10 Reasons to Be Thankful for Dogs!

Hello Dog Lovers! This week we’re going to talk about moving! It can be stressful for our pets too, so you’ll find a few tips on how to keep your dog safe and anxiety-free while settling in to your new home. And, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, you’ll also learn 10 reasons to be thankful for your dog (not that you need to be reminded, of course). You’ll also get some tips on what you can – and shouldn’t – feed your dog from the Thanksgiving leftovers 😊  Fun facts and products of the week round up this week’s issue, and of course you’ll hear from Pablo too! Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving, dear readers!

As always, feel free to pass this issue along to anyone you think will benefit from reading! Subscribe here😀

Pablo’s “Paw”nderings

Hello furry friends!  Hope you’re all doing well! This past weekend my hoomans had a big party outside and I got to visit with them. Oh I got so much attention, and I heard the words 'good' and 'handsome' so many times! I think they were talking about me!!

Dad BBQ'd some chicken and ribs, and guess what? I got to sample some :) I am still on my diet, but dad said the odd treat wouldn't hurt me. Who am I to argue? LOL

Then we had a nice bonfire, but I didn't get too close. Everyone was eating something called 'smores' but they said I couldn't have any because it had chocolate.

Once it got dark, everyone went home and I had the best sleep ever after all the fresh air and attention I got from all of our visitors.

I hope your hooman have a big party so you get to have all kinds of fun too!

Thanksgiving is coming up, I’m hoping to score some turkey and pumpkin pie, hope you do too! Take some pics and send them to me!

Tips for Sharing Your Thanksgiving Dinner

·         No stuffing – stuffing is typically loaded with onions, spices and garlic. That can upset a tummy pretty quickly.

·         Turkey without the bones please: Turkey bones can be a choking hazard so make sure they are removed before serving to your canine friend.

·         Ham it up: Swapping ham for turkey? This is a good dinner for your dog, mixed in with his regular kibble.

·         Veggies Please: Carrots, potatoes, turnip and squash are perfect pairings for turkey and ham, and can be given in small amounts. Pablo loves raw carrots!

·         Pumpkin Pie in moderation: Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without this favourite dessert, and your dog deserves some too! Not too much, and hold the cool whip! A bit of vanilla ice cream can round out your dog’s Thanksgiving meal nicely.

Moving? Here’s How to Make the Transition Easy for Your Dog

Everyone knows that moving is a stressful experience. Selling your home, packing, unpacking, hooking up all the utilities, changing mail delivery… the list goes on. But did you know that moving can be just as stressful for your dog? They don’t understand the commotion and hustle & bustle. They may not appreciate strangers traipsing through ‘their’ home and looking in cupboards and rooms.

Thankfully, there are things you can do to lessen their anxiety and keep their stress to a minimum (even if yours is reaching the breaking point!)

Before You Move

·         Call Your Vet: Let your vet know that you’re moving and update your dog’s id tags/microchip. They may also recommend anxiety-reducing pheromones for moving day.

·         Keep them away from potential buyers: Not everyone loves dogs, and your dog may not love strangers in their space. Either keep them in a separate room while potential buyers are looking, or put them outside. Typically, you’re not home when buyers come looking, so make sure you tell the agent that there is a dog in the home and what room they’ll be in. If possible, you could also take your dog with you. They do love their car rides and being by your side will ease their tension. Other options include a long walk or a trip to the dog park.

·         Pack their stuff last: They’ll know something’s up when they see all the boxes and suitcases, but if they still have their own toys and belongings in their familiar spots up until the last minute, it will give them some reassurance.

Moving Day

·         Pack water food and snacks: Even if you’re not moving far, having a supply of food and water will come in handy in case of unexpected delays (like the dining room table falling off of your pickup truck in the middle of the road).

·         Get a Sitter: Moving may be easier if your dog is out from under foot on moving day. Plan a play date with a neighbour or take them to doggie day care so you can load the moving truck without distraction.

·         Assign a moving buddy: Your dog is going to be stressed no matter what, so it helps to have someone your dog knows (a family member preferably) with your dog during the trip to your new home and when you get there.

Settling In

·         Keep them in a safe place while everything is moved in: Make sure they have access to food and water and put them either in another room or outside while you’re unloading everything into your new home. Make sure their moving buddy is by their side at all times.

·         Let them explore: Once everything is unloaded and the furniture is in place, let them come in and explore. They will soon learn that the furniture is indeed the same, and their ‘peeps’ are there with them.  

·         Home, Home, Home: Dogs know this word and it can give them some comfort. Let them know this is ‘home’. You’d be surprised at how quickly they adjust to their new surroundings.

·         Stick to their usual routine: Breakfast at 8, walk at 10, nap at 12? Try to stick to their routine as much as possible to help ease any stress and anxiety.

10 Reasons to be Thankful for Dogs

Dogs keep us healthy and active

Whether they realize it or not, our furry best friends do a great job of getting us moving! In fact, according to a study in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health, dog parents are 34% more likely than those without dogs to get the right amount of exercise for their health.

 Even just a half an hour walk with your dog each day can do wonders to relieve stress and potentially reduce your risk for developing cardiovascular disease. This time of year is especially great for getting outside with your dog and experiencing everything fall has to offer together!

 Dogs provide protection

Big and little dogs alike can help keep us safe. With little more than a quick, loud bark, our dogs can warn family members something is wrong or frighten away strangers from the door.

 Maybe it is just us, but sleeping at night feels a little easier when you know your best friend is alert and always protecting you at any hour. No matter their size, it’s comforting to have your own personal watchdog, and that is definitely something to be thankful for!

 Dogs ask so little of us

When is the last time your dog complained about anything you did? Even when we have to leave our dogs alone for hours, our four-legged friends are nothing but thrilled to see us when we get back.

 All our dogs need to be happy is shelter, food, water, and maybe most importantly to them, love! When you stop and consider all the ways our dogs fill our lives with joy and happiness, they really ask so little of us in return!

 Dogs are role models for how to live

Our furry friends can teach us a great deal about how to be better versions of ourselves. Dogs shower everyone with unwavering love and remain loyal through thick and thin. They long to be helpful at every opportunity and never hesitate to spread their love and affection. We can learn so much about being good to one another just by observing our furry friends.

 Dogs chase away our blues

If anything can make us feel better after a difficult day, it’s coming home to your dog just waiting to bombard you with doggie kisses and cuddles. In fact, studies have even shown that people who have pets are less lonely or less likely to become depressed or anxious.

 No matter what kind of day you have, it’s certainly a comfort to have your furry friend there by your side to make everything a whole lot better.

 Dogs accept us just the way we are

Dogs love everyone for exactly who they are, and never question or judge us for who we aren’t. Dogs don’t ask us to change, and they never withhold their cuddles and licks, no matter what mood we may be in. Our dogs love us exactly as we are, and for that, we couldn’t love them more!

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Fun Fact:

A Labrador Retriever might also be called a ‘dog of all trades’. That’s because they also make great show dogs, hunting dogs, canine athletes, guide dogs, service dogs, sniffer dogs, search and rescue dogs, and therapy dogs. Of course they are great family dogs too!

Product Picks of the Week

That’s it for this week, send some pics of you and your pooch and we’ll feature it in our Community Corner!

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