Tag Archives: pet parents

Mar22

Keeping Your Home Clean – Even With A Pet!

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Keeping Your Home Clean – Even With A Pet!

Are you thinking about bringing a pet into your life? If so, then it’s important to make sure that the right precautions are taken to keep your home in good shape during the process. New pets have lots of exploring to do in their new digs, which can sometimes lead to disaster! Here are some of the key points to consider:

Choose The Right Option:

First, you need to make sure that you are choosing the right pet. If you have a smaller home, for example, you might want to avoid bringing home a larger breed of dog. It could be in your best interest to think about a smaller dog like a Terrier rather than a German Shepherd. Larger dogs can also be more difficult to train and control. You should also think about how much time you are going to have for your pet. Some dogs need almost constant attention or company to keep them happy. If you’re out a lot of the day, then a cat could be a better choice. They are more independent.

Training:

With a new pet, it is crucial to put in the time and effort to train them from day one. There are lots of training options that are going to make your life a little easier in the long run. For instance, you might want to think about training them to chew their toys instead of your furniture. This is particularly important when your pet is teething. If you don’t train your pet, you can’t be mad when they do something you don’t like!

Pest Treatment:

Pets can mean pests in your home. Some of the common pests include fleas and tics. The good news is that this doesn’t have to be an issue. You just need to make sure that you invest in the right pest treatment. A lot of vets will provide this as a standard. As such, you don’t have to worry about it costing you a fortune. Dog flea treatment and other pest solutions are available to purchase directly at a low cost from a wide range of sources.

Cleaning Products:

Finally, you need to make sure that you are choosing the right cleaning products and equipment. If you are bringing a dog into your home, it’s important to be aware that some breeds shed more than others. The best way to stop your home from becoming a furry nightmare is to make sure that you have the right pet vacuum. The best pet vacuum will ensure that your floors are spotless in a matter of seconds. You should also research carpet cleaners if you are worried about your pet causing stains that can permanently damage your carpet. Or, alternatively, consider switching to flooring that is easier to maintain such as laminate tiles.

Bringing a new pet home is exciting! Keep the good vibes in check by preparing accordingly so you can focus on your new friend as opposed to a potential mess!

Featured Image By: Pexels

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Nov26

Morning Hustle

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Morning Hustle

Hello!! The past month has simultaneously felt like an eternity while also feeling like there isn’t enough time in the day to get anything done. Because I spent most of the afternoons making the drive and visiting a loved one at the Cleveland Clinic, I have turned into a very early bird. My mental alarm clock has shifted to waking up around five thirty every morning and, damnit, I am tired of getting the worm lol.

With no time in the afternoon or evening, every morning has turned into a scramble to jam pack as much as I can in before getting to work. It’s not all bad, though, because it gives me extra time to love on my bunny babies and that is a major bright side! My mornings used to be a leisurely time and I could often squeeze in a few episodes of my favorite animes before setting out for the day. Now, my mornings look like this after waking up:

As soon as my alarm goes off, the grind begins by practicing my languages on Duolingo. I am well over a two year streak and I will be a monkey’s uncle if I break it! Next and, most importantly, I rush down the stairs to take care of the bunnies. This can be a timely process because not only do I have to get them fresh food, water, hay, and leafy greens but I typically have to clean their litter boxes and the surrounding area. It is so nasty but necessary lol the things I do for those precious angels!!

Once Penelope and Mel are taken care of, it’s time to to take care of me. Every morning, I do one hundred and thirty push ups and as awful as that sounds, my day would not feel right without it. Then, it is time to shower, get my skin care on, get dressed and return downstairs to my computer. My days would definitely not be complete without creating daily content on lifewithlilred, doing blog jobs, and catching up on work emails. I also have to pencil in some time to get some Christmas shopping done too!

After the online portion of my morning is done, I tidy up the apartment, cook dinner if I have the time, and prepare my belongings for the day. Then, finally before leaving, I take Penelope and Mel out for a jaunt in the apartment for their rumpus time. It is SO cute to watch them explore and is also a primary factor in getting up way earlier than usual. Just like their mom, they need exercise too and I am more than happy to facilitate their recess. ❤

The Morning Hustle has never been realer and even though it’s exhausting, it sure is fulfilling. I am a creature of habit and schedules and now that this has been my life for the past month, something tells me I won’t be sleeping in too late any time soon!

When do you wake up in the morning? Are you an early bird or night owl? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov15

Best Bunny Dad Ever!

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Best Bunny Dad Ever!

Hello!! Johnny and I have had our sweet bunny babies, Penelope and Mel, for two weeks now but it feels like we have had them for forever. They are the most wonderful pets and it is an honor and a privilege to be their parents! The most pleasant surprise of this experience is, easily, Johnny’s transformation into a full on bunny dad. I knew from the jump how much I was going to love them but it is so adorable to see how equally obsessed my husband is with them too:

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^^^ Proud papa!

When we brought our mother and son duo home, it was safe to say that Johnny didn’t seem particularly thrilled about it. However, that changed drastically the following day! When I returned home in the evening, Johnny couldn’t wait to tell me about all of the fun him and the bunnies had together. They spent hours on end snuggling and playing and Johnny even treated them to a banjo concert lol. It was also VERY NICE to hear every wife’s favorite words of “you were right”!!

Johnny, Penelope, and Mel have been best buddies ever since and it’s so hilarious to me. The whole situation is such a classic turn around from “I don’t want a pet” to constantly snapping pictures of them and oohing and ahhing over every single thing the bunnies do. Johnny is always calling Mel his “special boy” and Penelope his “favorite girl” and it melts my heart every time. 🙂

Now that we are the proud parents to our furry little children, our evenings our spent watching them explore our apartment. Johnny actually went to Menard’s and got a bunch of baby proofing stuff so Mel and Penelope can safely go on their adventures. I’m sure everyone at the store thought he was preparing for a new baby so I would have loved to see what they had to say if Johnny told them it was for his bunnies lol. He is truly the best bunny dad ever! ❤

Becoming pet owners has been so exciting and every day with our precious babies brings me so much joy. Having Johnny so clearly feel the same sentiments is the cherry on top!

Has anyone else had a similar experience to Johnny over a new pet? What are some of the nicknames you have for your pets? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov8

Aivituvin Rabbit Hutch Review

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Aivituvin Rabbit Hutch Review

Hello!! Before welcoming my sweet bunny babies, Mel and Penelope, into our home, the thing that I had the most difficulty with was selecting a hutch. It seemed like every single rabbit hutch that I saw online had some great reviews, while others commented with glaring issues. After a lot of back and forth between several hutches, I finally settled on one by Aivituvin and I have no complaints so far. I don’t think Mel and Penelope do, either! Check it out:

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^^^ Don’t mind their mess lol the bunnies are always flinging their bedding!

What attracted me the most to this hutch, other than it being freaking adorable was its size. This hutch was, easily, one of the biggest ones available on Amazon and it was also a fair price minus the expensive shipping rate. While Johnny and I have the bunnies out in the morning and most of the evening, I wanted something big enough for them to be comfortable and have their own spaces. Mel loves hiding out in the top portion of the hutch and you can usually find Penelope chilling directly beneath him on the first floor. When they are not out of their hutch, Johnny and I can hear them running amuck constantly and I am thrilled that they are able to do that. Both bunnies are especially partial to going up and down the bridge too. 🙂

Of course, not all hutches are going to please every single owner and pet and there were some reviews that definitely made me nervous. For example, lots of people said that their bunnies were chewing the hutch up and, luckily, Mel and Penelope have not shown any interest in doing that at all. I have several chew toys and other toys to keep them occupied in the hutch that they play with a lot and I almost wonder if some of the bunnies were chewing at their cage out of sheer boredom.

The only complaint that I do agree with from some of the reviewers is how the bedding gets stuck in the cracks of the pull out trays. Johnny and I experienced this the first time we cleaned the cage and it made it really difficult to pull them out to clean. This is more of an annoyance than anything, though, and we were still able to fully clean the cage. It just took a little extra time and innovation to be able to remove the soiled bedding from the hard to reach areas.

Overall, I am very happy with the Aivituvin hutch and I know that Mel and Penelope are too. It took Johnny less than an hour to assemble and it is sturdy and spacious. If you are considering this hutch, I say go for it – I think your fur babies are going to love it!

What kind of hutch do you have for your rabbits? What are some of your small pet’s favorite toys? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov7

Pet Parent Lyfe

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Pet Parent Lyfe

Hello! It has been one week since Johnny and I brought home our sweet lionhead bunnies, Penelope and Mel, and pet parent lyfe has been treating us fantastically so far. When it was just me and my husband at home, our apartment felt complete. However, now that we have two little fur babies scampering around, our apartment feels so much fuller and a whole lot more adorable:

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Johnny and I both grew up in animal loving households and our families always had pet dogs. I also had a guinea pig and parakeets way back when too. We have been without a pet of our own for several years and I think we were both taken aback by how awesome it has been since the bunnies have been home. Johnny and I both marvel at the fact that we have these little babies greeting us when we wake up in the morning and come home from work. It is also a hoot to hear them running around at night when we are trying to sleep. I have fallen into the habit of saying “settle down, kids” every time it’s bedtime and they are playing away!

The best part of our days now that we have Penelope and Mel is, easily, when we take them out of their hutch, which we do several times throughout the day. Whether it’s just to give them a cuddle or have them frolic in their playpen, it is so nice to have these tangible little bitties that depend on us. Johnny is also very pleased that he now has an audience whenever he plays the banjo! While Miss Penelope is super chill, Mel is constantly on the go and has a love for nibbling on anything and everything – including mine and Johnny’s booties when we’re in the playpen lol… he crazy. 😀

Every morning, I wake up genuinely excited to rush downstairs and begin their morning care routine. This includes fresh water, food, veggies, bedding, and a quick jaunt in the playpen before I leave for work. Johnny, on the other hand, is always eager to get home to our lil buddies in the early afternoon and takes them out immediately to play. Then, when I get home a little later, we have them out for the evening. It is an absolute blast!

With all of the stress and craziness currently happening for me, it is so comforting to have Penelope and Mel. We both can’t picture our apartment without them and it has only been one short week. Pet Parent Lyfe is suiting us very well, indeed, and Penelope and Mel are already more loved than words can say! ❤

Do you have a pet? What is your favorite thing about being a pet parent? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov6

Introducing: Mel & Penelope!

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Introducing: Mel & Penelope!

Hello!! After a lot of preparations, purchases, and research, Johnny and I finally welcomed home our sweet bunnies this past Tuesday. We adopted this mother and son duo named Penelope and Mel from a couple whose adopted bunny had a surprise litter. We are completely obsessed with our furry little children and it has been so much fun having the bonded pair raising a ruckus in our apartment. Check out these sweet angels – the white and brown one is Penelope and the little black one is her son, Mel:

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^^^ Lol, Penelope looks like such a loaf in that last one!

I have wanted pet rabbits for as long as I can remember and vowed to myself that I would get a pair when I moved into my old apartment. This never came to be, however, for a plethora of reasons. For example, there was a definite lack of space at chez moi as well as the fact that the temperature inside was always either stifling hot or unbearably cold. This was uncomfortable for a human let alone animals. And, after Johnny and all of his stuff moved in with me, there was officially no space to be found.

Fast forward to getting settled in our new apartment this past May and the possibility of having a pet was finally a real thing. We now have plenty of space, a functional AC unit, and a great heating system too. After spending some time enjoying our new digs together, I couldn’t think of any reason to not begin the search for a pair of bonded rabbits.

The work was slow going for a while and I, honestly, didn’t even have any supplies but was looking on PetFinder anyways lol. Then, my butt got kicked into high gear when my brother-in-law tagged me in a Facebook post that his neighbor made about looking for homes for their rabbits. I replied and that day, I had Penelope and Mel on hold for me and a hutch and endless Chewy orders on the way. All Johnny and I had to do was wait for everything to ship and get the hutch built. 😀

It felt like a lifetime of waiting until the scheduled date to pick our babies up and they are just as wonderful as we imagined. Penelope is a timid little thing and loves to be held. Her son, on the other hand, is so frisky and just wants to play, play, play! It is such a novelty to spend time in the evening with our pets rather than in front of the TV and we can’t get enough. Every morning, I can’t wait to take them out to play before I go to work and we both look forward to coming home in the afternoon to have them out for the evening. It is everything we ever wanted AND MORE! ❤

Going from petless to pet owners in under two weeks has been a whirlwind but we are so thankful to officially be bunny parents. Keep it posted on lifewithlilred for all of the Penelope and Mel cuteness!

Have you ever had pet rabbits? What are some of your best care tips? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah