Tag Archives: animals

Jul23

Asian Lantern Festival

Posted on July 23, 2024 by lifewithlilred

Hello!!! This past Friday evening was an absolutely magical one because my entire family went to the Asian Lantern Festival at the Cleveland Zoo. This is an extremely popular event that happens every summer and we have wanted to go for years. We finally made it with all of my siblings, nieces, and nephew in tow and that alone made it worth the wait. During our time at the zoo we saw the most incredible inflatable and light displays, acrobatic performances, and of course some animals too. Everything was glorious and I couldn’t stop taking pictures if my life depended on it lol. I wanted all of my darling readers to be able to see everything and even this massive photo dump doesn’t cover it all. Check it out:

I knew we were all in for a huge treat on Friday based on all of the pictures I have seen from other attendees on social media. However, after experiencing the Asian Lantern Festival for myself, I can say that pictures don’t do it any justice. From the moment we walked into the zoo there were spectacular wonders at every turn. From glowing gems in the trees to delicate light up flowers, the displays big and small were beautiful and even the most camera-happy guest (Like me!) couldn’t capture all of it. Every single fixture filled me with delight to the point that it was kid on Christmas Day level. Each moment was joyous and being with my whole family made it even more so. Cameras capture images, but not necessarily the atmosphere of the event and I wish I could bottle it up. The zoo was completely buzzing with families, friends, and partners making their own special memories too.

While every display was gorgeous, I definitely still had my favorites. I loved the unicorn and dragon, the gemstone trees, and the pagoda surrounded by cherry blossoms. Strolling through the light up tunnels also harbored a sense of adventure because you didn’t know what beautiful sight was there to greet you on the other side. Some of the displays like the dragon in the egg, butterflies, and monkeys surrounding the Tree of Life even moved! This was way cool because there were wands that the kiddos could wave to activate the motions – kind of like at Harry Potter world at Universal Studios. These surprises made the night even more magical and I will never, ever forget it!

By the time we were leaving the zoo it was getting fully dark out and my niece claimed that the displays looked even better at night night time lol. She was so right, but we were exhausted after our big evening out and ready to head home all happy as can be!

Does the zoo in your area host events like this? What is a yearly event that happens in your neck of the woods? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul18

What To Consider Before Adopting A Puppy

Posted on July 18, 2024 by lifewithlilred

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What To Consider Before Adopting A Puppy

Adopting a puppy is a delightful experience filled with excitement, love, and a fair share of unique challenges. Bringing home a furry friend is more than just having a cute companion; it requires careful planning and preparation if you want to provide it with a good life. Puppies are like babies – they need attention, training, and the right environment to grow up happy and healthy. So before jumping into this heartwarming journey, it’s a good idea to know what to expect and how to prepare:

Preparing Your Home:

Before your puppy arrives, make sure your home is safe and welcoming. Remove any hazardous items such as toxic plants, small objects, and electrical cords that puppies might chew on. It’s also a good idea to create a designated space for your new friend, which can be a cozy corner with a bed and some toys. Consider getting baby gates if you want to limit your puppy’s access to certain areas too. These gates help keep the puppy in safe spaces, especially when you can’t supervise them.

Puppy Training Essentials:

One of the most crucial aspects of bringing a puppy home is starting puppy training right away. Training helps build a strong bond between you and your puppy and ensures they grow up to be well-behaved. Start with basic commands like sit, stay, and come. Positive reinforcement such as treats and praise works wonders in encouraging good behavior. Consistency is key in puppy training. Make sure everyone in the household is on the same page regarding rules and commands.

Things Your Puppy Will Need:

A new puppy comes with a big shopping list! Some of the things your puppy will need include a sturdy leash and collar, a comfy bed, food and water bowls, and plenty of toys to keep them entertained. Puppies have a lot of energy and need toys to play with and chew on to keep them from getting bored and potentially destructive. High-quality puppy food is a must to ensure your puppy gets the right nutrition for growth and development as well. Consult your vet to choose the best food for your puppy’s breed and size. Lastly, don’t forget about grooming supplies such as brushes, nail clippers, and shampoo.

Health and Vet Visits:

Regular vet visits are essential to keep your puppy healthy. Your vet will guide you on the necessary vaccinations, deworming schedules, and overall health checkups. It’s important to follow through with these appointments to prevent any health issues down the line. Puppies are curious and can get into trouble, so it’s good to know the signs of common health issues.

Building a Routine:

Puppies thrive on having a routine. Establishing a regular schedule for feeding, bathroom breaks, playtime, and bedtime helps them feel secure and understand what to expect each day. Consistency helps in training as well and makes life easier for both you and your puppy. Try to take your puppy out for bathroom breaks right after eating, playing, and waking up. Over time, they’ll learn to associate these activities with specific times of the day.

A new puppy is so exciting!! Get your preparations in place and you will ensure a smooth transition when you bring your new four legged into your family.

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Mar9

Pet Bunnies For Easter: DON’T

Posted on March 9, 2024 by lifewithlilred

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Hello! Apparently, Easter is at the end of the month, which I just learned by looking it up lol. With Easter comes the decision of whether or not to get your children a bunny or another form of baby animal as a pet. I’ll make that decision easier by telling you… DON’T DO IT!! I have been happy to see lots of similar posts on my social media newsfeeds, which means it’s about time for my yearly PSA to say the same. Need more reasons other than it’s simply not a good idea to get an Easter bunny of your own? I’ve got you:

Melvin and Penelope sure are cute right? So cute, in fact, that it’s easy to forget how much work and care that two little balls of fluff require. I have wanted pet bunnies for as long as I can remember, but I am so happy that I got Mel and P as an adult because I knew exactly what I was getting myself into. Remember, bunnies can live for over ten years. That’s a long commitment and chances are a majority of their care will fall on you. Here’s some key points to know about bunnies that will hopefully leave you with getting your kiddos a stuffed animal instead…

Bunnies Are Shy:

If you think that bunnies are going to be happy immediately being cuddled, coddled, and held: You are wrong. I have had Mel and P for a year and a half and it took them a very long time to get acclimated to mine and Johnny’s touch. As of now, Penelope finally doesn’t mind being held and Mel still despises it. Even though Pen tolerates being held well, it’s something I don’t do often because I never want to break the trust that I have so carefully cultivated. Bunnies require a lot of patience to have them be friendly with you and anything less will simply traumatize them.

Bunnies Are Expensive:

You know what doesn’t require constant Chewy orders? A stuffed animal! Bunnies are a HUGE financial responsibility and I spend at least a hundred dollars on them on Chewy monthly – not to mention vet bills. You will need to get your bunnies pellet food, Timothy hay, bedding, toys, and don’t forget weekly trips to the grocery store for fresh veggies. So, in all reality, you are looking to spend closer to one hundred fifty per month. If you can’t commit to that financial responsibility for the next ten years, then don’t get the bunnies period.

Bunnies Are Messy:

Every morning, I spend an hour caring for my bunnies. This includes a thorough cleaning of their litter boxes and any accidents they had outside of it. It can be a really lengthy process. Then, the bunnies will come out to play and that means bedding, hair, and hay everywhere! Johnny and I are constantly sweeping our floors and the amount of dust bunnies after just one day is unreal. If you are not up for forever cleaning up after bunnies, then they are not the pet for you. I’m here to tell you and be perfectly honest – it is never ending.

PS:

All of these things are important to consider, but there is so much more too. Bunnies need lots of exercise to be happy and if you can’t be around to let them roam in a safe setting, they are not living their best lives. They are also very social creatures and it’s best to get them in a pair so they have a companion. Bunnies want your love and attention and if you can’t do the things that make them feel this way, they are not a good choice for a pet.

Having said all of that: Bunnies are absolutely amazing and my life is infinitely better because of Mel and P. However, any animal should not be adopted as a split decision or a gift and most bunnies adopted for Easter will end up back in a shelter. Make this choice wisely and stick to traditional treats for Easter, instead.

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

Feb26

Proud Bunny Mom

Posted on February 26, 2024 by lifewithlilred

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Hello! Johnny and I have had our sweet bunnies, Melvin and Penelope, for a year and three months now. Life is so much better with these adorable, adventurous, mischievous gremlins by our sides and I am amazed at their progress since we first brought them home. Bunnies are timid animals and it took a decent amount of time for them to get acclimated to just Johnny and me petting them. Being held was also a massive no/no for them until just this week. In Penelope’s case, anyways lol:

Working up to holding my bunnies was a matter of trust. Despite the fact that I want to hold them all the time, I held off because I knew that’s not what they wanted and they weren’t ready for it. However, through recent events earlier in the week, I had a feeling the buns wouldn’t completely hate me for it. When I work from home, I am talking to the buns constantly and I try to use key phrases consistently for them to learn how to follow commands. For example, they both know their own name and turn themselves around when they are venturing into non bunny proofed areas.

This is always very impressive to me, but this week Mel and P blew my mind. About ten minutes before I leave for work, I let them know that it’s almost time to go back in their hutch and shortly after I herd them in. Their new trick is going back into their home without me having to get up. The first time it happened, I almost thought it was a fluke. They have been doing it every day since, though, and it is a true testament to how smart they both are.

Knowing that both bunnies have a firm understanding of my voice encouraged me to try picking them up. Johnny and I will hold them on occasion and we never attempt to move them if they are uncomfortable in the situation. This Wednesday, I was able to pick both bunnies up with no problem whatsoever. Melvin is a bit too young and rambunctious to want to be cuddled by his mom for longer than a few minutes. Penelope, on the other hand, was a totally different story. As soon as she was in my arms, she melted and it turns out my girl is a huge couch potato lol. She snuggled up on the couch with me like she belonged there this whole time. I was so proud of her and I knew that waiting until she was fully ready for snugs was one billion percent worth it. ❤

Being a bunny parent is all about being patient and this week of progress has shown that it pays off a thousandfold. Listen to your bunnies and pay attention during your interactions together, they will always tell you everything you need to know!

Do you have any pets? How has being patient helped you as a pet owner? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb19

Bunny Galore Home Decor

Posted on February 19, 2024 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! As you all know, Johnny and I are bunny parents to the sweetest mother and son duo named Melvin and Penelope. They are our little pride and joys and life simply wouldn’t be the same without them scampering about the apartment and being cute. This past week, we took a look at some gorgeous new clothes from my TJMaxx haul. This is all well and good and I love everything I got. However, there were some home decor pieces that I couldn’t pass up and they just might be my favorite things of all! Check it out:

^^^ LOL pardon my shedding husband in the last picture. SMH!!

Have you ever noticed how there is never a shortage of home decor for dog and cat owners in stores? No matter the time of the year, there will always and forever be “dog/cat mom” items to pick from. I have, honestly, never thought about this until this past shopping trip. When my mom and I made our way to the home decor department, I almost died and went to bunny heaven. There were bunny decorations everywhere and it took me a minute to realize this was in preparation of Easter lol. Now, I know that this is truly the bunny owner’s time to shine!

If I had all of the money in the world, I would have bought every single bunny item in the store. They were all just SO cute! The first thing that caught my eye was the topiary bunny on a pedestal and it immediately went into the cart. This was a great substitute because they had a huge topiary bunny that I wanted desperately, but lacked the space for. Next, my mom showed me the beautiful flower print bunny figurine and that also had to come home with me. They had this little statue in a variety of patterns, but the one my mom pointed out was the first one I saw and I liked it the most. I especially like that it makes me think about her when I see it. ❤

The last bunny items I purchased were some adorable decorative plates with images from Peter Rabbit on them. I have several Halloween themed plates from TJs that I just like to have so I was happy to add onto the collection. The pictures are so incredibly sweet and I actually have a few teacups with Peter Rabbit on them to match. Finally, Johnny and I are avid fans of wall art and after some deliberation, I added the butterfly illustration to my cart too. I have quite a few prints of scientific drawings of plants that I got from the Goodwill and this will look perfect hanging next to them. I love the frame and bold colors and, of course, I always think about my niece when I see butterflies – her favorite!

Now that I know when to find bunny themed home decor, you can catch me at the same place, same time next year. Thank you, TJMaxx, for making this bunny mom an extremely happy customer!

Do you change your home decor out every season? What is your favorite season to decorate for? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb5

Sweet Surprises: Painted Parrot Edition

Posted on February 5, 2024 by lifewithlilred

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Howdy!! This past Wednesday, my darling niece, Val Gal, came over for a slumber party. It is something we both always look forward to because it is such fun!! I make us dinner, we have ice cream sundaes for dessert, enjoy a movie, and play, play, play. For our entertainment while we noshed on Mint Chocolate Chip sundaes, Val chose Mulan and I was stoked. That was one of my favorite Disney movies as a kid and we were also eating my favorite ice cream. And I was with my favorite person! As always, our partay was a raging success and a full on rager. I was also presented with quite possibly the sweetest gift ever. Check it out:

Val is a huge fan of crafting. She loves to paint, color, and make masterpieces with Play Doh. For Christmas, I got her a set of animal figurines that she could paint because that is one of her favorite activities. I had honestly forgotten about it when Val told me she brought me something. She handed me a parrot from the set that she painted and said “This is for you, TT. You got it for me for Christmas, but I wanted you to have one too.” Believe me when I say, I completely melted. Out of the mouths of babes!!

My sweet niece is just the coolest kid and Johnny and I cherish the time we spend with her. Val is the best big sister to Raya and is so kind, talented, and absolutely freaking hilarious. That girl keeps me in stitches and I am constantly quoting the ridiculousness she says on the daily. The parrot that she made with love is a testament to what an amazing little girl she is. It was yet another reminder of her thoughtfulness and it really moved me. We are each other’s best friends and she makes my life infinitely better. ❤

My parrot has a prized spot on our knick knack shelf and I smile every time I look at it/think about it. Here’s to many more slumber parties and fabulous memories with my lil BFF!

What is a gift that you cherish? What is your favorite thing that someone made for you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan28

Baby Bunny Cuteness Overload

Posted on January 28, 2024 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! Johnny and I have been bunny parents to our sweet Melvin and Penelope since November of last year. We adopted the mother/son pair from the most wonderful couple and they are our little pride and joys. Six months prior to bringing the buns home, Penelope had a herd of babies and we got them when Melvin was a half a year old. Sadly, this meant we didn’t get to experience teeny tiny Melvin until recently. Some pictures from their original parents popped up on her phone memories and was sent my way and I just about died of cuteness overload. Check it out:

^^^ Nelly girl loves box time!!! 😀

Ever since receiving pictures and videos of my baby Melvin, I have been looking at them constantly. They’re just so adorable and are my go to whenever I need a smile. I obviously couldn’t keep all of this cuteness to myself so here we are now lol. The videos that I was sent were an absolute hoot. The one with Penelope featured her enjoying some leafy greens which is so classic Pen! The way to this mama girl’s heart is definitely through her stomach and she lives for the leafies.

The videos of Melvin, on the other hand, showcased his adventurous spirit right from the jump. The couple we adopted him from has a dog, cat, and a pig too and he loved interacting with them. Other videos featured him zipping in and out of hiding spots and climbing about. Mel is our tiny wanderer and is always looking to explore. I was not surprised in the slightest that he had that exact same spunky personality even in his infancy. In fact, as I type this, he was just trying to figure out a way to hop the baby gate we have set up to keep them from going beneath the couch. Mel is always up to something!

Seeing old videos and pics of Mel and Pen made me love them even more and I didn’t think that was humanly possible. They are simply the best bunnies a gal could ask for and bring so much joy to mine and Johnny’s lives! ❤

Do you know what your pet looked like as a baby? What baby animal do you think is the cutest? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov14

5 Ways To Better Animal Health During Winter

Posted on November 14, 2023 by lifewithlilred

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5 Ways To Better Animal Health During Winter

Animal health during the winter is just as vital as our own. As an animal or pet owner, you have a responsibility to care for any animals at your home or farm. Staying active with animals always helps, but you can also keep an eye out for local wildlife that might need help as well. Take a look at some tips to keep your pets healthy all winter long:

Keep Up with Medical Treatment:

Like humans, animals require medical treatment to stay healthy. If you have any pets, then you will be well aware of the medical problems they can get and the effects these can also have. From simple eye infections to kennel cough and worms, dogs are susceptible to all kinds of issues. Yet even strong horses are also prone to worms, so products like Questplus dewormer are highly recommended during winter as worms occur mostly during December and January.

Stay Active with Your Pets:

Pets need lots of exercise, and this can be easy or challenging, depending on what pet you have. For instance, a rodent will go all day if you provide a wheel for exercise. Yet a dog has no such amenity. You must walk your dog and ensure they get the exercise they need, even in winter. This is harder, of course. But you can bear it with some reliable winter clothing. You can also get some clothing for your dog. This looks amazingly cute but will also help keep them warm.

Shelter Provides Animal Health During Winter:

Almost every animal needs shelter, from mighty elephants to rodents. Livestock such as cows, pigs, and chickens (which are common in backyards) need somewhere safe from the elements. A warm and durable shelter is so important year round, but is critical in the winter. You can click here to learn more about safe shelters for chickens and other small animals if you raise them to promote health and happiness during cold spells. The number of deaths from poor shelter during extreme weather runs into the hundreds of thousands every year. This can be avoided with adequate shelter for the animals you keep. Ventilation, dry bedding, and enough feed are also essential for maintaining animal health.

Help Local Wildlife Stay Safe:

You may or may not have pets. But what you will have is local wildlife. From frogs in the pond to birds, badgers, and foxes visiting your garden, there is abundant wildlife almost everywhere. And every now and then, they need a little help from us. For instance, there are toxic gasses that can build in frozen-over ponds, so check that there is always a hole for these to escape. You can also help birds find food with bird feeders. And be careful of hibernating animals when clearing debris.

Be Aware of the Human Dangers:

Winter is a savage time for humans in some places, and we need ways to get through it. Just maintaining your car can be a nightmare. But it can also be deadly to animals, especially cats. Ethylene glycol, the main component of antifreeze, is sweet, and cats are drawn to it. So, store it correctly and clean up spills. Antifreeze can also leak from your car, so be sure to check underneath the vehicle and clean up any residue that could possibly be an antifreeze solution.

Avoid winter health conditions for your beloved pets with the tips above and stay warm!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Nov4

Happy Gotcha Day, Bunnies!

Posted on November 4, 2023 by lifewithlilred

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Hello everyone!!! November first was Melvin and Penelope’s Gotcha Day and I guess I’m a horrible bunny mom because I didn’t realize it until the second lol. I have been thinking about their Gotcha Day for months and naturally it slipped my mind the day of SMH. In my defense, it has felt like Johnny and I have had Mel and P for forever ever since we brought them home over a year ago. They are the best little bunnies that we could ever ask for and it is such a joy to be bunny parents:

^^^ Lol at this picture of Penelope!

Mel and P have grown so much since we have brought them home. Not in size, but in spirit haha. For the first several months of having them, they were pretty skittish and it took a decent amount of time for them to get fully acclimated to their new setting and owners. These first months were a testament to patience being a virtue as we slowly but surely increased our interactions with them. A year ago, they barely wanted to be pet. Now, they love to be picked up and cuddled while Johnny and I hang out in the evenings. It’s great!

The best part about this year of pet parenthood has been watching Mel and Pen’s personalities finally come out. Penelope is not as shy as we originally thought and is such a cuddle bug. Our clothes are proof of this because she sheds like crazy. The way to her heart has always been with her favorite treats and she will literally melt over an apple lol. Melvin, on the other hand, is all about adventure. He loves to explore and is currently zooming around our bunny proofed zone as I type this. Mel is such an adolescent and doesn’t like to be held for too long so he can get back to playing. Thankfully, he is never too old for lots of pets from his old mom and pop. 🙂

Johnny and I took our fur babies home during a very dark place in my life and they made every day better. It was a comfort to have these two little gremlins to wake up to and return home to, knowing that they depended on me for their care. No matter how bad I was feeling, just being around them always helped to lift my spirits. Even though they can’t clean their own litter box (I wish!), they take care of me too. My mental health has improved one hundred fold because of them and they truly came into our lives at just the right time. I love them so much! ❤

Happy (late) Gotcha Day to my sweet Melvin and Penelope. The most wonderful bunnies in all the land! Johnny and I love you both!!!

Do you celebrate your pet’s Gotcha Day? How has your pet helped you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct28

Are You Ready For A Dog?

Posted on October 28, 2023 by lifewithlilred

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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.

^^^ Pexels Image

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!

Featured Image By: Pexels

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