After some extremely cold Polar Vortex winters, we're back in an El Nino effect here in Cleveland. Today it was 70 degrees. While I can't help but worry about our planet with these unseasonably extremes, I selfishly enjoy being able to enjoy the outdoors a little longer. Nearly every night this week I was able to take Woody out for a walk among the Christmas lights. This was one of those Instagrams that looks awesome, but I feel needs a disclaimer. What it looks like: Woody candidly walking toward me with the beautiful lights in the background. What this really was: I spent about 5 minutes trying to get a shot while all he wanted to do was pee on things and everyone walking by certainly thought I was crazy.
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Between trips to Europe and Camp Bow Wow, weddings, birthday parties and upcoming holidays a lot has been going on here. But Woody is finally recovering from fall allergies with a smile. We aren't ready for winter, but at least it's a reminder to appreciate the warm weather and long days.
If you are a Cleveland dog owner and haven't heard about Dogs in the Cle, you have to check them out. Whereas I focus on more random doggie musings, Dogs in the Cle focuses on all of the dog-friendly happenings in the area. Plus, they highlight adoptable dogs weekly.
Recently, I posted about Woody's once-a-year ice cream outing. The people over at BarkPost must have read my mind about would be nice to let him have a sweet indulgence more than once a year. I recently came across this post with dog-friendly treats like peanut butter swirl and pumpkin delight. Once I make one of these, I will report back on how Woody liked it!
File this under "things my dog does while I'm at work." Woody has gotten really good at building caves to burrow in with my bedding. It doesn't matter if the bed is made, he will find a way to make a cave. This is his best work yet: What crazy things does your dog do when you aren't home?
The last few weekends I haven't been the best dog mom in that most of the activities I've been doing were not dog friendly. So this weekend I wanted to make it up to Woody. Saturday we took him to Edgewater Beach to watch the sunset and get a little bit of ice cream. I try to take him for ice cream once a summer as a treat - just a little bit of plain vanilla is all he needs. Edgewater serves Honey Hut, one of Cleveland's local ice cream staples. Sunday we checked out the Hingetown Sunday Market. I go to a lot of markets in Cleveland - Cleveland Flea and Night Market are a few of my other favorites - but I personally feel that this one is the best for a solid mix of vintage finds and handmade artisan goods. It is also really laid back and features some of the best food trucks and beverages for a nice Sunday Funday. This chill vibe is great for dogs because you aren't fighting the big crowds of other events so you don't have to worry about your pup getting trampled. The market takes place on the third Sunday of every month through October, so definitely check one out before 2015 is over. Woody not only got to eat the bacon off my breakfast sandwich from Off the Griddle, but also got a souvenir from Ohio City Dog Haven. What are some of your favorite outdoor activities that you have to do with your dog before summer is over? Comment below!
Woody was not having this uninvited house guest tonight. And yes, I am aware I screwed up the orientation at first. One of the best ways to determine how much a business loves dogs is if they provide a friendly place for the dog to stop by and take a break. This pit stop was brought to us by Flourish, a Cleveland-based ad agency.
This guest post comes to you from Vee Cecil. Vee is a wellness coach, personal trainer and bootcamp instructor. Vee is passionate about studying and sharing her findings in wellness through her recently launched blog, which you can read here. It's good stuff people! It only takes a split second for a rambunctious pet to get into trouble. My neighbors and I learned that the hard way last summer when we were spending a day by their pool.
My neighbor was tossing a football in the pool with his son and their boxer was helpfully running after any missed throws. Well, one miss managed to hit a shelf where my neighbor was keeping his pool chemicals and knocked the container of chlorine to the ground. Of course, their dog ran right for the ball, unaware of the danger. Thankfully, we were able to grab him before he got to the spilled chlorine, but it was eye opening for my neighbor. Now, he keeps his pool chemicals locked in an outdoor shed. The dangers associated with pool chemicals often get overlooked, but they can be very dangerous for our four-legged friends. This Q&A addresses some common questions for pet owners: Can chlorinated water harm my pet’s skin or eyes? Like humans, some pets may have sensitive eyes and/or skin. So, yes, even a properly chlorinated pool could cause a pet to have a reaction. An article from EveryDayHealth.com on dogs and water safety provides a great tip. It advises that a good way to gauge how your pet is reacting to chlorinated water is to look at their eyes. If their eyes are red, then they may be having a reaction, and it’s time to get out of the pool. What should I do if I think my pet is exposed to a pool chemical? Despite our best efforts, we can’t always know what our pets are getting into. And even when we take every precaution, they may manage to work their way into an area where chemicals are being kept. And that’s why it’s important that you know as much as possible about the chemicals used in your pool or any nearby pools. As this pool chemical safety checklist explains, all of these chemicals have what is called a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). The MSDS provides the chemical’s flammability and procedures for what to do if someone is exposed to the chemical. And of course, if you think your pet has ingested a chemical or has gotten it on their skin, call your vet immediately! My pet likes to drink from the pool. Should I be worried? In addition to being a fun place to swim, to your pet, a pool might look like a giant water bowl. You can try, but if your pet is spending a lot of time by the pool this summer, you will probably not be able to prevent him or her from taking a few gulps of pool water. As this Q&A from the Houston Chronicle points out, while pool water in small amounts won’t harm your pet, it’s best not to let them make a habit out of drinking the water. Keep a bowl of fresh water in the pool area so that they can get a sip whenever they need it. What should I do if I spill one of the chemicals? Accidents certainly do happen, and if you’re in charge of keeping your pool clean, chances are you might spill one of the chemicals at some point this summer. If a spill does occur, remove your pet from the area until you have it all cleaned up. If the spill is relatively small, the National Capital Poison Center recommends that you hose the area down. For larger spills, refer to the chemical’s MSDS. There’s no reason your pet can’t spend time with you at the pool. But it’s important that all pet owners understand the possible dangers that pool chemicals can pose for their furry friends. |
AuthorI'm just a twenty-something female raising the weirdest dog I've ever met. Archives
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