November 29, 2017
Holiday time is here! This is the time of year where my humans buy gifts for loved ones and friends. Most people are feeling more generous than ever . . . I’m looking at you, Grinch. If you have some extra money, consider adopting a pet for the holidays. Operation Kindness in Dallas is hosting an adoption event at the Galleria in Dallas. You are already planning on shopping and spending money. Instead of those extra clothes, what about a new furry friend?
I let my humans take me home last holiday season and I’ve made their lives better every day since then! Here are some things to think about before adopting:
- can you afford a pet? I don’t mean the adoption fee (although that is important)
- think about food, care, vet visits, beds, toys, etc.
- do you have time to commit to a pet?
- some pets take more time than others. I like walks, pets, and cuddles, so you might say I am high maintenance. Set aside time to take care of your family . . .ALL of your family
- are you committed to the long run
- look up lifespans of pets and make sure you are committed to that breed or species for the long run . . .some of us can live for decades!
You’re spending money this season to improve your lives and other people’s lives. Consider saving a furry friend.
-Sally
November 14, 2017
In honor of Armistice Day, here is my short post on animal heroes of World War 1.
Allied and Central Powers used dogs as messengers during World War I. Dogs could move around easily in trenches and on battlefields, making them ideal ground messengers.
Dogs also served in several other areas—for example, their keen sense of smell made them perfectly suited to finding wounded soldiers on the battlefield and in the trenches. This sense of smell, combined with dogs’ excellent hearing, allowed them to serve as effective guards and scouts, particularly when it came to detecting nearby enemies. Man’s best friend also filled the simple but essential need for comfort and companionship during times of great distress. These dogs were most likely adopted by units on an individual basis as mascots, as in the case of Stubby(pictured above).
Stubby was a Staffordshire terrier mix puppy adopted by Private J. Robert Conroy while he was training for combat. Stubby became the mascot of the 102nd Infantry, 26th Yankee Division. Private Conroy smuggled Stubby onto the SS Minnesota when the division shipped out to France, and Stubby made friends with the commanding officer when he gave the officer his dog salute.
When the division reached France, Stubby was allowed to accompany it to front lines and serve as their mascot.
His sense of smell allowed him to detect enemy gas before the men, and he would run through the camp barking sound the alarm.
One day, Stubby caught a German spy attempting to make a map of Allied trenches, and he attacked the man until American soldiers arrived. For this act, Stubby was unofficially promoted to sergeant.
By the end of the war, Stubby had served in 17 battles. At the Battle of Seicheprey on April 20, 1918, shrapnel from a shell seriously injured Stubby, and he was rushed to a field hospital for treatment and then to a Red Cross hospital for recovery. During his recovery, Stubby went around the hospital and visited wounded soldiers.
If I were a soldier, I would be a great food taster. Diet day 2 went poorly. Happy Belated Armistice Day . . . go thank a soldier . . . or even better, a puppy soldier.
-Sally
November 13, 2017
Guys and Gals . . . I have some bad news. I am officially on a diet. Yep, I said it. The D word. In honor of my new-found thinness, here are four tips to dominate your dieting during the Holiday season:
- Exercise Exercise Exercise. I like walks around the neighborhood and running up and down the stairs, but do whatever makes you happy. Walk in the morning and the evening. If you have access to a gym within five miles (otherwise you won’t go) go to the gym and try out a new workout routine from bodybuilding.com. Don’t be afraid of the name, the workouts are for pups of all sizes.
- Change up your diet to account for holiday snacks. Try the 80/20 rule for healthy eating. Make 80 percent of your meals light and healthy and 20 percent full of holiday cheer. Try light soups or salads with protein and sans the dressing. I once tried lettuce, but it wasn’t as good as I thought it would be. Maybe stick with chicken.
- Get active around the house. Rake your own leaves. Decorate your house for the holidays. Mow the lawn for the last time. Dress for a temperature 20 degrees warmer than the temperature outside. Remember, pups need to wear clothes just like a child would when it’s cold.
- Buy an exercise bike for when you watch Netflix. I call it Netflix and pedal. Anytime, I feel the need to watch TV, I make myself ride the bike during the entire show. You can even get a pedal bike for under your desk at work. It may sound strange, but you’ll thank me when you can eat an extra helping of turkey. Make sure you share the wealth.
-Sally