Typist: Bethany Natasha Katarina II was my first best friend. My dad took me to pick her out just before Christmas when I was six years old. Natasha was a stunningly beautiful Siberian husky, she knew it, and she was snooty to everyone in the world but me. To me she was everything... my first puppy, my first roommate, my first love and my first loss. And she will forever be my greatest teacher... from her I learned that loving a dog is life's greatest gift. |
A to Z Challenge: Yesterday was M for Money: Be The Change For Animals, Spend Your Money Where Your Heart Is, tomorrow is O for One-On-One: 7 Tips On How To Make Individual Time For Each Pet In A Multiple Pet Household.
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My most recent personal sacrifice for the greater good of animals has been to stop competing in American Kennel Club (AKC) events with my dogs. I used to spend well over $1,000 a year on AKC dog sport events. But with the AKC's continued support of puppy mills, I simply cannot justify the price of the lives of poorly treated breeding dogs simply for me and my dogs to have fun. And competition dog sports are very fun. I already miss the thrill of being in the ring, the joy of working seamlessly side by side with my best friend, the camaraderie of fellow passionate dog enthusiasts. However, there are many other organizations that hold dog sport events. Alternative dog sport organizations don't make tens of millions dollars a year from supporting questionable dog breeders and spend some of their $100K political lobby funds to rally against animal rights legislation the way the AKC does. I look forward to spending my money elsewhere. The AKC isn't going to crippled my the lack of my money flowing into their massive bank account but at least I know that my hard earned money isn't supporting puppy mills. Feeling good about where my money goes is sometimes the best I can do to help change the world for animals. For this reason, I am always examining where I spend my money. I avoid products made in China or Japan. I never get a caffeine fix where civet coffee is served or sold. I don't buy food containing palm oil. I, like many others with the resign to help animals, do my best to spend my money where my heart is. I know that if everyone did, there will someday be no more money in the pockets of those who treat animals poorly. And that is a someday worth sacrificing for. A to Z Challenge: Yesterday was L for Looking: Easter Egg Hunts For Dogs, tomorrow is N for Natasha Katarina II.
Want to make an Easter egg hunt for dogs? Here's how:
Wilhelm, Brychwyn and Huxley are always disappointed when it is time to put the plastic Easter eggs away, even if it just for the day. Easter egg hunts with dogs are such great exercise and mental stimulation for the dogs, I know that's why they never want the game (or the treats) to end. I actually get a little sad at the end of dog Easter egg hunt season too. I like the egg hiding exercise and mental stimulation I get plus the bonding time with the dogs just can't be beat. But next Easter always comes soon enough!
Portions of this post were originally published ©BethanyGO Designs on March 31st, 2013.
Do you have any favorite springtime games you play with your dogs?
A to Z Challenge: Saturday was K for Kit: Updating Our Perfectly Complete Do-It-Yourself Pet First Aid Kit, tomorrow is M for Money: Be The Change For Animals, Spend Your Money Where Your Heart Is.
Typist: Bethany Knowledge about the need to have a complete first aid kit for dogs has definitely increased around the pet community since I began my search for the perfect first aid kit last year. Yet there is still no commercially made pet first aid kit that has everything necessary to be prepared for a multitude of emergencies with dogs. There are dog first aid kits that have some of what is needed for a wound but not everything. While other kits have a few items that could save your dogs life in case of poisoning but still not everything. I continue to be confident that my choice for a do-it-yourself dog first aid kit was the best way to be prepared for any pet emergency. I included everything in my pet first aid kit as recommended by The Humane Society, the AVMA, Vet Medicine at About.com, the Red Cross and Dog First Aid: A Field Guide: Emergency Care for the Hunting, Working, and Outdoor Dog. The first aid kit I made has many human first aid items as well. Perhaps my favorite part of my complete dog first aid kit is that it is a perfect travel kit that includes a smaller, portable hiking or first response kit. In preparation for spring travel season, I recently went through my canine first aid kit, checked expiration dates (items in bold) and added a few new items (items underlined.) So while you cannot buy a perfectly complete dog first aid kit, you can make one. Here's how:
Thankfully, I have only used two items from my first aid kit, the tick remover and the antiseptic towelettes. I replenished the antiseptic towelette supply and I made sure the grooming wipes and all other wipe items in the Outdoor First Aid Kit were all still moist. I checked on the integrity of the zipper closure bags and inspected all items for damage. Surprisingly, after almost 10,000 miles of travel in less than a year, only the Chloraseptic Spray bottle had managed to slip it's protective lid. The lid was not damaged but I added tape to secure it for the next 10,000 or more miles. We all really look forward to those future miles to come and with our perfectly complete first aid kit, we are ready for anything. Cascadian Nomads were not asked to or paid to promote any businesses or organizations mentioned and linked in this post. We paid for all mentioned and linked products ourselves and we are in no way compensated for clicking on the posts links we've provided. We're just sharing information or stuff we like! Always consult a veterinarian about the nature of your dogs specific first aid needs and physical limitations. We are not veterinarians or experts and are just sharing what we hope are helpful dog first aid kit tips. The Cascadian Nomads highly recommend taking a pet first aid and CPR class before going on any excursion where administering pet first aid may be necessary. A to Z Challenge: Yesterday was J for Jumps: Enjoyable Exercise For Any Dog, Anywhere, Anytime, tomorrow is Black & White Sunday and on Monday L is for Looking: Easter Egg Hunts For Dogs. |
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