Murry and Julie Walton with Maggie and Blue Belle.
Dog’s Eye View, written by Boise, Idaho website designer, Julie Walton; her hubby, Murry; and their best friend and dog blogger, Maggie. (Note – sorry to report Maggie died October, 2012. We are happy to introduce you to to the newest member of our family, an adopted rescue Aussie/Heeler named Blue Belle.) She is the Rescue Dog that rescued us.
Our goal in creating this blog is to inform and educate our friends about dogs and the resources we have here in the beautiful Northwest, and to include some good clean fun!
If you have a suggestion, or idea, please feel free to comment or send an email. See the Comment Bubble at the top of each post. Thanks for your interest.
“The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue.” ~Author Unknown
Downsizing happens for many reasons. Perhaps you cannot afford your current mortgage. Maybe you simply want a smaller house to maintain. Whatever the reason, the process can be tedious and challenging, especially if you have a fuzzy, furry, or fluffy pet moving with you. To ensure a smooth transition for you and your animal, follow these four steps throughout the moving process, presented by DogBlog: A Dog’s Eyes View.
1. List New Home Modifications
If you are wondering what moving tasks you need to do for your pet, you are not alone. According to one report, some state populations in the U.S. are 70% pet owners, including Idaho. This means many people have to factor in pets when downsizing.
When you’re looking at a potential new home, note what accommodations it has for your animal and what modifications are needed to create a safe and comfortable space. Maybe it has a spacious living room so you can set up an area just for your precious pooches, but perhaps the yard is not fenced in. To keep your dog safe, connect with local fencing companies to get quotes on a new fence and installation.
Before meeting contractors in person, compare online reviews for contracting companies. This provides you with a better understanding of the pros and cons of each business before you commit. Homeowners spend an average of $4,500 to install a fence; this cost can vary depending on the fence’s size, location, and materials. The last thing you want after signing a contract is to realize you could have gotten a better deal somewhere else. Be sure the installer is licensed, insured, and knowledgeable of underground utility lines.
Another possible house modification is a doggy door. If you are gone for most of the day, or you simply have an independent pet, adding a doggy door lets your pup go outside as needed.
2. Fix Pet Damage in Your Home
While pets bring joy and love into your life, they also bring more wear and tear to your home. Potential buyers will likely notice these damages, and it may dissuade them from purchasing your house. Before listing your home, fix the pet damages throughout the rooms.
Common issues caused by pets include dirty carpets, scratched floors, floorboards, and walls, unpleasant odors, and water damage. Do a thorough assessment of your home to see what needs to be updated. You might need to hire a professional depending on how severe it is.
3. Find a Safe Place for Your Pet
When moving into the new house, you might need to live somewhere else during the transition. Plan ahead, so your pet has a safe place to stay during the transition period.
If you are renting an apartment, make sure pets are allowed. If you are staying with friends or family members, ensure they make accommodations for your pet. Do not forget to compensate them for any costs they spend.
4. Introduce Your Pet to the New Home
Before moving into your new home, bring your pet for a tour so he or she can explore. This way, your animal is comfortable with the new surroundings. If you cannot do a tour before moving, walk through the home and yard with your pet first thing on move-in day.
Just as you want your kids, siblings, or parents to be protected and cozy when downsizing, you want the same for your furry family members. When you take these proactive steps, your pets will be just as excited as you are for the new home.
Launching a business is an exciting experience, but it’s also a lot of work. And if you’ve just adopted a new pet, you likely have your hands full already! How are you supposed to divide your attention between your budding business and your new furry friend? To help you juggle your business while raising a happy, healthy, and well-adjusted pet, check out the following tips from A Dog’s Eye View!
Delegate Your Responsibilities
First, look for ways to delegate your business responsibilities so you can free up some time. Those first few weeks with your new pet are important for establishing household rules, forming a strong bond, and getting started on your training. The more time you can spend with your pet, the better!
Automation tools are a great option for small business owners looking to save time without spending a lot of money. You can find apps that automate invoicing, project management, accounting, lead generation, social media posting, email marketing, and more!
Outsourcing to freelancers is another great way to delegate your work without breaking the bank. Whether you need a web developer or a virtual assistant, it’s easy to find contractors at a rate you can afford by searching around on freelance job boards. For example, Upwork reports that the website designer hourly rate ranges from $15 to $30. You can also outsource non-work tasks, like home cleaning or grocery shopping, to carve out some extra time in your day.
Stick to a Routine
Routines are important for pets and people. Establishing a routine will help your new pet learn when they should expect walks, playtime, food, and attention. This will help you avoid issues with your dog whining for attention while you’re working or begging for food at all hours of the day. A solid routine is also important for house training puppies!
At the same time, your routine will help you stay on task when you’re working on your business. It’s easy to let the day get away from you when you’re working from home! With a set routine, you should be able to breeze through your daily work without too many distractions.
Commit to Consistent Training
As you go about your day, try to make time for regular training sessions with your new pet. Regular obedience training will help you bond with your new pet and ensure they develop the skills they need to become a well-adjusted member of your family.
Since dogs can be a major source of distraction when working from home, you might want to start by training your pet to rest quietly or play independently. Set up a comfortable space for your pet in your office where they can relax while you work. If you need help establishing these behaviors, don’t hesitate to consult a professional trainer!
Schedule Time for Walks and Interactive Play
Besides training, try to also make time for interactive play and daily walks with your pet. Regular exercise and mental stimulation are important for keeping your dog healthy, but also for preventing boredom and the destructive behaviors that result. Take regular breaks from your work so you can reward your pet for relaxing quietly with a quick play session. You can keep your pet occupied while you work with some interactive toys like treat toys or puzzle toys.
You may even want to drop off your dog at a doggy daycare center once or twice a week. This is a great way to help your dog maintain their social skills with other people and pets, and you’ll get a little break to focus on your business!
Pets make great companions for home-based business owners. Nothing’s better than plugging away at a computer with a furry friend curled up at your feet. And when your business gets stressful, your pet will be there to offer a play break or get you out of the house for a walk. Start looking for your new pet today!
Roto-Rooter reached out to us to make our readers aware of a free service they provide. This is what Maria said “Roto-Rooter is often called upon to save pets and wildlife stuck in precarious and oftentimes dangerous situations. Our expert technicians use state-of-the-art machinery to save the life of an animal in danger.” We thinks that’s awesome. Thanks, Maria for informing our dog blog community.
Blue Belle wants to draw folks attention to a company that is ready to help pets in your community. The company is Roto-Rooter which is well known for plumbing and water cleanup services. They also are available to help pets and wildlife that may be stuck in drains or pipes on your property. They have state-of-the-art machinery, drain/sewer video cameras as well as industrial excavation equipment to rescue trapped animals or pets. If you know of drains or pipes that pose a potential problem for your pets and other animals, Roto-Rooter will check out your property, find the problem areas and help you find a fix for them. And Roto-Rooter offers this fantastic service for free! We think that is great and you will too.
When you’re an entrepreneur, life can be a nonstop whirlwind of meetings, calculations, website updates, and social media management. You may plan to be a “solopreneur” with no outside help, or perhaps your aim is to run a small startup that’s mostly internet-based with a few freelancers. If you’re considering welcoming a new pet into this mixture of excitement and chaos, ensure that your new animal friend will feel safe, secure, and loved by implementing the following tips.
Keep Your New Pet Close
New mothers often “wear” their babies, and while you don’t have to strap your new dog or cat to your chest to attain a sense of closeness and security, you may want to take a page from the attachment parenting handbook and keep your new animal as close to you as possible during the day when he first comes home. Make sure to speak softly, offer as much physical affection as your new pet wants, and give him plenty of verbal reassurance and treats throughout your workday.
If you consider yourself a pet lover, there’s no doubt that you want the absolute best for your furry, finned, or feathered pals. Whether you have dogs, cats, birds, or other animals, it’s important to make sure that they are safe, happy, and comfortable. After all, your home is their home! Make sure you take a few simple steps to turn your home into a paradise for your pets so they can thrive. When pets are comfortable and happy, they’ll be healthier and likely live longer, too. Read on for some tips that will help you make a few simple changes to create the ultimate pet paradise.
Dogs
Dogs are man’s best friend, and that’s why it’s vital to keep them comfy and happy at home. Here are some tips for setting up a pooch paradise:
Designate a dog-friendly resting space: Dogs like soft, comfortable areas where they can sleep and feel safe. Create a sleeping spot in your home that’s up to their standards, such as a cozy corner of the living room or perhaps even a spot near your own bed. Dogs prefer natural fabrics like cotton, so look for dog beds made of this or other organic materials. The softer the dog bed, the happier they’ll be.
Keep their space tidy: Your home is your dog’s territory, so it’s important that they feel free to move around. Keep your home free of clutter, and don’t block your dog’s line of sight. Dogs need to be able to see through doorways and out of windows. A neat, clean space will make your pup comfortable and help them to feel like they’re able to protect their home since they can see any activity that’s going on around them.
Don’t use cleaning chemicals: Heavy-duty household cleaners often contain harsh, potentially toxic chemicals that can cause health problems in dogs (and other pets). Use cleaners that contain natural ingredients that won’t be dangerous if they’re ingested or breathed in. This won’t just benefit your dog – it will also benefit everyone else in the household, too!
Avoid using essential oils or strong fragrances: Essential oils can make your home smell wonderful, but they can also be highly toxic to dogs and other pets. Stay away from using any essential oils that can be accidentally ingested or breathed in since they may cause a number of serious health problems for canines and many other animals. Stick to other means of freshening the air in your home, like potpourri or scented candles made without essential oils as fragrance. Certain scents like citrus, ammonia, and perfumes can be upsetting to dogs, even if we humans aren’t bothered by them.
Designate a place for food and water: It’s in your dog’s instinct to protect his food and water. To make him feel comfortable, select a place in your home that will be used solely for feeding. When you create a “dining space’ for your dog, they’ll feel comfortable and in control of their environment and won’t have to worry about potential “predators” sneaking up and stealing their food.
“I know, I know – this is a blog for dog people. No worries. We can all show a little love to the cat people.” – Blue Belle the DogBlog Canine Contributor
This guest post was contributed by Brandon Butler. Thanks Brandon for your contribution.
Preparedness is key when bringing any new pet home, especially if you’ve never owned a pet before. While cats are relatively easy to care for, understanding the basics makes life with a feline a lot easier. If you’re planning to adopt your first cat, here’s everything you need to know.
Cat Care 101: The Basics
Are Cats Really Low-Maintenance?
Cats have a reputation as a low-maintenance pet. And compared to high-energy dog breeds, that’s true. Cats don’t require long walks and can be left alone for most of the day. However, cats aren’t a no-maintenance pet. Just like dogs, cats bond with their owners and enjoy interaction. Cats can also be finicky when their living environment isn’t kept to their standards.
Most importantly, cats are a lifetime commitment. And that can be a long time: Cats live for 14 to 16 years on average, and many indoor cats live 20 or more years! In addition to the daily responsibilities, make sure you’re ready for a long-term commitment when you adopt a cat.
Litter Box Rules for Cats
One cat equals one litter box, right? Not so fast. Even with daily scooping, one litter box may not be enough. According to feline behavior expert Jackson Galaxy, the rule of thumb is one litter box per cat plus one extra. Instead of hiding litter boxes in the garage or basement, put them where your cat spends most of its time.
Feeding Your Cat a Balanced Diet
Maintaining a healthy weight is critical for cats. Just a few extra pounds can push cats into obesity, where they’re at increased risk of arthritis, hip dysplasia, and diabetes. In addition to choosing a high-quality, vet-approved food and controlling portion sizes, cat owners should pay attention to their pet’s digestive health. Digestive problems can manifest in vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and poor coat quality. While some digestive problems are caused by underlying health conditions, in many cases a cat’s digestive health can be improved with high-quality, well-balanced wet food, though it’s important to do a little research before you dive in.
