A Day Of Dog Pampering – A Dog Care Supply Haul I Am Excited About

Disclaimer: I have received the products mentioned free of charge in exchange for an honest review. This post also contains affiliate links. See disclosure page for details

Due to the many allergies my little-adopted furry dog  friends have, do I refrain from sending them to a groomer, and rather take care of their needs myself. Even if that means some extra work – and the occasional times when I end up wetter than the dogs taking a bath – I love pampering my pooches, while the cat watches on from the distance.

But before washing them with our favorite Burts Bee Hypoallergenic Shampoo (for Dogs), however we had to try out our new Furbabies Retractable Dog Leash, and the dogs had a blast with that thing.

I have been staying away from retractable dog leashes, as I had a bad experience with them, having been cut, after it wrapping itself around my leg. So I was pleasantly surprised when the Furbabies 15 ft retractable leash offered a flat soft leash, that will prevent these accidents from happening. While it states, that it is for small dogs – and I originally accepted the offer, because I wanted to use it on a small toy chihuahua, it is better suited for my medium dogs of 30 pounds (Welsh Corgi/Beagle mix), and a Rhodesian Ridgeback mix (45 pounds).The handle of the dog leash alone would have been heavier than our little friend, so we are sticking with a generic, non-retractable leash for our cute sweetheart.  But, for my two larger high energy dogs, this leash is now my favorite.

Adding the finishing touches to their day by using our Safari dog nail clippers, my dogs are again presentable, even if they might not have enjoyed the last part as much as the did the new leash. I contemplated the use of doggie nail polish, but I am pretty sure, my husband would have thought I was completely crazy, so I led that one go.

After such adventure, we are usually all exhausted, as you can see by how one of my puppies passed out, watching us play Sorry!. 

 

Question: What are your favorite ways to pamper your pets? Do you have a special groomer you take them to, or do you also DIY their beauty routine at home?

 

This post is a part of the following blog hops:
March Week #4 Blog hop

What Are You Doing In March Blog Hop

Winter Is Leaving Blog Hop

No Rules Weekend Blog Party

 

 

 

How To Make Your Own Cat Food

 

Disclaimer: The following post contains affiliate links, see Disclosure page for details

Upon request of a dear reader, I am writing today about making your own cat food. But before sharing a recipe with you, I would like to take a moment to caution you about making your own pet food. My dogs are fed exclusively on homemade dog food, due to severe allergies. They simply can not eat the commercial stuff without loosing all of their fur, and breaking out.  My cat, on the other hand, is almost exclusively fed on commercial food, because he has no allergies. If you are feeding all of your pets homemade food, do not feed the same food you make for your dogs to your cat. With very different nutritional needs, you would have to cook separately. That said, I make homemade cat food as an occasional treat, which he enjoys very much.

 

There are a few foods that should never be added to homemade cat food. Those are:

 

• Garlic
• Onions
• Raisins
• Raw Egg whites
• Tomatoes
• Grapes

Some people will tell you that garlic keeps away fleas, in both cats and dogs, but it is also poisonous to their system. So stick with the commercial flea protection like Bayer Advantage  and skip the garlic

 

When feeding the amount of homemade cat food, keep the following factors in mind, when giving food:

1. Age
2. Activity level
3. pre-existing conditions
4. size of the cat

 

You should consult your holistic veterinarian for feeding guidelines, or consult books specifically written on the subject.

 

Basic Cat Food Recipe:

 

• 1/4 teaspoon olive oil or salmon oil
• 7 grams of feline vitamin/mineral supplement
• 30 grams of potato, cooked without skin
• 50 grams of carbs (choose one: cooked pasta, white rice, barley, oatmeal, peas)
• 83 grams of cooked animal protein (whole meat chicken, lamb, rabbit, beef, pork, tuna, salmon)

Mix all of the ingredients together (a blender works really well for this purpose) and store the food in the fridge until needed

 

Some of my vegan friends consider feeding their cats and dogs an animal protein-free diet. I personally do not recommend that the same goes for raw diets. Most people making homemade food for their pets will agree that liver should only be fed on occasion as the animal protein given. I completely stay away from liver, as my dogs both seem to have an adverse reaction to it (even though they love the flavor). Every animal will react different to a homemade diet, therefore, your vigilance is required.
Here are two books I highly recommend on the subject:

Dinner PAWsible: A Cookbook of Nutritious, Homemade Meals for Cats And Dogs

available on Amazon now

 

 

 The Ultimate Guide To Cats Food

available on Amazon now

 

 

This post is a part of the following blog hops:

Amaze Me Monday

Manic Monday Blog Hop

Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop

Keeping It Simple

Show And Share 

4 Health Reasons You Should Add A Pet To Your Life

Having a pet changes many aspects of your life. I purposely did not write “own” a pet, because most pet owners can tell you that most likely you are owned by them, rather than the other way around, especially if you have a cat in the family.

But did you know that pets can also affect your overall health?

Here are a list of 4 ways a pet has a positive affect on your health:

1.According to Dr. Silke Wechsung of the University of Bonn, Germany, simply being close to a dog can have a lowering effect on your pulse rate, which is a sign of relaxation. Instantly, the overall well being begins to improve, no matter what happened before the contact with the animal.

2.She also suggests that active engagement with your pet, via play, stops negative self-talk, by interrupting and redirecting it. This is especially helpful for someone who suffers from depression, and has a hard time disconnecting from negative train of thought without an outside influence, preventing spirals into even deeper depression.

3. It brings needed structure into a daily routine. Especially older people, people who live by themselves and suffer from that loneliness, or have depression, creating a positive structure can have a very positive affect on their overall health. A pet, no matter which type, forces the individual to create and follow a routine, no matter what.

4. Dog walks, having to take your pet outside no matter what the weather is like, also strengthens the immune system, according to Dr. Wechsung. Regular outdoor exercise with your dog, becomes a preventive health measure.

If you are considering to add a pet to your family, please always consider getting a pet from a shelter. There are hundreds of animals waiting for a home, and to give back to you, by being your companion and healthy support.

Thank you.

Check Out This Great Dog Bed From Our Affiliate ActiveDogToys.com 

 

Disclaimer: The above post contained affiliate links to ActiveDogToys.com – see Disclosure Page for Details

Living With Allergies: Making My Own Dog Food

(Disclaimer: This blog post contains afiliate links, experiences and opinions are always my own. Check with your holistic veterinerian before adjusting your pets diet )

As I have mentioned on this blog before, our allergies do not only extend to all of the people in the household but also include one of my three rescues, Athena. She is the sweetest Rhodesian Ridgeback you will ever meet, mellow inside of the house, and full of energy as soon as she goes outside.

Athena, when she was a puppy

She has an allergy to gluten not affecting her stomach and digestion,  but rather giving her the most uncomfortable rash and skin irritations that you can imagine. At one point during our search for finding her comfort, she had almost lost all of her fur and it was hard  to keep her from scratching herself raw.. On top of that she is allergic to fleas, some grasses, any type of household bug spray and some cleaners.

She is the reason we are living in a home without carpet, and in an area where her access to grass is limited and controlled.

Paleo Chef for Dogs: Homemade Gluten-Free Dog Food Recipes

One of the many things we have done to give her relief – which she has now all of her fur back and is back to her normal, beautiful energetic self – is that I make the dog food myself. Thankfully there are many websites, and books available now, which cover this subject, and even if it is time-consuming, it is worth it for me. Her comfort is above that little bit of extra effort.

I have collected a few links to recipes here,  so you can make some for your own dogs.

Homemade Kibble

5 “Best” Dog Recipes (includes chicken and fish based dog food)

Question:

 Do you have a special needs pet you are taking care off? What are your experiences?

P.S. Thankfully the other dog in our home does not have any allergies, but during her surgery to be fixed, they nicked her bladder, which means as soon as she gets excited, she leaks. Poor baby, we love her no matter what.

Blessings!

Claudia

Gratitude, Halloween And Honoring Those Who Passed

On this day before Halloween, I am usually pretty excited and giddy, getting ready to celebrate what is for me as a Pagan more than just a dress up in crazy clothes day. This year, though, I will work instead, and considering that we are in a temporary place, not celebrate with our usual abandon. Still, Halloween or Samhain will be exciting enough, as we celebrate and honor those who have left before us.

Therefore, my gratitude list today focuses on some special people and animals in my life that have moved on.

1. My grandfather
He passed away exactly one week after my 12th birthday, but during the short time I had him in my life, he made a lasting impression. Leaving me with an independent spirit and the freedom to choose my own path (he insisted that I would not be raised in any faith so I could make up my own mind later on), I honor him today.

2. My adopted Father
While he left me with many scars and wounds that will always define how I view the world, he introduced to me the need of taking care of our world around us. He taught organic gardening to many people, including me. He also gave me access to mythology and ancient traditions which define much of my belief system to this day.

3. Angel
Probably the strangest animal I have ever met, but also the most profoundly loving cat there was. After adopting his mother without knowing that she was pregnant, he was one of the 2  kittens (out of a litter of 6) who were completely bald. Sphynx cats are rare, and well, I must say ugly, but he was the most beautiful animal to me. After his death, I had sworn never to get another pet, because the loss was too great. But, I currently have two dogs and another cat. Still, he will always be my true Angel.

I am very grateful for having had many people in my life, briefly or for a long period of time, that made a large impact on me, and brought me to the choices I made to become me.

Whom are you grateful for in your life? Why not share that list via the Celebrate The Small Things Blog hop hosted by Lexa Cain? And stop on by Dory’s Backyard, where everyone is talking about shelter animals.

Forever – A Flash Fiction

“How could anyone ever abandon something as beautiful as her, is beyond me”, Sue sighed. “Beautiful she is, even in this condition, you are right.”, Meryl agreed. “Hopefully, as soon as she is fed, washed, and gets some rest, she will be able to find a good forever home.” The young woman smiled, at the vet, while stroking the light brown fur.” Don’t worry ’bout her, I’ll make her mine.”

Copyright Claudia H. Blanton 2015

This post was inspired by this weeks flash fiction prompt “Abandon“

Man’s Best Friend – A Flash Fiction Fantasy

“You finally have a chance to talk to me, in a way that I can understand you, and you are only asking for  three things?”
“I am dog, we are simple creatures, what do you really expect me to ask you about, the meaning of life itself? Or for the reason you insist on watching these god-awful reruns of the 70’s show?”

Ben shook his head.

“Very funny Hector. And I really do like that show.”
“Well, I really like bacon. Real bacon, not that fake stuff you sometimes get, trust me, it is nothing like bacon at all. That box thing lies to you humans all of the time.”
“I am aware of that. The lies, I mean”.
“Then why are you watching it?”
“I am not justifying my television habits to you. You have questionable habits too. I caught you eating out of the cat litter box, for crying out loud”.
The retriever lowered his eyes the floor.
“Only once. I wanted to know more about that furry thing you brought home.”
“By eating his shit?”
“Then give me some real bacon to eat. There is my alternative.”
Ben chuckled.
“Okay, deal. A back-scratcher?”
“Yes, for you to scratch me with, my back, I mean. Isn’t that what they are for? Or is that another human thing, where it has a name, but it means something else?”
“No, it’s to scratch backs, I will get you one. But that third one, come on, how am I supposed to arrange that?”
“A play date with that Doberman Pinscher next door? Easy. You are attracted to her owner. That way we both get what we want!”
“Hector, seriously!”
“I am looking out for you here, man.”

Ben shook his head, then grinned as he thought about the brown eyed, pretty young woman, who had moved next door just  two weeks earlier. Her sweet smile, had made his heart jump, the first time he saw her enter their building, her puppy by her side.
“Yeah, you are looking out for me.”
“Man’s best friend, you know. Just doing my job.”

Y Is For Yes!

Yesterday was my 100’th blog post since I moved Avalon to WordPress, yeah!

So today, I am going to celebrate, by writing a list of things I absolutely love! Maybe at the end you can tell me some of the things you say Yes to!

1. walking/hiking – favorite form of exercise, but sadly I don’t have the opportunity to hike here. I do get to walk a lot every day, averaging about 3 miles a day
2. spicy foods – I love me some really good chicken wings! More so if my husband makes them (we used to own a restaurant, he is a fantastic cook), yummy
3. Books – no surprise here!
4. 30 Seconds To Mars – what is there not to love! I just can’t believe that Jared is older then I am, he looks like a twenty year old (sorry about the fangirl moment)
5. quiet – I love morning quietness, when the house is still silent before everyone else gets up, there is peace in this type of solitude
6. blogging – well duh – otherwise I would not do it. I have an opinion about everything, so this is the perfect platform to let some of that loose
7. Lake Garda, Italy – seriously the most beautiful place on the planet, that I have seen so far. I have been there 6 times, can’t wait to share that space with my kids
8. Museums – it does not really matter if it is modern art, history, or a local collection in a small town – I love visiting museums, and I was lucky to have grown up in a city where there were many of them, at least 7 large ones and a few smaller collections.
9. Gardening – there is something profoundly meditative about gardening, the entire process of preparing the soil, getting ones hands dirty, tending to what was planted and reaping the harvest, that is so primal, yet sophisticated, delicate, yet hardy.
10. Animals – not just my own (we have three rescues – a cat and two dogs), but animals in a broughter sense. We do not buy products tested on animals, and while not all of us are strict vegans, we do try to limit animal products, and honor those who have given their lives to nourish our bodies.

What do you say “Yes” to? What are your favorite things in the world? Share some in the comment section below!