A Kenneling Alternative

Jennifer Houghton

Lyme Disease Prevention Month

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Lyme Disease Prevention Month

Warm Weather Is a Reminder to Protect Your Pet From Lyme Disease and Other Tick-Related Diseases

By Jennifer Houghton
Social Media Coordinator/Editor, The Scoop

Each year when the temperatures begin to indicate that winter has receded and spring is fully in swing, I check the closet for my supply of flea and tick prevention topical solution.

Depending on your individual situation, your routine may not mimic mine. And since vaccines are not available for every type of disease your pet could contract from a tick bite, it is important to take some type of action to prevent Lyme or other tick-related diseases or a flea infestation.

My vet advises that I keep my dog, Ginger, on a year-round schedule for flea and tick prevention. She cautioned me at our last annual exam that there is always a possibility if the temperatures get above freezing that a tick could become active and my little ninja dog could get a tick bite in her own backyard without some type of protection. [Read more…] about Lyme Disease Prevention Month

Hibernating Season Kicks Off

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DearFloofy_CrossingTheRainbowBridge

Dear Floofy Column – October 2015

Dear Floofy,

With autumn in full swing I can’t help but notice that my pooch seems to be entering into a period of hibernation. Is this normal?

Sincerely, 

Snoozing All Day

Dear Snoozing,

Many floofins take their cues from us, their pet parents. So, unless you have a bear making a den under your couch, what you are witnessing is probably a combination of the seasonal fluctuations in the home environment coupled with the cooling temperatures at night that make snuggling and snoozing so appealing.

Look around and take note of your activities. Likely, they are increasingly taking place indoors. And like all of our pack, we tend to gravitate towards one another to be part of the action.

This brings Floofy to her words of wisdom as the temperatures continue to move lower and we continue to move indoors for most, if not all, of our general day-to-day chores! Consider cutting back on food quantity! [Read more…] about Hibernating Season Kicks Off

Secondhand Gifts

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DearFloofy_CrossingTheRainbowBridge

Dear Floofy Column – September 2015

Dear Floofy,

With all the back-to-school supplies cluttering my house, I feel like I need to start spring cleaning. Even the dog toys are everywhere. What do I do?

Sincerely, 

Stepping Gingerly

Dear Stepping,

Floofy herself was never quite convinced that there was a need for “spring” cleaning. She finds that as autumn fades into fall, the first thing Floofy wants to do is toss out the old and nest inside the things that make her happy. While Floofy can’t speak to school supplies, she does have some ideas for your dog toy overflow.

First, have you located a storage receptacle? A toy box designed for dogs or a basket that will hold the items now littering your floor? It is a great way to keep things in one spot. Though, if you have the type of floofin Dear Floofy has, you’ll also need to take the opportunity to teach your floofin how to replace her toys into the basket. [Read more…] about Secondhand Gifts

Regrets and Lessons

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DearFloofy_CrossingTheRainbowBridge

Dear Floofy Column – August 2015

Dear Floofy,

Some days I think I am the greatest pet parent on the planet. Other days, I wonder if I’m doing a good enough job. Do you ever have days when you feel this way? And how do you deal with it?

Sincerely, 

Questioning My Choices

Dear Questioning,

It goes without saying that struggles are part of pet parenting and life! Remember when your now senior pooch was a puppy and chewed through a box of old photos that couldn’t be replaced? Or the time you got delayed and didn’t get home in time for your after-work walk and there was a puddle and an embarrassed dog waiting for you? Floofy remembers crying on the floor at childhood photos with teeth prints in the center of people’s faces. But, Floofy knew she left the pictures where a curious puppy could get to them. [Read more…] about Regrets and Lessons

Until School Days Return

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DearFloofy_CrossingTheRainbowBridge

Dear Floofy Column – July 2015

Dear Floofy,

With school out, I have kids and dogs roaming my house with a lot of complaints about boredom. What should I do?

Sincerely,

When Does School Start Up Again

Dear School,

Floofy knows the school year schedule by the barks of her floofin as the kiddos hike past the house en route to the bus stop. Floofy knows summer has started when she can make it past 6:45 a.m. on a weekday morning without hearing a ruckus at the front window. [Read more…] about Until School Days Return