If you have a split screen door, take the top half out to allow you to hand out goodies while keeping your dog safely in the house.
Tip #1 Metal Edging
Spring is here and now is the time to take stock of upcoming chores. If you still have sharp edged metal edging snaking around your garden areas, make 2010 the year to deal with it. And if you need convincing of the importance of this, just ask your vet. Be sure they tell you what it costs for all those stitches, and how long your dog will be wearing the dreaded collar.
We used to suggest placing the vinyl cover over the sharp area, but the vinyl tends to warp away from the sharp edges. A newer choice is metal edging with rolled top edge. It might still hurt or bruise if stepped on, but will not cut paws or feet. Also, place the edger no higher than the grass.
Something else to consider is a more permanent paver edge. Your independent garden center has lots of ideas ready for you to consider.
Tip #2 Chemicals
Weeds, insects, fungus. There is a chemical solution for just about every pesky garden problem.
My first suggestion is to find a natural product to solve the problem. There are more choices today than ever before, along with help to select the right one for your situation at your local independent garden center.
Whether you choose a natural or chemical type product, read and follow the directions on the package. All products are carefully tested, and the consumer information on the package is the result of all that testing. Also, keep in mind that the directions for use are their contract with you.
Whenever using a liquid product, always keep pets and children away from the treated area until the product is dry. When using a dry type product, allow it to settle before turning the pets loose. As always, follow label directions.
Tip #3 Big box store or independent garden center?
Why go to the neighborhood garden center instead of the chain box store when the chain store prices will be less? Most of our local garden centers are staffed with people who make horticulture their career and study both in college and with continuing education at their stores. I find good suggestions for plants and products that will be safer for my pets.
Early spring is training time at most garden centers as employees learn the latest information about the products they sell. Most regions host a trade show each winter where seminars are presented for all the local horticultural businesses. These businesses include garden centers, wholesale growers and suppliers, turf farms, landscape companies and students from the local trade schools and colleges.
Information, better selection, and quality are the reasons I use the local garden center. I know I am paying more for my perennials, but employees can address my particular pet-specific needs and my plants come with the experience and expertise of every person involved with production from seed starting to final sale.
Just something to think about.
Shelter or Rescue??
Nearly six years ago, we were at the Dog Expo held annually at the National Western Complex in Denver. We walked through the rescue group area looking for the Rhodesian Ridgeback Rescue group. They were not there that day. However, the Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies was there with two of their dogs. One was a seven month old, the other, seven years. The older dog nuzzled over to us, resting his head on our laps when we sat down. When we learned his name was Barney, the same name as our Rhodesian who had died a few months earlier, we knew another Golden Retriever would soon join our home. Right now Barney is asleep at my feet, secure in the knowledge that he has a forever home with us. I cannot fathom why someone gave him up, but very grateful that we were there that day to have him find us.
Where will you find this new member of your family? There are city and county run shelters in almost all communities. There are also many privately run shelters. Most will do their very best to avoid euthanasia, and use it only as a last resort when they are way too crowded. This is a hard reality that is unavoidable. Many of the private shelters are no kill shelters, and they have to work extra hard for donations to feed and shelter all the critters that come their way.
In addition to shelters, there are rescue organizations for just about any breed of dog you might be interested in. (more…)
October was National Adopt a Shelter Pet month. November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month.
Barney enjoys hanging out with his family everywhere they go!
Every day of the year there is a need for homes for shelter pets. Right now the need is especially great, as more pets than ever have been turned over to shelters (or abandoned) as people struggle with job loss and lost homes. We have a promise with our dogs that were we to lose our home and we had to live in our car, they would live there with us. I hope we never have to put that promise to the test, but we do mean it sincerely. The car would get very crowded.
We’ve all seen the Pet of the Week on the evening news. The news organization works with a local shelter to feature a dog or cat each week. Seeing the living, breathing animal right there on your screen makes them real, as opposed to an assortment of pictures of shelter animals. It becomes harder to ignore their plight. Often, they are older pets.
Pets are relinquished for as many reasons as there are people. The owner dies, loses a job or home, someone in the family suddenly has allergies, etc. The point is this – there are many pets waiting for a new family to love. Many are well trained and already acclimated to our busy lives. They just need a new beginning. (more…)
