They’re family. Pets add so much color and vibrancy to our lives. They make us laugh, encourage us to exercise and play, snuggle with us on tough days and completely steal our hearts.
I wrote this poem in loving memory of my dogs, Shiloh and Chops. They will forever be in my heart. Like an incredible sunset, transforming shades of blue into rich hues of gold, fuchsia and tangerine; a momentary brilliance before the darkness of night takes hold. And like a delicate flower, unfolding each new day […]
A Poem in Loving Memory Read More »
If you walk into a pet supply store, you might find yourself overwhelmed by the sheer number of dog food options – kibble, raw, gently cooked, freeze dried and canned – and the claims that each package makes – Limited Ingredient Diet (LID), ancestral, for all life stages, AAFCO approved, no peas or potatoes, grain
While working in animal rescue, I witnessed how often a pet was surrendered because the pet parent passed away or was no longer able to provide care due to health concerns. We might not want to think about it, but we’re all vulnerable to significant illness, injury and death that could prevent us from caring
Planning for Pet Care Read More »
Providing mental stimulation is important for pets at all life stages. As your pup ages, they might not have the physical capabilities they once had, but you can still incorporate activities into their day that allow for light exercise and mental enrichment. Sniff Walks Rather than focusing on going a certain distance, make sniffing your
Mental Stimulation for a Happier Dog Read More »
As my pups shifted from senior to ancient (I like the term Super Senior!), I began seeking ways to help them feel better physically and mentally. With arthritis gaining a hold and reduced mobility slowing them down, I started taking them in for acupuncture and laser therapy every other week. While these treatments are quite
At-home Massage, Acupressure & Stretching Read More »
When my dogs were younger, we enjoyed practicing basic skills at home, such as sit, stay and leave it. We worked on our skills every day and even took several more advanced classes to learn tricks and intro agility. This training was wonderful for teaching manners, bonding with our pups and exposing them to new
Basic Skills as Strength Training for Long-term Health Read More »
For Chops’ 16th birthday, her vet got her a cupcake toy to celebrate. When my pups were young, we didn’t know what to look for in a veterinary clinic (we’d never had our own pets before) and simply went with the one closest to our house. We got super lucky because the vet and staff
What to look for in a vet or other vet care professional? Read More »
I only make a couple of things for my pups at home. However, I do offer dehydrated and fresh fruits and dried sweet potatoes that I make at home, though there isn’t really a recipe for those. Just follow your dehydrator’s instructions. You can read more on my thoughts regarding homemade dog food in my
My pup Chops has just turned 17 years old, and I can’t help but reflect on all the things I have learned about caring for pets over the years, both as a dog mom and during my time working for a wonderful rescue organization (Paws4ever in NC, check them out!). I’ll be the first to
What I’ve Learned as a Dog Mom Read More »
As dogs get older, they often develop arthritis, which can cause stiffness and general creakiness. The muscle that helps them hold in their pee might weaken as they age. And they seem to sleep harder than when they were young. You might start to notice urine leaks in their bed. They might struggle to get
Managing Senior Dog Mobility & Messes at Home Read More »
