Pet Accessories

When a puppy comes into a new family, definitely aside from love, the pup needs proper dog supplies in order to make sure that he grows healthy and well. Here are the essentials:

~ An appropriately sized dog bed

~ A bowl, sized to match your dog

~ A collar like this can also serve as his identity tag

~ Health products and supplements

~ Variety of toys to keep him busy and entertained

~ Dog clothes, especially for breeds with thin coats as it protects them during cold season

If you do not have the luxury of time to go to a reliable dog supply store and shop for these items, you can access the internet and order the needed dog products.

Like people, some dogs cannot be comfortable on a stack of worn down pillows or a hard, cold floor with sheets. Canines require the a reasonable amount of sleep and rest like humans, so purchasing a dog bed for your furry little friend would be a great idea; after all, you wouldn’t want to sleep on a cold floor yourself, would you?

There are several luxury dog beds on the market that give you the perfect way to pamper your pooch.. To some, it may seem a bit farfetched to buy a dog a luxury bed, but why wouldn’t you do that for your best friend?

While all of the powers that be haggle over public options and death panels, no one is noticing an obvious addition to this volatile  subject. Many studies have shown that owning a pet can help with stress management, lower blood pressure and increase exercise. All of these would have a positive effect on health care costs, while at the same time providing so many deserving pets a wonderful home to live in.

Why doesn’t someone propose to include in the health care bill a clause that would encourage, through lowered insurance costs, the adoption of a homeless pet. Proof of the adoption could lower premiums, which would free up funds in the household for things like food and a dog bed. At the same time scores of homeless pets would find a home and provide a health benefit to their owners. Sounds like a win/win to me!

Several of the banks that received money in last year’s TARP bailout funds are making significant headway in repaying those funds. Citigroup, Wells Fargo and Bank of America all seemed determined to quickly repay the government, thereby escaping imposed restrictions on bonuses and possibly other spending.

Its pretty amazing that institutions that were in such trouble not so long ago could repay such a large amount in such a short period of time. I would say that makes these bailouts a smart investment for the federal government, with good return in good time. What does that mean for President Obama? That I’m not really sure, but maybe he could get a really great dog bed for his family puppy, Bo, with all the extra cash that is floating around now.

Each day more information comes out about Tiger Woods and his extra-marital pastimes. It seems that making millions of dollars doing the thing that you love is very stressful and can lead to poor choices to help relieve said stress. Poor Tiger. Maybe his advisors should steer him towards other hobbies that are rewarding and fulfilling and do not put him in a negative public spotlight (or hurt his family).

What might some of those hobbies be? There is always the abundance of charities and organizations available to get involved with and as many people already know, helping others and making a difference always takes our mind off ourselves and creates a great feeling of well being and satisfaction.  Another good choice is adopting a pet which provides companionship and unconditional love (so you don’t have to find that from other sources!) and helps fill down time which can keep mischievous boys out of trouble. I’m sure all of this will eventually settle down in the media, and I certainly hope his family withstands the storm and comes out stronger than before. In the meantime, he did make his bed so he has to lie in it, but hopefully he will switch to a luxury designer dog bed with an adorable, sweet puppy that sweetens his image.

Sometimes, simply buying a crate isn’t enough. Some dogs, based on their age and overall sensitivity, may need dog crate mats to make their enclosed space a tad bit more comfortable. While some pet owners think that old towels and used shirts are enough, I think that if that dog were a person, sleeping on an old MC Hammer shirt would be as comfortable as sleeping on the pavement.

Dog crate mats can be found at some pet stores, but specialty retail sites online have massive selections that can suite a dog’s specific size and personality. Don’t be a cheap-o and let your pup sleep on an old “2 Legit 2 Quit” tour shirt, otherwise, you’ll find that your dog won’t be “2 Legit” to be a little salty at you.

In the news today it was reported that there were 3 different instances of rabid raccoons in Central Park, NY. There have been very few cases of rabies in the city for many years, and no people have been infected for the past 50 years.

In order to protect yourself and your pets, stay well away from any wild, or other, animal that is acting erratically, seems aggressive or even unwell. Keep a dog leash on your dog at all times so that you can control where your dog goes, and lead him away from potential danger if it is coming toward you. Three cases is not exactly a pandemic, but still!

We all seem to have our favorite sleeping positions when we finally fall into bed at the end of a long day. For some, passing out on their stomach is bliss, although this position can strain the lower back if you stay there too long. Others lay flat on their back and hardly move all night. A third position is on the side, possibly in fetal position, all curled up and tucked in. Sometimes a pillow under the knees or between the knees when on the side can help alleviate any back pain in those positions. Whatever the choice, we usually  like the same posture on any given night.

Dogs also have their favorite spots and their favorite positions, and if you know what yours likes you can set him up accordingly. Those that like to curl up might like a round dog bed, and those that stretch might go for a rectangle bed that will accommodate their limbs. Some like bumpers that support their head like a pillow and make them feel tucked in and cozy. You can always find a style and size that your pet loves, and both of you will get a great night’s sleep!

Sometimes we think that because an animal has a fur coat they are warm enough all year long, even in a fairly cold climate. But actually dogs can also be susceptible to cold temperatures, some breeds more so than others. The obvious breeds that are made for working outdoors in cold temps, like the Husky or St. Bernard, are probably okay in just about any weather in North America. But the breeds that were never meant to spend so much time outside, and have been domesticated for a long time, need our help to stay warm despite their fur coat.

When going for a walk put on a dog jacket or dog sweater that fits well, keeps warmth in and possibly even repels water. Avoid stepping in water if the temp is quite cold, and don’t leave your animal outside for extended periods, even with a jacket. Remember, just because they have more hair than we do doesn’t mean they don’t get cold. Bundle Up!