state is truly amazing but we had to try as it was the only thing that was going to save her. The surgeon told us that her prognosis is guarded at this point due to the risk of sepsis and will be touch-and-go over the next few days. We are grateful to the extraordinary staff at the Akron Veterinary Referral Center for taking such good care of Sapphire and giving her a chance at a happy and healthy life. Her vet bills are already in the many thousands of dollars so PLEASE consider making a tax-deductible donation to Canine Lifeline to help us save Sapphire. Online donations may be made on our website at www.caninelifeline.org or a check may be sent to Canine Lifeline, PO Box 25742, Garfield Hts OH 44125. THANK YOU!”

Other than visiting CLL’s website, you can also go to their Facebook page for additional information especially if you would like to get in touch with one of their incredible founders or volunteers. Please, please, please share Sapphire’s story and ANY donations are much needed and forever appreciated. Much love. -Sarah