Tag Archives: rescue

How To Prepare For A New Puppy

Standard
How To Prepare For A New Puppy

Adding a new addition to the family is an exciting time. A new puppy is bound to please the children as well as bring joy to the adult’s life. However, it can also be a lot more time and energy-consuming for adults. Although young children can care for and play with the new pup, it will likely not be their responsibility to take them for long walks, train them not to chew the sofa, and feed them at the right hours. If you are new to having a puppy and want some guidance, here are some tips.

Make sure their breeder is reputable:

If you are not rescuing your pup, then making sure that he or she comes from a reputable breeder is key. You will want to make sure that the puppy has had a caring and secure upbringing until they come into your home. Also, having a pup from a reputable breeder will ensure that they are free of illnesses and are as happy as can be. No matter if you are looking for a reputable Havanese breeder or Dachshund, you can find out more online as well as discover the story behind their owners while you do your research.

Prepare your home:

Before your new pup enters the home, you will want to set up a dedicated sleep and eat area so that they can settle in as soon as possible. Your dog might have had a long journey and need some food when they arrive. Thus, if you have somewhere ready for them, then they can eat and feel at home quickly. An area that is secure and warm is the best. You will want them to feel safe when they first arrive at your home and it will help them settle in.

Get their vaccines:

When a pup is young, they will need vaccines before they head out into the world. No matter if you plan to explore with your dog or go hiking with your dog, they will need to be protected from germs and disease. You will be able to attain these vaccines at any vet to help best protect your pup.

Consider puppy gates:

Puppies have a tendency to roam around a new home and explore. It is within their nature to be playful and this may result in them chewing through your favorite shoes and clothes. Putting up puppy gates will help limit them to certain areas. Gates are a great way of training the pup about where they should and should not go in the house. It will also keep them safe and away from any dangerous rooms or objects.

Likewise, you should make sure that your gates and fences are secure in the garden. Your pup will love to play in the yard and if you leave them alone for five minutes and the fence isn’t secure, you could put your puppy’s safety at risk.

Follow the tips above to keep the new addition to your family protected and happy!

Featured Image By: Karen Warfel from Pixabay

15 Cool Apps For Pet Owners

Standard
15 Cool Apps For Pet Owners

Whether you’ve got dogs, cats, or reptiles, being a pet parent is a lot of fun. Of course, there’s plenty that you need to organize to keep your pet healthy and happy. Whether it’s games, health support, or training, these apps have got lots of handy features:

Apps for cat owners:

Cat Clicker Training:

Cat Clicker Training is a simple app that you can use to train your kitty. All you have to do is touch the paw on the screen, and you’ll hear your iPhone make the clicker noise. You can change the paw to different colors and adjust the background to white or black. Alternatively, you can prompt your cat to touch the screen of the iPad or iPhone using its own paw. The app provides instructions about training your cat, including photos to guide you.

Relax My Cat:

Relax My Cat is an app that offers relaxing music for cats! All of the music is composed using sound techniques that are calming for felines. Some cats have problems with sleeping or anxiety. If your cat experiences this, then Relax My Cat is the perfect app for you. Perhaps your cat gets scared by fireworks or construction work? If so, you can use this music to calm it down. The music can be used to comfort your cat when it’s unwell or to ease hyperactivity.

Fish For Cats:

Fish For Cats is a fun-filled game for your cat to play! It’s simple, all you have to do is choose a level and then you can watch your kitty start to chase the fishes. All you need is an iPad and a flat surface to place it on. There are four levels to explore and plenty of sound effects to keep your cat engaged! Every time your cat catches a fish on the screen, the score goes up. To ensure that your cat has a super fun playtime, try the Fish For Cats app.

11 Pets (Pet Care):

The 11 Pets Pet Care app is an excellent resource for families with pets. The app offers features to support you with all your pet care needs. A few of the best features include:

  • Reminders for deworming and vaccination
  • Access and store medical history for your pet
  • Share data with your pet sitter or your veterinarian
  • Set reminders for food and medications

Taking care of your pet isn’t just about vet trips, it’s about providing your pet with everything it needs. For more info about the best pet accessories check out at home for your pet.

Chewy:

Chewy is an app to make pet food shopping easier. Using this application, you can browse through thousands of pet supplies and food brands. The app helps you to research pet foods, find your favorites, and track orders. There are plenty of benefits to using the Chewy app, including.

  • Get free shipping when you spend over $49
  • 24/7 support from the customer service team
  • Choose from a huge variety of brands
  • Set up auto purchases so you don’t run out

Whatever kind of pet you own, Chewy can help you to find the perfect pet food. It’s important to provide your pet with a healthy and nutritious diet.

Apps for dog owners:

Doglog:

Doglog is a great application to monitor your dog’s health. Using the app you can track weight, temperature, and eating habits. You can also log exercise activities, medicine, and vet appointments. The app provides plenty of handy features including analytics, photos, and reminders. You can create a health schedule, plus access various other benefits including:

  • Get reminders about your training appointments or vet trips
  • Share info with your dog sitter and vet
  • Record activities linked to the health of your dog

With so many neat features to take advantage of it’s easy to keep your dog healthy and happy.

Bring Fido:

Bring Fido is an app that helps you to search for places that are dog friendly – it could be beaches, hotels, restaurants, or other attractions. You can book these places using the app. The search function allows you to specify distance, price, or rating. Using Bring Fido, you can plan the perfect day with your dog. If you have any questions, there’s a handy chat option where you can access expert advice.

Pet First Aid App:

The Pet First Aid application was made by the Red Cross Foundation. The app provides plenty of expert advice to support the health of your dog. You can access lots of content including videos, guides, and quizzes. There’s advice about emergencies, administering medication, and more. You can also get behavioral advice to help you with your dog training. Need to find a local vet or a pet-friendly hotel? The Pet First Aid app can help you with all this too.

GoodPup:

GoodPup is a dog training application where you can get training sessions via video call. There are a variety of dog training courses to choose from to suit your dog’s needs. It’s easy to set goals, track progress, and keep in touch with your trainer. When you train your dog at home, this can help them to feel at ease and relaxed. Positive reinforcement training can help your puppy to get into good habits and keep making progress. Choose from options such as basic commands, potty training, socialization, crate training, and behavioral training. It’s best to train your dog as early as possible to help them get into good habits.

Rover:

Rover is an app for dog walking and dog sitting. The app allows you to search for expert dog carers in your area, whether you need overnight care or an afternoon walk. The app allows you to track your dog’s walk, receive photo updates, and make secure bookings. All sitters on the Rover app are reviewed and pre-approved by the team. According to Rover, 95% of reviewed Rover bookings receive a perfect 5-star rating. It’s easy to message your dog sitters using the app, whether you’re at home or on the go.

General apps for pet owners:

Petcube

Petcube is a ‘pet home camera’ that includes a microphone, video, and laser point toy. All of these features allow you to watch your pet when you’re away from home. You can use the camera to play with your pet when you’re away or take fun photos. Petcube also allows you to interact with animals in pet shelters using your smartphone. It’s an interactive community where you make friends with fellow animal lovers and follow their social updates.

My Pet Reminders:

My Pet Reminders is an app to help you track your pet’s medication and vet appointments. First, you create a profile for your pet. The next step is to input your medical info, vet trips, and training appointments. It’s important to stay on top of your pet’s health schedule. No matter which animals you have, the My Pet Reminders app makes it easy to do so.

Kriddr Pet Parent:

The Kriddr Pet Parent app works by connecting pet owners with shelters and service providers. There’s also a fun feature called ‘bark recognition software’. The app records your dog barking and then suggests what your dog needs. The bark recognition feature is based on millions of dog barking samples. All the samples have been analyzed to look for patterns. You’ll have plenty of fun testing out the bark feature with your dog!

We Rescue App:

The We Rescue App can help you to find animals to adopt, whether you’re looking for cats, dogs, scaly animals, or unusual pets. There are 70+ search filters to choose from and it’s easy to search by breed. The app provides detailed information on every animal so it’s easier to make your choice. You can search using categories such as size, age, gender, breed, location, and more.

Lost Pet:

The Lost Pet app works as an announcement feed about pets that have gone missing. The app was designed to collect useful data to help owners find their pets. Lost Pet analyzes several different social networks and creates one feed for lost animals. Simply add a lost pet announcement and the app will post it to various social media groups. There are several helpful features that you can use including:

  • Read all the nearby lost pet announcements
  • Report a lost pet.
  • Read informative articles for support.
  • Create a lost pet leaflet to print.

All of the above apps can help you to keep your pets both happy and healthy. With the help of these tools, you’ll create the perfect lifestyle for your beloved pets.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Daily Dose Of Cuteness

Standard
Daily Dose Of Cuteness

Hello!! I don’t know about you guys, but there is never a time for me when I don’t want to see pictures of someone’s pets. Dogs, cats, rabbits, lizards, fish – I don’t care what it is, I want the 411. Their names, funny stories, which rescue organization they came from, the list goes on! My life would not be the same without my family’s sweet rescue dogs, a tiny Terrier mix named Ollie and a Golden Retriever named Archie. They are both very good boys… Actually, they’re the best and here they are:

DD3C4DB7-F097-4475-9A2F-0A06E472B18325124C0E-D630-4BCD-A92C-6F028504E59C

My family will always be eternally grateful to the rescue organizations, Canine Lifeline and One Of A Kind Pets, for giving us the opportunity to care for both of our boys. Ollie is our more mellow of the two, who loves napping, playing with squeaker toys, and stepping out in his finest bandanas! On the other hand, we have Archie, our rambunctious puppy who is a HUGE lover of playing, kisses, and chewing all of the things! Both of our pups have such unique personalities that are so different from each other, but they get along just fine. 🙂

In my household, we are passionate about animal rescue and are so thankful to all of the amazing organizations for their hard work that saves countless lives. Nothing makes me happier than playing tug of war with Archie or snuggling up with little Ollie while he snoozes. The connection between a pet and its owner is so therapeutic as it is such a pure form of love and I am so over the moon about both of our angels.

Ollie and Archie send a virtual tail wag your way with the hopes that their precious pics puts a smile on your face today! ❤

What kind of pets do you have? What is your favorite animal? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Top 5 Dogs For Small Spaces

Standard
Top 5 Dogs For Small Spaces

Getting a dog is a big step that requires commitment and dedication you have to be ready for. Some of the factors on the dog’s side you should consider include age, size, nutrition, and training requirements while sorting out financial status and space on your end. The fantastic news is that even if you have a small space, some specific breeds will fit you perfectly. But size is not what only matters here; how loud, friendly, and energetic is the dog? Take a look at these five breeds that can thrive in small spaces. Also, note that they are all super cute, so choosing one might be hard:

1. Bichon Frise:

This dog breed does not usually grow taller than a foot even and weigh about fifteen pounds. This means that they won’t take up much space on the couch and in the apartment. Even though they require daily exercise, they also love to play, and so are very energetic. These hypoallergenic cuties learn very fast and are very friendly, making them well behaved with company.

small

Angel!

2. Boston Terrier:

This is one of the short-haired breeds which go well in apartments. They usually do not grow taller than a foot and a half and are also very lively and energetic. They are called the ‘American Gentlemen’ for a good reason; they are gentle and generally wonderful to be around. Once they’re well-fed and exercised, they’re content.

small1

Another angel!

3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel:

If you love the silky dog breeds, then you’ll enjoy this one. They love going on walks and lounging on your lap when you’re ready to relax. They weigh thirteen to eighteen pounds so space is not a problem at all. In fact, their preference to stay attached to their owners even makes small spaces good for them. The only issue is that they are quite hard to train, but a lot of outdoor time and positive reinforcement can solve that problem fast.

4. French Bulldog:

These dogs are compact and engage in very minimal activity, two reasons why they’re perfect for small spaces. They also very rarely bark, which is a good thing if you have neighbors. This is also beneficial because they will only bark when there is a reason to which is a characteristic good watchdogs have. Daily brisk walks are enough to keep them in shape, and so it’s not a problem if you spend most of the time inside.

5. Havanese:

This 10-pound dog is another favorite among apartment dwellers because not only is it cute, but it also loves to stay indoors. They are clingy and love to play with their owners, and so it is easy to keep an eye on them.

Knowing the type of dog you can have for your space will save you a great deal of trouble. You will have to take care of them like any other pet, paying attention to their inner and outward health. You can protect them from parasites with https://it.nexgardspectra.com/ and visit your vet for regular check ups.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Creating A Forever Home For A Rescue Dog

Standard
Creating A Forever Home For A Rescue Dog

If you are considering getting a dog, you may want to look at getting one from a rehoming center. Dogs can bring joy to your home, and the right dog will feel like a part of your family. But, with so many dogs being given up for various sad reasons, there are plenty of sweet pups that need new loving forever homes, and you may be the people to give that to them. You can start with the following tips:

Looking For Your Rescue Dog:

Many rescue centers will list the dogs that they have on their website. With a brief description and photo, you can see if there are any that catch your eye. The best way to find the right dog, though, is to pay a visit to the rescue center and see all of the dogs that they have to see which appeals.

It may take several visits to find the right dog for you, but you do need to remember that you are keeping that dog for life, so make sure that they are the right dog before committing.

Things To Keep In Mind:

Sadly, some dogs will have had a rough time before going into the center. We may never know their histories or the circumstances that brought them there. You will need to keep this in mind, as a rescue dog may have some anxieties or be nervous around certain people or animals. They may have also developed separation anxiety which can become difficult to manage.

With the help of a behaviorist, however, it is possible to help many dogs with emotional problems and in many cases, after a few months of living with you, they will adapt and become less anxious.

Shopping For Your New Dog:

There are a lot of things that you’ll need to get for your new dog. A bed, lead, treats, and more. Finding the right food is going to be important. Check out Freshpet dogfood reviews to find healthy food that your dog will enjoy. Picking the right food is crucial, as many dog foods are like human food, and are packed with preservatives and fat. Keeping your dog’s diet healthy will help to reduce the chances of illness later in life.

Letting Your Dog Settle In:

It can take a few months for your rescue dog to fully settle into your home. During this time, they may challenge boundaries. It is important that you use positive reinforcement to train your dog so that they learn how to behave in your home and when you are out together. This means rewarding your dog when they do something that you want them to, rather than telling them off when they have done something wrong. Teaching your dog about the right way to behave ensures that they are happy and are able to listen to you. Consider enrolling your dog in some training classes to help you.

Adopting a rescue pup will give you and your pet a whole new lease on life – congrats on welcoming your new furry friend into your home!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Flashback Fun

Standard
Flashback Fun

Hi everyone and happy Sunday! When I talk about my dogs to anyone who will listen, nine times out of ten, I end up showing them the pictures of my rescue pups dressed up for Halloween. Ollie, my terrier mix, and Gem, our Golden Retriever, make up a huge part of my happiness. And, when I think about them, I often flashback to their Despicable Me minion costumes for Halloween this past year:

halloweenn1halloweenn

I LOVE the polar opposition in these pictures between my babies, because Ollie is just going about his day as normal. Gem, on the other hand, looks freaking PISSED. I am that crazy dog mom who would have pictures of them in my wallet if I could. But, when dogs are the topic of discussion, showing these pictures from my iPod always gets a laugh – and hopefully it makes you laugh, too! It’s just a fun party trick of mine, you know?

Do you dress your pets up for Halloween? Are they like Ollie or Gem when it comes to wearing clothes? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Four Legged Friend Friday

Standard
Four Legged Friend Friday

Hey everyone and TGIF! With Halloween now behind us, I had to dedicate one last post to some spooky fun on lifewithlilred until next year. My two beloved rescue pups, Gem and Ollie, got a little more than they bargained for this Halloween when my mom and I decided that dressing them up as Despicable Me minions was the way to go for our neighborhood’s trick or treat:

halloweenn1.jpeg

As you can see, Ollie doesn’t seem to care too much about his new side job as one of Gru’s pill shaped sidekicks.

halloweenn.jpeg

Gem, on the other hand, couldn’t wait to get out of her costume immediately!

I hate to say that I was laughing at poor Gem’s expense, but oh my goodness – I could not stop laughing. Despite how cute she looked in her minion garb, nothing was cute about her STINK EYES that she gave to literally every single member of my family as we tried to snap some pictures. Gem is a really emotive dog facially and her death stare, as seen above, says that she was not too pleased about her costume.

Even though Gem was a total diva while we prepared her Halloween wardrobe, she definitely perked up once the trick or treaters started arriving at the door. Gem and Ollie enjoyed all of the attention and were happy to have made all of the little kids laugh. But, best believe, that they were happiest of all once their minion costumes came off and were retired to the closet until next year!

My Four Legged Friends were an obvious hit this Halloween and they sure are cute – costumes or not! Did you dress up your pets this Halloween? What should Gem and Ollie be next year? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Translating Your Love For Animals Into Action

Standard
Translating Your Love For Animals Into Action

Mark Twain famously said: “The more I learn about people, the more I like my dog”. While this might be a little harsh as a statement, there are a lot of people who could agree with Twain’s words. In fact, there are plenty of famous people who share Twain’s opinion from Marilyn Monroe, who found that only humans bit, to Elton John whose best man at his wedding was his dog. While preferring dogs to humans might seem a little off, there are clear advantages in developing a bond with animals. They are reliable, they don’t judge you, they don’t have any hidden motive, and, more practically, they provide friendly company. As an animal lover, you can make the world a better place for our furry, feathery and scaly friends by doing some (Or all!) of the below:

Change an animal’s life:

Do you know how many pets are abandoned every day? Rescue centers are filled with found, lost, and lonely pets who need a little help to find a better life. Some of them have been through horrendous situations such as abusive owners. There’s no denying that adopting an animal from a rescue center can make all of the difference. Of course, this isn’t a path for the faint-hearted, as some pets will need a lot of patience and support to trust another human being, so do make sure that you are informed about their backstory. But don’t despair, the effort is worth it! More often than not, animals with the worst stories are the kindest. They are quick to recognize your intentions and show their gratitude. If you want to start with an easier case, you could adopt an old pet as they tend to be peaceful, easy to manage, and just as cute.

Share your opinions and be proud of them:

Sometimes, all it takes to make a difference is to make your opinions clear and known —  respectfully, of course! You can talk to your friends about your beliefs about animals, for example, and maybe encourage them to follow your model. You could opt for a more passive conversion by wearing message tees to promote animal rights and animal pride — discover more fashionable alternatives over here. Sometimes nothing makes a stronger impact than a tee that says how much you love your dachshund. It’s fun, playful, and weirdly unforgettable and that’s what matters!

Become a wildlife’s hero:

If you want to turn your love for animals into something meaningful, you can join some of the wildlife actions for the protection and safety of all animals. You don’t need to be a multi-millionaire to make a difference. Adopting a wild animal through the WWF can help to fund wildlife protection. If you’ve got time, you can volunteer with zoos or organizations to help clean beaches and rescue animals. Buying responsibly also means that you can support companies that don’t pollute the environment and endanger wildlife. So what’s stopping you?

Being an animal lover is not just about watching kitten videos on YouTube. It’s a matter of doing your share to help animals and promote the cause. By adopting a dog in your neighborhood or choosing to donate to save tigers in the wild, you turn your love into a valuable action.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Monday Update: Canine LifeLine Edition

Standard
Monday Update: Canine LifeLine Edition

Good morning everyone and happy Monday! I had a lovely afternoon yesterday with my mom and sister. We all volunteer for the rescue group, Canine LifeLine, and each of our schedules worked out so that we could go together and walk some of the pups that are up for adoption. It was a beautiful, dog-filled time and it was nice to be able to walk the puppers all together for the first time in the years that we’ve been volunteering.

Canine LifeLine is the rescue group that both of my sweet pups, Gem and Ollie, were adopted through. CLL brings dogs up from rural shelters (both of my dogs are from Kentucky) and provides them with medical treatment and a new shot at life in Ohio. I believe so strongly in the work that this group does and it only makes sense to try and give back to them as often as we can since they made our home complete with our two beloved pets.

gem1olliegemollie4

^^^ My babies! ❤

If you are located in Ohio or have family and friends here that are yearning for a rescue pup, please direct them in Canine LifeLine’s way! There is sure to be a sweet dog for you and you might just run into yours truly! And, of course, if you have no Ohio relations, then we always accept donations too. 🙂 #shamelesspromotion

So there you have it, this week’s Monday Update: Canine LifeLine Edition! Do you have a beloved pet at home? Who else is a proud dog mom or dad? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Rabbit Owners: HELLLLLP!!!

Standard
Rabbit Owners: HELLLLLP!!!

Hi everyone and happy Thursday! For those of you who don’t know, I desperately want a pet rabbit. A black, female, Netherland Dwarf bunny to be specific. For the past year or so, I’ve been toying with the idea of getting my very own, adorable, precious pet and now I feel like I’m ready to take the plunge and welcome a sweet little girl home. I live in Akron, Ohio but I am willing to travel up to two hours to a reputable rescue group, as it’s very important to me that my lil furball is a rescue. If anyone has any groups in mind, as well as tips for the new rabbit owner – PLEASE LET YOUR GIRL KNOW!!

THANKS!!!!! ❤

Featured Image By: Bunnies Are Us