That Pet Blog That Pet Place Pet Blog

As the mother of a 2-year-old, most TV and movies that I get to watch are animated. After watching the same shows and movies over and over you begin to develop a few favorites.
Here are 5 of my favorite animated animals!

1. Sebastian
The Little Mermaid

Sebastian is a red Jamaican crab in Disney’s The Little Mermaid. He is often ordered to look after Arial which seems to give him a deal of anxiety. He would much rather be writing music. Sebastian can also be seen briefly in Aladdin.

2. Flik
A Bug’s Life

Flik is a nerdy ant in A Bug’s Life. He is determined to make a difference in his colony. Flik makes a short appearance in Toy Story 2.

3. Dug
Up

Dug is a super lovable Golden Retriever in the movie Up. His inventive owner created a special collar that translates Dugs thought into words.

4. Donkey
Shrek

Donkey quickly goes from a stranger to Shrek’s hyperactive sidekick, proving to Shrek that he is there to stay no matter what.

5. Apollo the Super-Pup
Paw Patrol

Apollo is by far my 2-year-olds favorite. He is a TV show character on a TV show. The Paw Patrol pups watch his show in a few episodes and Apollo appears in Rubble’s dream in the episode “Pups Save Apollo”

Who are your favorites?

As pet owners, we are often warned about what foods not to share with our pups but sometimes it is hard to resist those puppy dog eyes. Here are 14 foods you can share with your dog!

Keep in mind that all dogs are different and just like people some dogs could be allergic to certain foods. Always try new foods in small amounts and watch for any side effects.

1. Oatmeal
2. Peanut butter
3. Chicken
4. Yogurt
5. Carrots
6. Broccoli
7. Green beans
8. Pumpkin
9. Eggs
10. Salmon
11. Cottage Cheese
12. Apple slices
13. Cheese
14. Sweet Potatoes

You can make your own dog treats with these ingredients and more. Check out our DIY Dog Treats board on Pinterest for recipes!

Enjoy these treats with your dogs this summer and remember to always treat in moderation.

You know that feeling you get every time you see a new dog? That somewhat uncontrollable urge to run over scoop that pup up and snuggle it for hours. As tempting as it may be, think about it from the dog’s point of view, scary right? If a dog sees you as a threat they may feel like they have no choice other than to bite. Here are some tips on how to greet dogs in a non-threatening manner.

• Always ask the dog’s owner
• Do not make direct eye contact
• Approach the dog slowly
• Get down on his level
• Wait for him to approach you
• Pet gently
• Pay attention to his body language

As the temperatures drop, as we are all bundling up and dig out our heavy coats don’t forget about your pet. If you’re cold they are too. Here are 6 Products to help keep your pets warm this winter.

1. A dog coat
   
   This one may seem a little obvious but sometimes it is assumed that dogs have their own built-in coat. Depending on your dog’s breed and hair length they could need something more to keep them comfortable while taking those winter walks.
2. Dog Sweaters
   If you pup needs a little extra warmth for indoors too we have a large selection of sweaters and pajamas that are fashionable and practical.
3. Dog Boots
   Don’t forget your pups paws. Dog boots not only keep their paws warm but also help protect them from the ice and salt.
4. A Heated Pet Bed
   Heated pet beds are available for dogs and cats of all sizes.Does your pet have a bed they love already? Turn virtually any bed into a heated bed with one of these bed warmers.
5. Heated Cat House
   
   A heated cat house is a welcome comfort for outdoor cats in the colder months.
6. If your birds cage is getting a little too cold try a bird warmer or heated perch.

If you’re feeling the chill just cuddle up with your furry friends!

We hope you and your pets have a warm and cozy winter. If you have any questions or suggestions leave us a comment!

With Thanksgiving fast approaching we often take this time to look back and remind ourselves what we are most thankful for. My 7 year old hound mix, Chester has been on the top of my list for some time now. Sometimes I wonder what he is thankful for, so here is what I think his list would look like:

1. My Little Sister
   When my parents brought home this little wiggly thing a year and a half ago I was less then amused. She started growing on me quickly and once they started giving her real food I was hooked! I am thankful to have someone to play with who sneaks me table scraps all the time.
2. King Sized Beds
   I am thankful for my big warm king sized bed that my parent bought just for me!
3. Family
   For the last 6 years I have been the only dog on my mom’s side of the family but this year I got two new K9 cousins! I don’t care to participate in their puppy antics but it’s nice to not be the only pup at family BBQs.
4. My Mom’s Job
   Having a parent that works a pet store is every dogs dream right? Not only do I get the coolest and newest treats and toys but I can go with her to work!
5. Flea Control
   I guess because it’s cold out these little bugs think they can make my coat their home. Luckily I am protected by some awesome topical flea & tick treatment.
6. My Tru Fit Smart Harness
   This awesome harness has a nifty little seat belt loop to help keep me safe and secure in the car. Now my parents have no excuse for leaving me home.
7. Pet-Loving Family & Friends
   For some reason my parents sometimes think they need a vacation. Even though I don’t usually get to go, I have so many awesome friends and family members who are more than happy to open their homes to me.

Thanks for reading! Does your pet have a thank-you list this holiday season? I’d love to hear about it.

Megan

In honor of National Walk Your Dog Week we have put together a list of 5 free apps to help keep you and your pup on a walking schedule.

MapMyDogWalk
Brought to you by Subaru. Dog tested. Dog approved.™

• Calorie tracking can also help with your personal fitness goals.
• Tracks and measures time, distance, pace, speed and elevation
• Synchronizes with MapMyWalk.com
• GPS tracking that allows you to view your location and where you have traveled
• Tweet your walk data to your followers
• Ability to select and control your music while the app is running
• Photo Geo-tagging automatically uploads photos taken during your walk to MapMyWalk.com

Dog Walk – Track Your Dog’s Walks!
By Tractive

• Shows you the exact duration and distance of your walk and you current position on the map
• Track where your dog is doing its business
• Take pictures along your walk while the app keeps tracking
• Apple Watch compatible

WalkForADog
By WoofTrax, Inc.

• Don’t just take your dog for a walk … Take your Walk for a Dog
• This app donates to the animal shelter or rescue of your choice every time you take your dog for a walk
• The amount donated varies depending on how many people are walking for the same organization

BarkByte
By Kentshire Software, LLC

• Use your phones GPS to track the route, duration and date/time of your walks
• Record the location of when and where your dog is taking care of business
• Record feeding and set up feeding notifications
• Share your favorite route with your fallowers on Facebook and twitter
• This app can notify your pooch’s other caretakers when records are made so everyone can stay up to date

Family Dog
By Cooply Apps

• GPS track your walk route, time and distance
• Connect and compete with friends and family
• Integrates with social media for easy sharing

Walking your dog regularly is great for your dog and you! Regular walks can help you get in shape or stay fit check out this blog post, Walking the Dog – How Exercising with Your Pets Can Motivate You to Stay Fit, for some tips on getting started.

Just like us our pets can pack on a few extra pounds over the cold months. Here are some tips to help keep your dogs active as the temperatures drop.

1. Hide some of your dogs favorite treats around the house and put his natural instincts to work sniffing them out.
2. Visit your local pet store for some socialization and a long walk through the aisles.
3. Most human treadmills can be utilized for K-9 family members too. Make sure to take time to train you dog safely to use a treadmill, and never leash your pet to the treadmill.
4. Play fetch with an indoor safe toy like the Chuck-It indoor roller. Add a little extra to the work out by throwing the ball up the steps!
5. Make meal time more fun and stimulating with some interactive puzzle toys!
6. Create an indoor agility course for your pup out of things around your house.
7. Have a play date with one of your dogs 4legged buddies.
8. Rotate your dogs toys so he stays interested and doesn’t get bored.

August 26^th is National Dog Day—a day to remember and recognize all that these wonderful creatures do for us without question. Dogs save lives, keep us healthy, guide our blind and disabled, protect our neighborhoods, and bring joy to our families. Dogs do so much good for the world, yet so many of them end up neglected, abandoned, and abused.

Here are 20 great ways to celebrate with your dogs:

• Adopt a dog from a shelter or local rescue organization.
• Buy your dog a fun new toy.
• Teach your dog a new trick.
• Take your dog on a hike.
• Have a National Dog Day party and invite all your 4 legged friends.
• Snap a few pictures of your dog and share them with friends online or enter them in a contest.
• Have a caricature or portrait drawn of your dog.
• Give your dog a bath or have him groomed.
• Visit your local dog park.
• Take a trip to the closest dog friendly beach.
• Buy a fashionable new leash and collar.
• Try a new DIY treat recipe.
• Plan a play date with your dog’s favorite doggy friend.
• Learn dog first aid and CPR.
• If your workplace allows it, take your dog along for the day.
• Give your dog some extra belly rubs.

Don’t have a dog? You can still celebrate:

• Donate supplies, money or your time to a local shelter.
• Walk a neighbor’s dog.
• Watch a movie starring a dog.
• Look into becoming a foster home for dogs in need.

Whatever you do, remember to celebrate all the wonderful things that dogs do for us each and every day!

Source: www.nationaldogday.com

If you read our past blog Pet Friendly Destinations in Lancaster, PA you may be wondering where you and your pets can stay while visiting these awesome attractions. Here are some hotels, motels and campgrounds that will gladly accommodate you and your pets!

• The Eden Resort
  222 Eden Road
  Lancaster PA 17601
• Red Roof Inn
  2307 Lincoln Highway East
  Lancaster, PA 17602
  (717) 299-9700
• Knights Inn Lancaster
  2151 Lincoln Hwy E
  Lancaster, PA, US 17602
  (877) 411-3436
  
• Travelodge Lancaster Amish Country
  2101 Columbia Ave
  Lancaster, PA, US 17603
  (877) 411-3436
• Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Lancaster
  2045 Lincoln Hwy E
  Lancaster, PA, US 19107
  (877) 411-3436
• Clarion Inn at Historic Strasburg
  1400 Historic Dr
  Strasburg, PA, US 17579
  (877) 411-3436
• Circle M RV Resort
  2111 Millersville Rd
  Lancaster, PA, US
  (717) 872-4651
• Old Mill Stream Campground
  2249 Lincoln Hwy 30 E
  Lancaster, PA, US
  (717) 299-2314
• Flory’s Cottages & Camping
  99 N Ronks RdRonks, PA, US
  (717) 687-6670
• Beacon Hill Camping
  128 Beacon Hill Rd
  Intercourse, PA, US 17534
  (717) 768-8775
• Harvest Drive Family Inn
  3370 Harvest Dr
  Intercourse, PA, US 17534
  (877) 411-3436

Sources:
http://www.bringfido.com/
http://www.gopetfriendly.com/
Image © Flicker | Tony Faiola

Summer is in full swing 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.

• The Amish Farm & House
  This site exists to provide the public with a quality educational experience reflecting both the historical and contemporary Amish culture in Lancaster County. You will see the farmhouse, built in 1805, the 15-acre picturesque farm with many of the historic buildings remaining, and a 1775 operational bake oven. Well behaved, leashed pets are welcome on the grounds and most of the buildings.
• Beau’s Dream Dog Park at Buchanan Park
  The newly renovated dog park, which Lancaster, PA resident Angela Bauman’s 2012 winning entry helped inspire, features an array of amusement park-themed elements, including: a 40-foot-long roller coaster bridge; custom-designed splash pads for large and small dogs that feature fun spray nozzles; an expansive deck for relaxing; a tennis ball tree, among many other exciting features. In honor of Bauman’s four-legged playmate Beau, the City of Lancaster renamed the dog park Beau’s Dream Dog Park.
• 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).
• Deep Creek
  Deep Creek Lake is the perfect vacation destination for people looking to travel with their dogs. We consider our pets part of the family, so why leave them behind? Booking a dog-friendly rental home is the ideal solution – don’t leave your furry friend back home at boarding facility, let him/her experience the fun activities at Deep Creek Lake along with you! With quiet streets, pet-friendly businesses, a wide open lake and miles of hiking trails, Deep Creek, Maryland is a dog’s heaven on earth.
• Elm’s Beach Park
  Located on the Chesapeake Bay there are 476 acres of pet-friendly fun. Dogs are permitted but must be kept on a leash.
• Flag Ponds Nature Park
  Another park located on the Chesapeake Bay, you can enjoy both short and long hikes through freshwater ponds areas, forested heights, and sandy beaches with your dog. Dogs must be leashed at all times.
• John H. Downs Memorial Park & Dog Beach
  also situated on the Bay, Downs offers paved and natural trails and a dog beach. On the dog beach you can even let your dog off leash if you’d like.
• Kitchen Kettle Village
  You’ll enjoy this quaint shopping village which has all the hand-made items you would expect in Pennsylvania’s Amish Country. You’ll find quilts, leather goods, home decor, meats and cheeses, baked goods, a jam and relish kitchen, homemade ice cream, and kettle corn. There is also a petting zoo and carriage rides. Well behaved, leashed pets are welcome to join you on the grounds and and on the carriage rides.
• Knoebels Amusement Resort
  With no admission fee, this pay-as-you-ride amusement park is popular with the dogs, too! Dogs are permitted inside the park but must be kept on a leash and you pick up after your pooch.
• Lake Erie: Presque State Park
  A bit of a distance from Central PA, but the pristine beaches may be worth the drive. Pooches are allowed on all non-lifeguarded beaches with a 6 ft or shorter leash.
• The Landing Restaurant (New Hope, PA)
  A rare occurrence in our area: a restaurant where you can dine with your furry best friends. Dine on The Landing’s riverside terrace where your pet is treated like a guest, not a pest. Be sure to say hello to Fred, the Burmese Mountain Dog who mingles with guests on the terrace.
• Long Beach Island, NJ Dog Parks
  Long Beach Island has two dog parks. Barnegat Light’s dog park, on the north end of the island, has a double gated entrance for safety. Long Beach Township’s Dog Park has installed dune fencing so that the dogs can go from the beach to the water in relative safely. All licensed and well-behaved dogs are welcome.

Be sure to take plenty of water, treats, toys, and don’t forget bags to clean up after the dogs! Plan ahead if you think you would like to spend the night. There are many hotel chains that are becoming pet friendly, but some have restrictions of the type or number of animals you may have with you while others charge an additional pet fee.

If you have a favorite dog friendly destination spot, be sure to leave it in the comments, we’d love to try out some new doggie vacation spots!

 Sources:
http://www.petfriendlytravel.com/dog_beaches  
http://www.whenandwhere.com
http://www.bringfido.com/
http://www.gopetfriendly.com/