Category: Holiday

  • Take Your Dog To Work Day  Tips

    Take Your Dog To Work Day Tips

    Work Day Tips

    June 24th is national Take Your Dog To Work Day. If you didn’t get the memo then you will be surprised if you see some furry ones passing by your office or cubicle.

    A 2006 survey by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) found that 1 in 5 companies allow pets in the workplace. Participants said pets make for a creative work environment, improve employee attendance and productivity, and help employees better relate to each other according to Petsafe. “Having a dog, or any pet around has a soothing and mood-lifting effect on people.”

    Here are some tips to make Take Your Dog To Work Day:

    1. Be Prepared – Don’t forget food and water for your dog. Leashes, collars, and poop bags would be a great help as well.
    2. Respect Others – Not everyone might be comfortable around a dog so respect them. Keep your dog around your office or cubicle and let others come and pet your dog.
    3. Cope with their anxiety – Maybe your dog might be anxious and they might not take to being in an office. If this is the case then make them feel comfortable as possible. They might not think Taking Your Dog To Work Day is cute. If you know your dog has high anxiety around other dogs or people then taking your dog isn’t a great idea. Know from the start to prevent anything bad from happening.
    4. Properly discard of lunches – Many dogs love snooping for food in garbage cans or anywhere else they can find it. Assume Fido will consider the wastebaskets under desks at the office or the trash receptacle in the break room as good places to grab a snack — especially after lunch.
    5. Make sure your pet plays well with others – It is likely that you won’t be the only one at your job bringing a pet to work. Some dogs would do fine if they were the only canine in the office. Add a few more, and perhaps some cats, and circumstances could change dramatically. Have an accurate sense of what the workplace atmosphere will be, and determine whether it is a good fit for your pet.

    SOURCE: PetSafe
    COPYRIGHT: Local Value

  • Celebrate the Dog Dad in Your Life this Father’s Day

    Celebrate the Dog Dad in Your Life this Father’s Day

    Father’s Day

    When it comes to Father’s Day, dads have long gotten the short end of the gift stick with the usual boring ties, tools, and T-shirts.

    But when you add pets to the equation, these same old dad gifts become a lot more memorable.

    Active & Outdoors

    Does dad like to go for runs with his dog, walks in the park or try to stay active? Help him track his steps with this paw print pedometer. If jogging is his thing, these running shorts feature paw prints and are not expensive at all. You can alway get the furry one a Chuck It and add to the outdoor fun. You can end up running just as much as your dog trying to keep the Chuck It away from him.

    For less strenuous outdoor activity or for smaller dogs unable to run or walk long distances, consider getting a pet trailer that tags along behind a bicycle or pushed like a stroller. This allows different or smaller pets to spend more outdoor time with dad without the hazards (and make sure to bring extra water in hot temperatures).

    Charitable Gifts

    Make a donation to dad’s favorite animal charity or your local shelter in his name. Shop for gifts from websites that donate to animal charities and causes. If money is a concern, consider taking dad to the animal shelter and volunteering with him for the day. It helps the animal shelter, it’s free and you will feel good afterward. Call the shelter in advance to check on days and times that would be best to visit. You can also round up extra blankets, sheets, pillows and pet items and do a shelter drive-by.

    Memorial Gifts

    If your dad is an animal lover and recently lost a pet, this can be a difficult time. Sometimes the best gift you can give to someone who has lost a pet is your time, patience, understanding and willingness to listen. Another memorable gift people love are pet DNA tests. Those usually run no more than $100 and are usually very accurate.

    SOURCE: Petful
    COPYRIGHT: Local Value

  • Summer Care Tips For Pets

    Summer Care Tips For Pets

    Summer Care Tips For Pets

    Summer has long been a time for vacations, cookouts and pool parties. When the heat turns up, the dangers to pets increase too. To keep your dog, cat, and other furry friends safe, make sure you are prepared.  Whether it’s already summer or just feels like it, here are important pet care tips to keep your dogs and cats safe and healthy.

    1. Never, ever leave your dog in the car. Over the years, however, we’ve come to use the expression for sweltering days that aren’t fit for any dog. The truth is that dogs are more susceptible to the summer heat than we are. They have to wear a fur coat all year round. Whereas we can sweat to cool ourselves down, our pups sweat only through glands on the nose and paws and try to release heat by panting.
    2. Make sure your dog has unlimited access to fresh water. They can’t roll down the windows of a car or turn on the air conditioning. It’s up to humans to make sure that their dogs are comfortable enough and that they can live healthily in the summer heat.
    3. Make sure your dog has access to shade when outside. As I said, they can’t cool themselves like we do so they need those resources, especially on hotter days. Our canine pals need an escape during sunny summer months, so if you plan to let your pet outside, make sure that it can find shelter under a tree shade, a porch or other structure. The heat is not only a danger to your dog, but your pet can also become sunburned if it’s a thin-coated or wire-haired breed.
    4. Take walks during the cooler hours of the day. Remember, your pet has paws and doesn’t have the luxury of shoes and that ground can get very hot!
    5. Keep your dog free of external parasites (fleas, ticks) and heartworms. Consult your veterinarian about the best product for your pet: Every summer it’s smart to consult with your vet to see if there is any seasonal virus going around that could be harmful to your pet.
    6. Consider clipping or shaving dogs with long coats (talk to your veterinarian first to see if it’s appropriate for your pet), and apply sunscreen to your dog’s skin if she or he has a thin coat.

    Source: Petsafe
    Copyright: Local Value LLC

  • Irish Breeds to Bring You Luck This St.Patrick’s Day

    Irish Breeds to Bring You Luck This St.Patrick’s Day

    Irish Breeds to Bring You Luck This St.Patrick’s Day

    St. Patrick’s Day is here and everyone is looking for their lucky leprechaun on the other side of the rainbow with a pot of gold. Since that probably won’t happen, We have rounded up 5 of the cutest Irish dog breeds In honor St. Patrick’s Day!

    1. The Irish Terrier

    Irish Terrier’s are definitely cuter than a leprechaun and they are super smart too! Did you know that this breed used to work as messengers and lookouts World War I? Click here to learn more about the Irish Terrier!

    1. The Irish Setter

    While Irish setters are now famous for their vibrant red coats, that hasn’t always the case. As hunter dogs their owners preferred them to be red and white, so they could see them easily in the field. Soon the breed began to appear in dog shows more than hunting in the field and people went crazy over their red coats. To learn more about the Irish Setter, click here!

    1. The Irish Red and White Setter

    This breed almost faced the brink of extinction when popularity of their all red counterparts above was at an all time hight. Fortunately they were able to be revived in the 1920s and are still around to this day! To learn more about the Irish Red and White Setter, click here!

    1. The Irish Wolfhound

    Irish Wolfhound’s have ties all the way back to 391 A.D. originally being used in war to drag men off of their horses and hunt large game. Times have changed as today the dog is a great family companion competing in tracking and obedience. To learn more about the Irish Wolfhound, click here!

    1. The Irish Water Spaniel

    This is a very special breed of dog to many. Why? because it barely sheds! Among other reasons, the Irish Water Spaniel This breed is one of the oldest and most rare breeds of the spaniel. With its curly coat and fun loving attitude this dog will sure to bring luck to anyone that needs it any time of the year, Not just St. Patrick’s Day.  To learn more about the Irish Water Spaniel, click here!

    Source: Pet Health Network

     

    Copyright: Local Value LLC

  • Valentines Day Safety Tips For Your Pet

    Valentines Day Safety Tips For Your Pet

    Valentine’s Day is almost here and though most people don’t think of safety tips for their pets on this love filled holiday, here are three important tips to keep your furry ones safe.

    • Keep your pet away from Chocolate and Sweets – You should know that chocolate, sweets and pets don’t mix. Don’t leave sweets out where your pet can get to it. Chocolate can cause abnormally high heart rhythms in dogs. Just remember: The darker the chocolate the more deadly it is. Candies contain natural sweeteners that can be fatal to them as well. So lock those sweets up and save yourself a trip to the ER!

     

    • Make sure the flowers for your sweetheart are safe – The aroma of fresh flowers can entice your pets and stir up curiosity to smell or try to eat them. Be careful! Lilies can be toxic to cats and thorns from a rose can be swallowed. Again, something that many cat owners might have thought about so be careful when picking an arrangement and make sure it’s “animal friendly.”
    • Gift wrapping – Usually gift wrapping, bows or ribbons of any kind will attract your pets, especially your cat. When you open your gifts it’s important to clean up all gift wrapping so you don’t give your furry ones the chance to swallow anything that will pose any serious health risks.

    So remember: when you are thinking about your loved ones this Valentine’s Day, don’t forget about your four-legged friends. Taking the extra steps to ensure that your pet is not in danger will save you some vet visits in the future. Our furry friends give us unconditional love and companionship year-round and deserve a show of affection from you, too!

    If you have any concerns about these tips, you should always contact your vet.

    Sources: Petsafe, Pet Health Network  

     

     

  • Cats, Cars and Safety in Cold Weather

    Cats, Cars and Safety in Cold Weather

    Cats seek warmth wherever they can, especially during the cold winter months. One particularly irresistible place for our furry friends is the cozy confines of a warm car engine. Unfortunately,that might not be the most ideal place for them when the car is started, causing injury or death. Help keep our feline friends safe this winter with these great tips.

    Cats – Keep Them Inside

    The best advice regarding your own cat is simply to keep him indoors during the winter. You’ll protect him not only from engine dangers but also from becoming lost, stolen, or injured.

    Check on Them Before Leaving For A Trip

    With your cat safe inside, it should be easy for you to check on her before leaving on any trips.

    Give Them a Warning

    Even with your cat safely inside, neighborhood and feral felines could still be hiding under your car. You can honk your horn before starting your car to help wake up any sleeping cats under or in your engine and give them a chance to escape before starting the car.

    Source: Pet Health Network