hcrotsley
Currently an owner of 2 dogs and 3 cats, I’ve gained a plethora of pet-related experience over the years. I strive to provide the best home I can for my little terrors, and you’ll read all about our trials and tribulations as I continue down the rewarding yet rocky road of pet parenthood.
Posts by hcrotsley
Every Dog Deserves its Day: National Dog Day
Aug 26th
National Dog Day
National Dog Day is celebrated August 26th annually and serves to help galvanize the public to recognize the number of dogs that need to be rescued each year, and acknowledges family dogs and dogs that work selflessly each day to save lives, keep us safe, and bring comfort. Dogs put their lives on the line every day – for their law enforcement partner, for their blind companion, for a child who is disabled, for our freedom and safety by detecting bombs and drugs and pulling victims of tragedy from wreckage.” (www.nationaldogday.com)
Take a moment to say ‘Thank you’ to your dog today. Something as simple as an extra belly rub or a special treat will be appreciated. Think about donating to your local animal shelter, or host a special dog-gathering with friends. Maybe even think about adding to your fur family on National Dog Day. Whatever you do, remember to celebrate all the wonderful things that dogs do for us each and every day.
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Loading ...Saying Good-bye – RIP My Loyal Friend, Frankie
Aug 20th
A Brief Memorial
Today my oldest and dearest companion travels to the rainbow bridge. Frankie, my family’s 17 year old Bichon Frise, was my first pet, my only “sibling”, and the best friend and playmate a child could have asked for. More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Doggie Diets, Part 2 – Homemade Meals and Vitamin Supplements
Aug 17th
In Part 1, I explained how to choose a quality dog food from the plethora of brands and flavors on the market. The alternative to commercial diets is creating and preparing your pet’s food at home. This option has gained popularity in recent years with the contamination scares and movements to improve our own diet and health.
Feeding Raw or Homemade Diets
Before the invention of dog food, household pets were fed “people food”. These types of diets worked because they were as varied and nutritious as their owner’s diets, and foods were not filled with preservatives and other impossible to pronounce ingredients. We are now starting to see more disease, allergies, and illness in our pets, and it could have something to do with the quality of the food we are feeding our animals. I like to imagine how I feel when I’ve eaten badly for a few days - say nothing but pizza, chips, & soda. I feel run down and sluggish, my immune system is craving vitamins and nutrients that junk foods don’t provide. A diet like that can be compared to feeding a low quality pet food. Imagine going your whole life on nothing but junk food and preservatives. Thankfully, the pet food industry is following suit and has steadily been improving their offerings. More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Doggie Diet, Part 1 – Understanding Pet Food & Pet Food Labels
Aug 10th
Commercial Dog food was first developed in the mid 1800’s and the pet food industry has grown by leaps and bounds ever since. With all the varieties, brands, and marketing messages being tossed around, it is sometimes difficult to know if you are selecting the right food for your pet. Selecting a quality pet food is essential for the health of your dog, and a balanced diet and regular exercise are the foundations for a healthy, happy pet. A quality diet can help prevent disease, alleviate allergies, More >
(+1 rating, 1 votes) Loading ...Pet Fire Safety Check – How Does Your Home Compare?
Jul 20th
Last Thursday was National Pet Fire Safety Day. A house fire has always been one of my greatest fears so when the AKC put out their tips on avoiding this potential tragedy I was shocked to learn that almost 1,000 house fires last year were actually started by the family pets themselves. Some of the pet fire safety tips the AKC gave were obvious to me, but others were more subtle. Planning for the unexpected tragedy is an integral part of responsible pet ownership.
How to prevent your pet from starting fires
Extinguish open flames – Curious by nature, pets will often investigate candles or stovetops. Never leave an open flame, such as a candle or gas stove, unattended and be sure to double check that all flames have been put out before leaving your home. More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...July 4th Fun & Fireworks – Pet Anxiety & Safety Tips
Jul 1st
The July 4th Holiday is upon us, and unfortunately it is one of the busiest times for animal shelters due to the overwhelming amount of dogs lost during the fireworks & festivities. The fireworks may be fun for us, for some of our canine friends it can be downright terrifying.
During fireworks displays, or even while setting off fireworks in your backyard and neighborhood, your usually calm family pet may become extremely stressed. The stress overload can cause some pets to try to escape the house or yard. By following a few simple tips for this holiday weekend you can avoid coming home to an empty house and the anxiety of a missing beloved family pet.
Follow these simple steps to enjoy a worry free Independence Day. The knowledge that your family pets are safe and sound will make your holiday all the more fun. Have a great holiday weekend!
(+1 rating, 1 votes) Loading ...Adopting Shelter Pets – Interesting Findings in a Recent Survey
Jun 24th
There is no question that adopting a pet from a shelter can be the right course of action for many families looking for a pet. My second dog, Gatsby, was adopted from a rescue organization. I knew from the start that I wanted to adopt, but the process was so arduous I thought it might never happen!
I filled out countless adoption forms, both online and in person; mailed, faxed, made calls and left messages with various agencies in my area for weeks on end. When my form was finally reviewed, the pet I was interested in was already adopted out and I had to go through the whole process all over again. There was even one instance where I was rejected as an applicant because I worked a regular job. There seemed to be a delay in when their websites were updated and what pets were actually available or had other adopters applying. I got lucky when one of my adoption forms landed in the inbox of a very dedicated foster mom who contacted me promptly about Gatsby. We did our interview over the phone and she accepted photos of my house as a “visit”. She called all three of my references that day, and had my current pets’ records faxed to her too. After all that, I was finally approved for a dog that hadn’t yet found a home, the catch? I had to leave the next morning for a three hour drive to pick him up. The whole process took me many months but ended very quickly with a sweet, cuddly puppy sitting on my lap for the long ride home. More >
(+1 rating, 1 votes) Loading ...Ten Tips to Discourage Destructive Behavior in Dogs
Jun 15th
For those of you following this blog, you may have read some of my previous posts about Gatsby, my incredibly destructive, adopted German Shepherd mix. I’d like to share some of the techniques I used to help curb Gatsby’s destructive tendencies.
If you have a destructive pet, the first thing you have to do is find the root of the behavior. Does he have separation anxiety? Is he under-stimulated? Or maybe there was a recent change in routine or environment? All of these can be common triggers of destructive dog behavior. Your ‘treatment’ of the bad behavior will depend on the cause, and you may require some professional help if you are dealing with dangerous or extreme destruction in your home.
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(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Dog Friendly Vacation Destinations – the Mid-Atlantic
Jun 10th
Summer is swiftly approaching and many of our readers may be looking for dog-friendly vacation spots. Read on for a list (which is by no means is comprehensive) of pet friendly stops near Central PA. Whether you’re looking to spend a few days hiking the trails with your furry friend or just a day trip in the summer sun your family is bound to enjoy these fun summer destinations.
Cape Henlopen State Park – Located on the Delaware seashore you can take Fluffy for a dip on non-lifeguarded beaches as long she is kept on a leash 6 ft or shorter. No dogs are permitted on the lifeguarded beaches, sailboarding beaches or shorebird nesting areas during peak season (May 1- September 30). More >
(+1 rating, 1 votes) Loading ...Litter Box Training for Newbies – The Basics
Jun 3rd
Most cat owners know the ins and outs of their cat’s litter box habits. When I got my first cat, I didn’t have a clue how to teach her to use the litter box. Here are some helpful hints and suggestions to jump start your litter box training and keep them from relieving themselves in your potted plants! More >
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