GIO

Words cannot say how I feel right now.  Tears are streaming down my face as I write this post because I have lost my little buddy, my fur baby, and a part of my family. Gio went to heaven on Monday. If you are not an animal lover, you wouldn’t understand. And that’s okay because you don’t have to.

Gio

I celebrate his life. He had the energy of an Energizer bunny — very playful. He brought so much joy to everyone who met him. He is and will always be a family member.

This is a joyful post because he always made me laugh. He made everyone laugh and brought so  much love to our family. Gio was a rescue dog. He came into our lives by the way of a colleague at work giving me a flyer with his picture on it (I still have that poster of him). When I saw it, my heart melted. I know that my hubby grew up with beagles on a farm so when he saw him he thought he was cute and wanted to bring him home. The story the family told us was that they had three beagles of their own and the female was trying to attack Gio because she didn’t like him getting too close to their child. And the female beagle would not stop, so if no one took him, they were going to have to take him to the local dog pound. Well we wouldn’t let that happen.

We brought him home and it took some time for him to know that we really loved him. We don’t know his past so we respected that and continued to love on him. And when he knew the love he gave so much love to us in return. That unconditional love he gave us is priceless. Our veterinarian said that he was 2 years old when we got him so he was fourteen, and we had 12 years of Gio being part of our family.

Gio

My sweet Gio we love you, miss you, and you will be in our hearts forever.
We learned so much from Gio about life that we wanted to share it with you in future blog posts.

Simple Nature Decor Giveaway

Hi Beautiful People,

Hope you are having a great week and looking forward to the weekend. I am not complaining, however, the weather has been so humid and hot in the Midwest. The seat belts in Phoenix my Jeep Grand Cherokee were so hot that I felt the heat and it barely touched my skin. It’s summer in the city and it feels like a oven door was left open.

I have been going through Lauren Messiah’s Love Your Body Style challenge and it’s been really eye opening and reaffirming things I already know. I I I have been really working on myself lately because if you can’t take care of you how can you be there for others.

It’s time for a new giveaway! I’m joining Katherine, and her giveaway sponsor Simple Nature Decor and some of Katherine’s blogger friends to bring you the Pin-Tastic Giveaway! 

One winner will receive a $150.00 CASH!!

The prize is provided by Simple Nature Decor, Katherines Corner, Keepsakes by Katherine, and ALL of the lovely giveaway Hostesses.

Please remember to follow Katherine and ALL of the giveaway hostesses so you can get all of your entry opportunities.

Katherine-Katherines Corner

Maria- Simple Nature Decor

Tamaki-Bubbling with Elegance and Grace

Nina-Vintage Mamas Cottage

Karren- Oh My Heartsie Girl

Roz- La Bella Vita Cucina

Lisa-Casa Bouquet

Laura- Not a Trophy Wife

Nancy-Nancy On The Homefront

Lynn- Turnips2Tangerines

 

Disclaimer from Katherines Corner-Some of Katherines giveaways have sponsors, Katherines Corner may receive compensation for reviews and advertising provided. However, no compensation will influence the outcome of any review or giveaway win. Katherines Corner provides reviews to readers in order to provide an informed decision before purchase. Katherines Corner and its affiliate Bobskatie Enterprises reserves the right to not publish a review of a product or products that do not meet the specified instructions provided to product submission companies or individuals. Reviews are posted in the appropriate section at Katherines Corner and also at Amazon.com ( subject to products availability) This in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

To Enter please log into the entry form using your Email Address or Facebook login

Pinterest is not endorsing or in any way responsible for this giveaway.

Good Luck in the Giveaway!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

How To Be Fashionable When You Don’t Have The Budget

Looking great isn’t easy, because if it were then everyone would be doing it, and then nobody would stand out from one another. Of course, if you are having a problem with your fashion or if you know that you are just not happy with the way that you look then here are some top tips that will get you started on your journey to fashion success.

Wear a Hat
You’d be surprised at how much a hat can make a difference to your outfit. When you do choose to wear a hat, it helps to make sure that it suits your look. For example, if you know that you are going to be wearing a big, long coat then try and opt for a hat that is a little oversized. If you are

wearing a jacket then try and go for a knitted or even a woolly hat. This will really bring out your look and it can work wonders for your style. When you are trying to choose the right hat for your outfit, try and make sure that you are taking into account the colour of it. After all, you need to make sure that the colour of your hat matches in with another aspect of your outfit as well, whether it is a scarf, your shoes or even a belt.

It’s All About Layers
Believe it or not, fashion is very much about layers. When you are choosing your fashionable outfit, try and make sure that you are choosing items which compliment each other. For example, you can easily wear a cotton t-shirt with a denim jacket and this is a great look, but if you add another jacket on top of that or another t-shirt underneath then this can make the whole outfit look cluttered. Two or three layers is best when planning out your clothing, but if you want to add something more to your outfit then this is entirely possible for you to do, which leads onto the next point.

Accessories
Accessories are a great way for you to add to an outfit that you have without having to worry about adding more layers. If you have a crew neck t-shirt under your jacket then try and add an oversized necklace. You could even add some pin badges to your denim jacket or some new buttons. Little things like this can make all of the difference. If you want to buy some jewellery to go with your outfit then it’s worth checking out sites such as https://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/tacori/. They can help you to find whatever you need and without any stress at all.

Of course, looking great can be hard work and at times it may even feel impossible. The main thing that you have to remember here is that it’s important for you to have your own style so that you don’t feel as though you are copying from everyone else. When you are able to do this, you can then start to build your own level of confidence and self-esteem, which is essential in the world of fashion.

FTC Disclaimer:
This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links.

So The Kids Want A Puppy But Are You Ready For The Commitment?

If you think heading to your local dog pound, rescuing a pooch and welcoming him into your home is a simple process, then you will need to think again. Bringing a new four-legged friend into your humble abode takes commitment and a willingness to compromise like never before. It’s unwise to offer to take in a hound on a whim only to realize that you cannot cope with the demands of puppy training, taking your dog for long walks and the cost of food, vets fees, and doggy treats. This is why so many puppies and adolescent mutts end up abandoned or needing to be rehomed.

It’s not unusual to endure the whines and pleas from your little darlings who are constantly nagging you to get a pooch. Perhaps their friends have one, maybe they want a new furry pal to play with or perhaps they’ve seen the ideal family pet set up on a family sitcom on the TV. While you may bargain with your kids that in order for you to even consider a puppy in the household they need to look after their mutt, take him or her for their daily game of fetch in the park and clear up the doggy mess in the garden, it will be you who inevitably gets lumbered with the general care of the animal. Taking on a new puppy requires resilience, commitment, and a welcoming home. Do you have what it takes?

Your Heart Will Melt
Even the most stoic and hardened of characters can’t fail to have their heart melted by whatever pooch ends up coming through their door. You may end up with a fluff ball of a bichon puppy, a wise old retired greyhound or an intelligent young collie. It doesn’t matter the breed, the age or even the temperament, you will believe that your hound is the best, most beautiful and most awesome dog on the planet. And why wouldn’t you? It is a mutt’s ability to charm their human owners that makes them such a wonderful addition to any home.

If you’ve never had a pet before, you will be surprised by the loyalty and affection that your puppy will show you. He or she may be stuck to your side like a limpet, eager to please and constantly looking at you with their admiring eyes. Very quickly you will be overwhelmed by the level of love you feel for your new pet. They are an animal – you can’t love them that much, surely? But you will; your dog will become a beloved family member who you will protect with every ounce of your being. If you’re not ready for such a heavy emotional commitment, you may need to reconsider welcoming a hound into your humble abode.

The Home
Unless you don’t mind your sofas getting torn to shreds, your curtains no longer worthy of your windows and your laminate covered in all sorts of puppy mess, you need to consider how to pooch proof your pad. It’s vital that you make an effort to satisfy your dog’s natural needs. They need ways to scratch, space to run and play and adequate mental stimulation within the home. Dog toys are designed to prevent your mutt from getting frustrated and ransacking your living space, and it’s a good idea to have a variety to keep your puppy engaged when they can’t get outside for a run.

Most importantly, your hound needs to be safe within their four walls. While they may be comfortable, they need to be free from danger. You might think your home is relatively safe, but keeping that bunch of grapes out in your fruit bowl could lead to your curious mutt having a munch and suffering kidney failure. Luckily, this pet safety guide details the many steps you need to take to ensure your home is as hazard free as possible.

Budget
Having a dog isn’t cheap. You need to consider food, vets bills, and insurance, not to mention toys, beds and other little treats that you will inevitably want to purchase for your precious mutt. One report stated that a dog costs $1270 on average in the first year of ownership. If you are struggling financially, you are saving for a mortgage, or you simply feel like you cannot afford to give a hound the quality of life they deserve because of your lack of monetary resources, consider putting off your dream of a doggy pal within your home for a little while. This is not to say that you can never own a pet, but it might be kinder to your eventual pooch if you can ensure you have the means to care for them well.

It can be tiring to hear your little cherubs constantly whining and moaning that they’d like a puppy. However, never be tempted to succumb to getting a pooch in a quest to end the monotony of puppy requests. Take your time, consider whether you actually want a mutt and always make sure you are ready for the commitment of dog ownership.

 

FTC Disclaimer:
This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links.

Dangerous Dog Grooming (And How To Prevent It)

Imagine if you took you fur baby to the groomer and he came back in a worse state than when he went in? What if you decided to give him a trim at home but caused more harm than good? Sadly, these are things that can happen all too often if you don’t know about the potential dangers of dog grooming. To protect your pet read the post below to find out more.

Not all bad dog grooming is funny like the examples above. Some can even be dangerous.

Paws
It is vital to take care of your pups feet as they are a critical part of their anatomy and as such, they need to be looked after in the best way possible. In fact, the pads on your dog’s paws are one of the ways they can keep cool when the climate is hot (Apart from sticking their tongue out and panting that is).

What this means is that you need to remove hair from between the pads, so they aren’t too insulated. Also, don’t forget that long hair between their foot pads can be uncomfortable and rub when your pup walks, something that in turn will cause them to overly lick the area, and this can lead to sores, and even possible infection if is it goes untreated for a long time.

Coat
Many folks believe that taking care of the coat is something that is relatively simple and that they can take care of at home. Of course, it is entirely possible to do this, buts it’s important to understand as much about the process as beforehand, so you don’t end making things worse for you pooch rather than better.

In particular, trimming your fur kid’s coat in the right way is vital. To do this, you will first need to research the best dog hair clippers on the market. Then you will need to use these to remove any matted fur gently and carefully, as this is something that can pull at you dogs skin and cause them pain.

In fact, a matted coat is also dangerous because it creates pockets where moisture can gather, something that may encourage a nasty fungal infection on your pup’s skin. Then there is the fact that ticks that carry dangerous Lyme Disease are harder to spot in coats that are matted and in poor condition. To that end, it’s vital that you get grooming your pup’s coat right.

Nails
Nails can also be a big issue when it comes to proper grooming. In fact, many caring dog moms and dads are a little scared of trimming nails themselves because they don’t want to cut the quick which can be painful and cause bleeding.

However, this is no excuse to leave this job undone because uncut nails can mean your pooch will end up walking on the side of his feet. Something that is painful and in the long term can contribute to skeletal problems such as arthritis. What this means is, if you don’t want to cut their nail in the usual way use a buffer machine, or take them to a trusted groomer so they can perform this service for you.

FTC Disclaimer:
This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links.

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