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From Pet-Sitter to Mom

March 20, 2019

Sophie in the Spring should be the title of this post, but when I think about it, the title is perfect. I became a dog mom again after being Sophie's pet sitter for some years!

It all started four years ago when my neighbor found a little and skinny white dog outside her house. She already had a dog, but the new furry guest went into the house. She got food, a bed, and a roof, things that were new for her, I am sure of this because she was in terrible shape.

My neighbor wanted to find a good home for her, but at the same time, she was afraid to give the pooch to anyone who may not take good care of her. Then... the lovely dog was named Sophie.

I used to go to my friend's house 2 or 3 times a week to feed her doggies at lunch. It felt like a party every time the dogs saw me entering the house!

I had a dog at that time: Winnie, and she was very sensitive to have another dog at home, so I was not able to keep Sophie. My Winnie crossed the rainbow almost two years ago, and I was not ready to get another dog not because I didn't want to, but for many other reasons.

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And the right time is now. My neighbor hurt her hip and would not be able to take care of Sophie anymore. I offered to keep Sophie temporarily at the house but after a few days living together... I would not be able to say goodbye to Sophie! She stole my heart. We were meant to be together after four years, not as her pet-sitter, but as her new mom!

Sophie came home just in time for the Spring!

In Adoption, Announcements, Dogs, Pet Sitting
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Puppy Bowl XV

January 31, 2019

I am not sure which of the two Super Bowl games is my favorite, The Super Bowl LIII or the Puppy Bowl XV... The Puppy Bowl of course! Not only because it is the cutest event but because Animal Planet works with animal shelters and rescue organizations across the US to help animals find a loving forever home. They will also promote veteran animals through the "Puppy Bowl Hall of Fame."

And there's more! Cute puppies will share the event with some fantastic animals like Kangaroos who will be the cheerleaders jumping and cheering the teams, a Capybara and Porcupines will act as mascots, and the game would not be complete without the referee… a Sloth! Watch this video to see some behind the scenes of the Puppy Bowl XV. Wouldn’t be great to be there?

Don't miss this fun event on Sunday, February 3 at 3 PM ET/ 12 PT. Animal Planet makes a fantastic contribution to our furry friends' lives! If you want to bring an angel to your home, don't wait until the Puppy Bowl starts to visit their Pet Adoption Resources Page for more information.

In Adoption, Announcements, Causes, Celebrations, Dogs, Puppies, Senior Dogs, Videos
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Free Printable Gift Tags for your Pets!

December 6, 2018

I published this post last year, but it’s this time of the year again! Print these free gift-tags for your pet’s presents and share with family and friends.

It is exciting when you get the perfect gift for family and friends, or when you create something with your own hands, bake a cake, cookies, etc. No matter what, you are excited, but I am sure that you are even more happy to get something special for your pet! Am I right?

Well, I have a present for you (and your pets). Your beautifully wrapped present needs the final touch: a lovely gift tag. Click here to download the pdf with a variety of designs for your personal use (and share it with friends too!)

Another way to celebrate the Holidays is to get a present for those pets in need. There are many ways to do this. Here are some ideas:

  • Make a Holiday party with your neighbors and their pets. Ask each one to bring bags of food and take all to a shelter.

  • Save one month of what you spend at the coffee shop every day and donate it to a charity.

  • Volunteer at a shelter to play with pets and take dogs to a walk.

  • Adopt a new pet! A new member of the family will be the best present from Love! (for you and the pet)

I hope you like these ideas and enjoy the Season!

In Celebrations, Causes, Design, DIY, Free Downloads
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A Safe Halloween for your Dog

October 25, 2018

Halloween is around the corner! You have a to-do list that includes buying treats and candies, costumes, pumpkin carving and maybe even a big party at home. You want to remember every detail and your dog is one of the first things on the list!

If you are thinking about ways to keep your pet safe and happy, here are some ideas that you can add to your list:

  • Keep your dog inside your home, unless your neighborhood is quiet and you want to take your dog out for a walk. Sometimes children go running to pet a dog, and they don't ask if it's safe to do it. Your pet may be the friendliest pet in the world, but in different situations, he can be scared and bite someone! We don't want a scary Halloween.

  • If you sIf you stay at home to greet children at the door with treats, put your dog in a separate and quiet area. If it's possible, take turns with the family so one person can stay and play with the dog. Noises and unknown smells coming from the door that can make your dog feel nervous. Make Halloween a happy day for your pet.

  • Be careful if you have children. Explain to your kids that they can't give candies or chocolates to the dog and watch them anyway. Your dog may have "that begging face" that kids can’t resist. Instead, have a small batch of treats specially made for your furry friend!

  • Does your dog have a tag or a microchip? Halloween is not as scary as fireworks for dogs, but if you get distracted and your dog is anxious, he could run away!

  • If you wIf you want to make a costume for your dog, make sure you make it with a soft and comfortable fabric and nothing so complicated that he can't move.

  • Do you want to take your dog to celebrate? Check with the pet shops in your area, some of them have dog parades and costume contests.

If you want to get more tips for your dog's safety on Halloween, check these posts with more information:

The Humane Society: How to give your pets a safe and happy Halloween

ASPCA: Halloween Safety Tips

PetMD: 10 Halloween Safety Tips for Pets

Have a happy and safe Halloween! And don't forget to add these tips to your to-do list. Do you have another suggestion? Share it on the comments!

In Celebrations, Illustration
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3 Surefire Ways to Be a Conscientious Dog Owner

July 14, 2018

This is a guest post from Jessica Brody. She is an animal advocate and loves to promote pet adoption and share happy stories on her website. I loved her post! She provides useful information for people who want to adopt a pet. Keep reading…

No matter how you slice it, owning a dog is work, but if you’re up for the challenge, a furry friend can enhance your life in ways you didn’t even think were possible. While you may have the greatest admiration for your pet, your neighbors may not. If you’re going to be a dog owner, you have to be a conscientious one. Make sure you’re doing your due diligence by instituting behavioral techniques and proper pooch etiquette at home and on the go.

1. Obedience 101

Whether you take on the task yourself or enroll your dog into an obedience school, it’s crucial that your pooch learns basic manners so he can properly interact with other dogs and people. Basic commands include “sit,” “come,” “stay,” “down,” and “leave it.” Additional training also includes:

●  Crate training: This helps with house/potty training in younger dogs so you can establish rules from day one.

● Leash training: Due to leash laws, every dog needs to learn how to be leashed, so start with basic walking skills. For example, a loose leash gives your dog the freedom to walk and explore without pulling or tugging, which is great for you, too. It’s also important to teach your dog how to interact with other passing dogs and humans without jumping or getting too excited.

● Agility training: This method of obedience is great for both you and your dog. Since you’ll be helping your furry friend through the agility courses, you’ll be building trust while strengthening verbal and communication skills. The two of you will stay in shape, too! Added benefits for your dog include fulfilling natural instincts and learning problem-solving skills.

2. Expel Extra Energy at a Dog Park

In order to keep your dog out of mischief at home (biting furniture, digging up your garden, etc.), let him expel extra energy at the dog park. Just make sure you play by the rules at the park:

● Keep up with your dog’s vaccinations.
● Get your pooch microchipped but at the very least, make sure he has updated ID tags.
● Clean up any waste immediately.
● Monitor your dog’s behavior so he doesn’t get too feisty with other dogs, or vice versa.

3. Be Mindful of Your Yard

While maintaining your yard is good for your home’s curb appeal, it will also keep your neighbors happy. Of course, yard awareness includes how your pooch reacts in the space.

● Install a fence: Wooden fences are best because they can be built high enough to prevent your dog from escaping, allow for more privacy, and are generally more attractive than a chain-link fence.

● Clean up waste: This should be a part of your weekly—if not daily—routine in an effort to avoid odor and the spread of dangerous parasites and bacteria.

● Keep your dog from barking: While this can be easier said than done, a perpetually noisy pooch can prompt a surly neighbor to call the police or even animal control. Tiring your dog out and knowing when to take him indoors can help, but training techniques are better for the long term. For instance, don’t yell, be consistent with your techniques, remove/block the motivation that’s causing your pooch to bark, desensitize your dog to the stimulus, and execute the “quiet” command. If all else fails, seek the assistance of a trainer.

It’s important to note that depending on age and breed, not all dogs need the same level of obedience training or guidance. Even so, there is likely to be a habit or two that can be improved. A well-behaved dog is one the whole neighborhood will love.

AUTHOR BIO: Jessica Brody created OurBestFriends to offer a place for animal lovers to share their favorite pet photos and stories about their furry pals.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

In Dogs, Tips, Training, Guest Post
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World Veterinary Day

World Veterinary Day

April 28, 2018

Happy Veterinary Day! I want to say THANK YOU to all veterinarians who love their profession and treat our pets like their own. They have patience and compassion, and they know how stressful is for a pet parent to have a "kid" sick.

Thank you to Dr. Sanchez in Mexico City, to Dr. Donelly from Banfield in Vista, CA, and to Dr. Renee, Dr. Nancy, Dr. Rivera and Dr. Micaela in Baja. I was fortunate that in every city I lived, I found excellent Veterinarians.

World Veterinarian Day

Today is their celebration! World Veterinary Day was initiated by the World Veterinary Association (WVA) since the year 2000 and it is celebrated the last Saturday of April each year. With the World Organization of Animal Health (OIE), they created the World Veterinarian Day Award to reward the best contribution to the veterinary profession. This year the theme is "The role of the veterinary profession in sustainable development to improve livelihoods, food security, and safety"

"Faced with global challenges such as the growing world population and the rise in demand for animal protein,the environment’s deterioration and decrease of natural resources and the emergence of zoonotic diseases, veterinarians are playing a crucial role in securing the development of more   sustainable, responsible and  efficient livestock production systems to ensure sufficient resources for future generations. "

Submissions end on May 31st, 2018. If you want more information about this, click here for applications and background.

Happy Day to ALL Veterinarians! You rock!

In Celebrations, Veterinary
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Disclaimer

The information contained on this blog is written by me, Rosa Fierro (unless stated otherwise) as a result of my own research. Please check with your veterinary before using any of the products or food items mentioned in this blog. The posts on Woof Love are only my personal opinions.

Copyright 2018 by Rosa Fierro