by | Jun 25, 2017 | Pets |
Happy Birthday Vinny!
Today we celebrate the birthday of Vincenzo “Vinny” Adonis Tiny Tuxedo! Our little Vinny has grown into a sweet and lovable collie. Back in 2007, when our collie, Israel, crossed over the rainbow bridge, our life felt incomplete. My wife had grown up with collies and she knew that she always wanted one in her life. We had wanted to bring another collie in our family, but it proved to be difficult to find one in our area. In the fall of that year, I had been searching the classified ads and found a collie breeder who had a couple of collie puppies available. After telling her we were looking for a tri-collie, she sent us a photo of “Tiny Tuxedo”, shown below. Who could resist such a cute face!
The face we fell in love with!
After deciding we had to have “Tiny Tuxedo” in our family, my wife and I travelled over four hours to meet the little guy and his family. Not to far from the Quad-Cities, we found ourselves in the middle of nowhere in northwest Illinois at a farm with collies everywhere — Lassie collies, tri-collies, short-haired collies, and blue-merle collies. It was amazing to see so many collies at one time. “Tiny Tuxedo” took to us immediately. He melted our hearts and we knew he was the right one for us. We brought him home and named him Vincenzo Adonis. Vincenzo because we have a desire to visit to Italy and Adonis because he is such a pretty boy. We call him Vinny!
He has grown into a sweet, adorable and kind dog. He loves his big brother Gio and follows him everywhere. He is loyal and devoted to his humans. He is compassionate and knows when we need some doggie love and attention. has He enjoys being outside; chasing squirrels and barking at everyone. He is not fond of thunderstorms and loud noises; but that doesn’t stop him from enjoying life and bringing joy to our life.
If you looking for a dog breed that is kind and gentle; sweet and devoted; full of life and excitement; you will want to consider a collie. Vinny is proof that you will not find a better breed. He is a dog that works well for any family
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by | Jun 25, 2017 | Pets |
When you bring a puppy home for the first time, all you’ll want to do is shower them with affection, or just sit back and watch their funny antics. Though puppies are certainly very cute, caring for one properly is no walk in the park (pun intended!) If you’re going to be bringing a puppy home in the near future, here are some important tips for being the best owner you can be…
Vinny having fun in the backyard!
Get Housetraining Done ASAP
Puppies, unfortunately, aren’t all that receptive to wearing diapers, so housetraining should certainly be a priority once they’re part of the family. While there’s a lot of helpful advice out there for housetraining, there’s no really easy way around it. It’s going to take a lot of patience, positive reinforcement and planning. It’s also not a bad idea to stock up on carpet cleaning supplies, as there are going to be accidents here and there. Until your puppy’s been vaccinated, it’s best to find a spot outdoors that’s inaccessible, or near enough, for other animals. This will help to reduce the chances of any viruses and diseased spreading. When they do their business outside, be sure to give a lot of positive reinforcement, and try to refrain from scolding him or her when they have any accidents indoors. This isn’t as helpful as it was once believed.
Feed Them Right
Like a child, your puppy’s body is going to be developing in some very important ways in these early years, which is why it’s important to pick out food that’s made especially for them. Start reading up on the nutritional requirements for your puppy, and checking the packaging to make sure you’re getting the best food for them. The best treats for puppies can also be very useful for reinforcing good behavior! While small and medium sized breeds of dog can start eating adult food after they’re roughly a year old, larger ones should generally stick to junior food until they reach the age of 2. You also need to be feeding them more frequently than you would a grown dog when they’re younger. From 6 to 12 weeks, puppies should eat 4 meals per day. From 3 to 6 months, this should go down to 3, and finally to 2 when they’re roughly a year old.
Teach Them Obedience
As cute as puppies can be, they’re also very naughty! If you don’t make a point to teach them obedience when the dog is still young, you’ll only be leaving space for more serious obedience problems in the future. Teach them good manners now, on the other hand, and you’ll ensure a lifetime of great social interaction. Furthermore, going through the rhythms of obedience training will bring you and your puppy closer together, and form a stronger bond, which is especially important when they’re young. Getting your puppy to sit, lie down, etc. on command will not only be a lot of fun, but will also help to keep the dog safe and under control in situations where they need it.
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This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links.
by | Jun 19, 2017 | Pets |
All pet owners will want to make sure their animals spend as much time as possible outside this summer. The hot weather has arrived, and most of us humans are melting in the heat. Just imagine how uncomfortable you would feel wearing a fur coat right now. It doesn’t bear thinking about, does it? Well, your dog is dressed in a jacket of that nature all the time. So, you need to ensure you don’t leave it cooped up inside the house. That just isn’t fair. However, there are many issues you could face if you allow your canine to spend most of their time outside. I’m going to discuss some of the most common ones in this article so you can prepare. Don’t worry about anything. There is always a solution.
Dogs become too hot in the sun
As I have just explained, it makes sense that your dog is going to feel too hot if they spend a lot of time outside. Shaving their coat isn’t a reasonable option, so you have to use your head. If you plan to leave your dog in the garden for any length of time, you have to ensure there is a shaded area. If you don’t have any trees your friend can hide underneath, just try to create something. Hanging washing on your line could solve the problem in most instances. Whatever you decide, just create an area in which your dog can get themselves out of direct sunlight. If you do that, you shouldn’t have too many problems.
Dogs can become dehydrated
Massive increases in body temperature can make a dog dehydrated. When that happens, they can become ill fast. So, you need to ensure there is always water available for your pooch. It’s sensible to place their bowl in the shaded area you’ve created. That way, you will help to point the dog in the right direction. If you think your dog has become ill due to a lack of water, you need to encourage them to drink as much as possible. That is the case, even if it means pouring the liquid into their mouth. You can usually tell if your dog needs a drink by touching his or her nose. If it’s wet, they’re probably okay.
Dogs can pick up ticks and other infestations
During the summertime, it’s sensible to keep some tick medicine for dogs at home. That is because your animal might spend time rolling around in the long grass. When they do that, it’s possible they will attract unwanted insects and bugs. An infestation can start from a single tick, and so it’s not worth taking the risk. If you know your dog has spent hours lying on the grass, you should give them some medication as a precaution. It’s relatively safe, and so you shouldn’t have any issues. If you do have any concerns, just consult your vet and ask for advice.
Hopefully, the information on this page will help to guarantee your dog remains a happy chap this summer. At the end of the day, you just have to use some common sense. You wouldn’t leave a child outside in the sun without shade and enough water. So, make sure you apply the same logic to your animals. They are living creatures too, and you don’t want them to become ill.
FTC Disclaimer:
This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links.
by | Jun 17, 2017 | Pets |
What’s the best gift for a dog lover? That’s a very open-ended question because it matters what the dog’s personality is and what kind lifestyle the owner leads. It can be overwhelming because the market is full of so many different products, all with various designs, functions and price tags. There are thousands and thousands of gifts that could benefit your pooch’s life, but many items are superficial. The best gifts to give a dog lover are some things that will last, work in the real-world, make the lives of both dog and owner easier and stress-free. One thing to keep in mind is that a product that is unique is unique to a situation and not every gift that’s good for one dog is going to be best for someone else’s. If you take a broad aim and answer some questions that could pinpoint a practical solution, that in itself will personalize the gift.
Nitey leash
People have jobs that require them to stay behind and work beyond normal working hours to reach a deadline or fix something that’s malfunctioned. However, dogs need walks regularly, and if they miss their daily strut, they can become agitated, restless and frustrated. Life isn’t perfect, and you arrive home late after the sun has set, the darkness outside will offset any enthusiasm for a walk. A nitey leash is like any other normal leash materially, but inside there are LED lights that light up the leash. This means there’s less chance for your dog to get hit by a car if they wander off while they’re sniffing around. Thus, you can get your daily walk in and not be held back by the lack of light to keep you both safe.
Image by – Silke Dalle-Grave
Snuggles and dreams
Some dogs cherish a children’s soft toy. They carry it around with them, play with them, swing them around, and sleep with them too. A soft toy can console a dog when they’re hurt, tired and feel sad. The toy becomes their possession, and just like humans who attach a personality to an inanimate object, dogs get emotionally attached to their toys sometimes. A cute, soft toy would be a great gift that replaces a blanket for a dog who wants to snuggle with something at bedtime.
The bed or cushion they sleep on is also important. A leather dog pillow bed is a luxurious addition to their life and large enough to allow them to stretch while yawning and not have their limbs hang off the edge. Made from ethically sourced buffalo leather and upholstery fabric, the bed is cozy and pleasant for dogs with different types of fur.
Source – majorvols
Chewing treats
Dogs can suffer from the periodontal disease just like human being, and it’s not something that owners can ignore. If a dog is suffering from inflamed gums, it can lead to the loss of appetite, and it even damages other parts of their body internally if bacteria enters their bloodstream through infected gums. Dental treats provide a source of food that is delicious yet healthy, and the more the dog chews, the more oral benefits are reaped. Buying a pack of treats as a gift will give an outcome of a happier dog and gums that have been cleaned thoroughly.
FTC Disclaimer:
This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links.
by | Jun 16, 2017 | Travels |
Greetings Wonderful People,
Summer is here and it is time to start thinking about your travel plans. Where will you be going this year? Are you looking to save money and stay close to home with a small trip? Or is this the year that you plan the big trip that you have been dreaming of for years? No matter where you go, or how much you spend; the key is to enjoy your time away.
If you enjoy outdoor vacations, Moab, Utah is the place for you. Maybe it is an adventurous hike through the mountains? Maybe it is the adrenaline rush from an off-roading adventure in a 4×4 vehicle is more your speed? Or maybe a peaceful drive, looking at the panoramic vistas of the rock formations is the way you want to spend an afternoon. These adventures are waiting for with a trip to Moab.
Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, just outside Moab, Utah.
Each year, millions of people ascend to this small town of just over 5,000 people in eastern Utah to experience nature at its finest. Moab is jumping off point for Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, and the Colorado River. If you want a vacation where you stay inside all the time, then Moab is not the place for you. But if being outside and experiencing the beauty of God’s amazing creation, then it time set packing.
My wife and I celebrated our Seventeenth Anniversary in Moab last year. I would recommend that you spend at least four full days to get a good feel for the region. One full day at Arches National Park, one day at Moab Giants, Dead Horse State Park and the Island in the Sky region of Canyonlands. A second day in the Needles District of Canyonlands and a fourth day to explore the scenic routes in the area. I recommend spending more than four days if you can do it. Each of the National Parks are large enough for you to spend two to three days in each area and still not see all that it has to offer.
A view of the Colorado River from Canyonlands National Park!
Moab is also home to the nearly-created the Bear Ears National Monument. Mesa Verde National Park near the Four-Corners Point and Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park at the Utah/Arizona border are only three hours to the south. Zion National Park, Capitol Reef National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park are also in western Utah. It is possible to combine a trip to Moab with one or two of the these other destinations, but you need to allow about a week or more thoroughly see the area and to fully take in its beauty.
In the coming weeks, I plan to write more articles on what Moab has to offer the outdoor enthusiast. Based on the time that my wife and I spent there, talking with our tour guides and taking time to research the area prior to leaving, we learned many useful tips that made our trip a truly memorable adventure. I will be sharing those experiences and tips you.
Until then, Happy Road Tripping!
Jay
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