Archive for category: Fun

No one can deny that seeing the little wet nose and wiggly tail of a puppy is the cutest thing in the world. That’s why puppies tend to get adopted from shelters quickly. Unfortunately, the stats aren’t the same for senior dogs.

It could be a societal thing. As a whole, we tend to give seniors and elders less credit and support than younger groups. Elder abuse impacts about 1 in 10 adults over the age of 60. Older people are easier to ignore. If you think that doesn’t translate into older dogs too, you’re wrong. Senior dogs make up the majority of dogs in shelters across the country.

People have plenty of reasons for not adopting an older pet. They might be worried about getting too attached only to have the dog pass away after a short time. Or, they might be worried about the extra expense of vet bills, which can easily be remedied with pet insurance.

Owning a senior dog isn’t as expensive as people think, anyway. Shelters are usually looking to find them good homes, so you might be able to adopt them at a lower price, instead of getting an expensive puppy or going through a breeder.

So, if you’re ready to become a new pet owner and you’re in the market to adopt a dog, why not consider one with a little gray on their fur? Let’s look at some of the top reasons why senior dogs are the best.

1. They’re Calmer

The image of a new puppy running around the house with the kids is precious, but all of that energy can also do more harm than good. A younger dog typically needs a lot of exercise and attention, or they could start chewing on furniture, clothes, and your designer handbag.

Younger dogs can also be more aggressive and territorial. Even as they grow out of puppyhood, they can have energy abound. That can be let out through anything from barking at the mail carrier or chasing strangers down the street, to tearing up your favorite pair of shoes.

Senior dogs are typically much calmer and docile. They tend to prefer rest over chasing. While some seniors do have plenty of energy left, it is typically absent of the aggression and hyperactivity that younger dogs often seem to have. Senior dogs are perfect for families with young children because they’re usually calmer. But they’re also wonderful for individuals who are simply looking for a loyal companion to come home to.

2. They Aren’t “Problem Dogs”

One of the reasons people stay away from adopting senior dogs is because they assume they’re in a shelter because they have behavioral issues. More often than not, that isn’t the case.

Dogs end up in shelters for a variety of reasons. One of the most common reasons why senior dogs tend to end up there is because their owners are either no longer to take care of them, or they have passed away.

In fact, many senior dogs have had a life of love, and they’re ready to give more of it! Don’t assume there are major issues with any older dog in a shelter. Ask about their history, so you can see how well they would fit in with your family.

3. They Are Often Already Trained

Any puppy owner will tell you one of the most frustrating parts of owning a new dog is training it. Puppies have to be housebroken and learn the “basic” commands in order to follow orders and stay safe.

Many senior dogs already know basic commands like “sit” and “stay,” and most are fully housebroken, so you don’t have to worry about messes in your home.

The old saying that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks simply isn’t true. In fact, older dogs have greater attention spans than puppies and young dogs, so they’re more likely to stick with you as you try to teach them something new, and stick with it until they get it right. If you don’t have the time or patience to fully train a young dog, you could have a much easier experience doing it with a dog who already has the basics down.

4. They Are Perfect Companions

Again, a lot of time and energy goes into training and acclimating a puppy or younger dog into a home. Older dogs are often perfect companions for anything because they’re already established, one way or another. Whether you want a workout partner, a snuggle buddy at night, or just the comfort of their company after a long day, a senior dog is ready to be whatever you need them to be.

You also know what you’re getting with a senior dog. They already have a personality. They’re not going to grow or change anymore like a puppy would. If they have any serious health issues, they would probably have already manifested, etc.

Simply put, there usually aren’t any real “surprises” with a senior dog, which is reassuring to people who want a dog but don’t want a lot of stress to come with it.

5. You’re Saving a Life

Senior dogs need just as much love and attention as younger ones. Unfortunately, they often get overlooked without good reason.

When you choose to adopt a senior dog, you could be saving their life. Shelters throughout the country are often full of pets needing good homes. Because puppies and younger animals tend to get adopted quickly, it’s normal for a shelter to accept more of them, while pushing out dogs that are older.

If older dogs aren’t adopted within a certain amount of time, they can be euthanized. By adopting an older dog instead of a younger one, you could be saving it from a grim fate.

6. They’re Built-in “Babysitters”

No, we’re not suggesting you leave your young child home alone with your senior dog. What we do mean is that older dogs can be great teachers and “watchers” of younger dogs. So, if you really do want to adopt a puppy or younger dog, you might consider either getting a senior dog at the same time, or getting a senior dog first and a younger dog later.

Older dogs tend to have natural instincts for calming down younger ones. They can show them the ropes when it comes to how things work around the house. Plus, they’ll be an instant companion for any younger dog, and can help puppies to burn off some of that extra energy!

7. They Are Grateful

Again, most senior dogs don’t end up in shelters because they’re bad, sick, or have behavioral issues. Many of them come from a life of love. Many of them either had families or a doting owner before. So, for them to be thrust into a cage or kennel in a new place isn’t easy.

That could be one of the reasons why senior dogs seem so grateful when they’re adopted and taken into a home. A young dog or puppy will bond with you, but they’re usually far more interested in exploring and playing. An older dog is more likely to become attached to you quickly, and won’t want to leave your side.

8. Perfect for a Variety of Pet Owners

Because senior dogs are typically less-maintenance, calmer, and already trained, they can be perfect for someone who hasn’t owned a dog before. It’s still important to do your research on what kind of senior dog food to buy, how much exercise they need, what medical care might be necessary, but in general, a senior dog can be a much easier introduction into pet ownership than a puppy.

Senior dogs are also great for people who live in smaller spaces, because they won’t need a lot of room to run around and blow off steam. If you live in an apartment that allows pets, you should absolutely consider a senior dog. Not only are they less likely to make a bunch of noise and disturb others, but there’s less of a risk of your belongings getting destroyed because they’re “bored” while you’re away.

Finally, if you have a disability of some kind, or can’t be fully mobile, a senior dog can still be a great companion. Because they typically don’t have as much energy as younger dogs, you won’t have to exercise them nearly as much. Walks are still important, but older dogs tend to go at a slower, more leisurely pace, which might be more comfortable for you, depending on your condition.

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Conclusion

As you can see, there are many different reasons why senior dogs are the best, and this is just the start!

We all know it’s tempting to look into the sweet faces of a young dog or puppy and melt, but if you’re looking for a furry friend to bring home, don’t overlook the senior dogs at your local shelters. Learn what you can about them, and take pride in knowing you can give them a forever home full of love and care for the rest of their lives.

About 85 million families in the United States own at least one pet. For many people, their pets are part of the family. For some, a pet might be their only family. They like to take their furry friends just about everywhere. So, it’s no surprise that more businesses throughout the country are opting to be more pet-friendly for their employees and their four-legged friends.

Therapy dogs, service dogs, and emotional support dogs are becoming more common and being used more frequently. People use these animals for everything from illnesses like diabetes to problems with mobility, or even mental health issues like anxiety. Obviously, service dogs are exceptions to a pet policy you might already have in place. But what about employees who just want to bring their dog into work for the day? Would it benefit your business? Would it hurt it?

This article will focus on some of the pros and cons of encouraging a more pet-friendly atmosphere at work, and what you can do to make your place of business more dog-friendly for your employees. By the end, hopefully, you’ll be able to decide if opening up the potion of bringing pets to work is what’s best for your business and your employees.

Pets and Productivity

There are many benefits to allowing dogs in your office. While a big concern for some employers is likely how distracted their employees will be, you might be surprised to learn that, in most cases, it’s just the opposite. Pets can actually help your employees to get more work on a regular basis.

Pets in the workplace can boost morale. Happier employees are more fully engaged in their work, and you can actually see a boost in productivity. Pets can also help to reduce stress in the workplace. Employees who are overly-stressed at work can burn out quickly. About 52% of employees call into work sick more frequently because of stress. Some even change jobs. Finding ways to reduce stress factors within your place of business can increase employee longevity and retention.

Communication and teamwork are extremely important to the success of any business. It just so happens that having pups in the workplace can improve communication between employees, too. Pets tend to make people comfortable with opening up more, and they provide an instantly-shared interest between people that can open the door to more effective communication.

Last, but certainly not least, pets promote general health and wellness in the workplace. Dogs have to be “let out” and exercised several times a day, not only to avoid behavioral issues, but to take them to the bathroom, let them stretch their legs, and socialize. When a dog has to go outside to take a walk, their owner does, too.

Even a few 10-minute stretches or quick walks during the workday can make a big difference for employees who are otherwise behind their desks all day. It promotes cardiovascular health, respiratory health, and can offer a boost of energy. If health and wellness are priorities in your business, allowing pets in the building is a great way to encourage people to get up and moving.

What Are the Dangers of Having Pets in the Office?

Of course, it’s not fair to talk about all of the great things that pets in the office give to your business without going over some of the potential risks and considerations you should make.

One of the biggest potential problems is allergies. About three in 10 people who suffer from allergies are allergic to either dogs or cats. So, it’s fairly safe to say that someone in your workplace will have a pet allergy. While some are more severe than others, the last thing you want to do is make an employee miserable by having dogs around.

If one or more of your employees have life-threatening allergies, it may not be safe to have pets in the office. But there are some ways you can work around it. You can limit pets to a certain building, room, or area of your business. Alternatively, you can allow some of your employees who might have allergies to work remotely. Offering something like that can also help to boost their productivity while saving your company time and money due to reduced maintenance and overhead costs.

Dog bites can also be a problem. While many dogs are docile, calm, and friendly, it’s not unheard of for a dog to occasionally bite someone. In fact, there are about 4.7 million dog bites that occur in the United States each year.

When dogs are around new people in a new environment, that risk becomes even greater. In January of 2018 alone, over 4.2 million workers in the U.S. missed work because of some kind of illness or injury. Running the risk of dog bites on the job could cause you to lose valuable employees.

Finally, even though dogs can help to boost productivity and increase motivation, they can also sometimes be a distraction. If you have employees who aren’t happy with their work or the environment and they start to bring a dog with them, it may just distract them even more from work at hand. It’s a good idea to get a general feel for your workplace and how many people might be interested in having pets with them. The last thing you want is for your pet-friendly place of business to turn into a less-than-professional funhouse.

Big Businesses Who Get it Right

Did you know that dog-friendly businesses tend to attract more prospective employees? Some of the biggest, most successful businesses in the world allow their employees to bring pets into work, including Google, Amazon, and the BBC. Google even has company dogs that can roam around their offices.

The idea is that these dogs help to boost morale, lower stress, and increase productivity among employees. In a high-stress job, that can make a big difference in how employees feel and how long they stay in their position.

What these major companies are doing by being more pet-friendly is opening their doors to a whole new world of prospective employees. These are businesses that understand the kinds of benefits their employees really want. While a 401k plan is nice (and should be included in a benefits package), most people are looking at what unique things a particular job can offer them, including remote options, spa days, or the ability to bring their dog to work.

Google, for example, is always on the lookout for new talent to bring onto their team. Imagine how much easier it would be to find the perfect candidate for the job if you could offer them the best benefits imaginable. Google is known for offering employee benefits that people want, and they are able to draw in a lot of talent because of it. When you think about the future of your company and what you want it to look like, considering some of those “newer” benefits is important to help you achieve success.

How to Turn Your Workplace Into a Pet-Friendly Environment

If you’ve weighed out the pros and cons and you’re ready to make your business into a pet-friendly place for your employees, you have to know the best way to do it. That means having some ground rules in place.

Every company’s pet policy is different, but some things to keep in mind when creating your own set of rules include:

• Making sure any pets that come on the premises are up to date with their shots/vaccines.
• Enforcing “clean up” rules if a pet has an accident anywhere in the building.
• Asking that dogs be properly trained before allowing them onto the property.
• Making sure dogs aren’t allowed to walk around without supervision or without a leash.

It’s also okay to allow employees who are bringing dogs to “pet-proof” their work area. This includes doing things like cleaning up cables from the floor that could pass as new things to chew on and keeps your desk as clean and organized as possible.

What can you do to make your business more friendly toward pets? For starters, you can have dog toys and treats in certain designated areas. Every dog likes playing with a new toy! It can help to keep them occupied for several hours while their owner works. You should also encourage your employees to bring a toy or familiar item from home to make their dog feel comfortable.

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Conclusion

Being a pet-friendly employer has a lot of perks — both for you, and your company. It takes a little bit of planning and the proper execution, but allowing pets into your business could be the boost your business needs. When your employees are happy and feel content, they’re likely to do better work for you. Not only that, but they’re more likely to stay with your company, and you’ll have a better chance of bringing in new talent, too. As a result, your business can continue to grow. You can proudly say you’ve literally “gone to the dogs!”

As Halloween nears, most people begin looking for costumes for themselves and their loved ones. But, they forget about their pets. After all, Halloween is usually about dressing up, and your pet can only be part of the excitement if they are in optimal health. You can only achieve this by giving them wholesale CBD pet treats, such as pet chews.

These chews are laden with vitamins, macronutrients, and omega-3s to ensure your pet stays healthy. Besides, dressing a healthy pet for Halloween is more exciting. Luckily, there are various cute dog costumes in most pet shops, and you can always get the best outfit for your animal companion.

Below are the best dog costumes ever:

1. Peacock dog costume

The peacock dog costume is one of the best outfits for small dogs. It’s made of polyester and comes in various colors perfect for that peacock look. It features a hood that has printed eyes and a massive plumage on its rump.  You can fasten the headpiece and the jumpsuit with loops or hooks, and this makes it easier to put on.

2. Halloween hats

Though there are various funny Halloween dog costumes in the market, a simple outfit can be a hat and nothing more! For an excellent Halloween dress for the pet, get an old hat, combined with a Velcro strip, two strings, or a belt fasten it up.

However, get your pet used to the cap before the actual show time. If you allow your pet to practice for some time, it will be hard for them to attempt to get it off. You can accessorize the hat with things like sunglasses or a headband. This way, your lovely pet will surely impress neighbors and everyone around you.

3. Thomsen dog lion mane

This smooth fleecy costume is the best what to dress your pet for some fun on any occasion. It smoothly glides onto your dog’s body, making them look like a king or queen. It has enough room to accommodate your pet’s ears, and you can tighten it depending on the size of the dog. More so, there’s a tail tuft to enable your dog to wag its tail as much as they want. The costume is woolen, making it wash or spot-clean.

4. Superman cape with a chest piece

The superman cape is a cute budget-friendly costume ideal for Halloween. It’s designed by Rubies, which is a renowned brand for both pets and human costumes. It’s made of a soft fabric and is adjustable to fit any dog size.

The outfit is effortless to use; it has a drawstring to fasten it when necessary. The cape is somehow long, but you can cut it a bit using a pair of scissors, and this may be necessary in case your pet has short legs. It also makes a fantastic outfit for dressing up your dog to accompany your kids for Halloween.

5. The large dog dinosaur gear

A dog dinosaur comes only in large sizes and is ideal for bigger dogs. It will make your pet look charming, just like a cuddy green dinosaur. It’s an excellent choice for dogs living in chilly climates or ones going out in winter.

Such a fantastic outfit will keep your pooch warm even in cold mornings. Also, it’s easy to seal using snaps, and this makes it unlikely to come off no matter the type of activity. However, you need to be sure of your pet’s neck size to acquire the right size.

Take away

Halloween costumes for dogs and cats are customarily designed to say in place, fit flawlessly, and let the pet to move freely. However, when you dress the pet for the first time, he or she may be uncomfortable. After some time, thy pet will realize that the dress doesn’t limit their movement, and they will begin acting normally.

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Heman Thuranira is a competent SEO content writer who specializes in offering blog writing, ghostwriting, and copywriting services. He takes pride in providing SEO optimized, engaging, and high-quality digital marketing content to both B2B and B2C businesses. His content will increase your business, blog, or website social media attention and search engine ranking. For any SEO content writing service assistance; he is your go-to Guru.

The horse is one of the noblest creatures to have been domesticated by man. Used for farm work, transportation, and even for war, the horse is an animal that has forever changed the course of our history.

The horse allowed the Knights of the Templar to ride across Europe, it was a horse that carried Paul Revere on his famous ride, screaming, “The British are coming!” Horses carried settlers to the western United States, pulling conestoga wagons filled with supplies.

Wild horses have roamed the entire world for centuries. The indigenous people of many different countries, including the United States, began domesticating horses. They raided and stole ponies from other tribes, and some even bred their own lines of horses, such as the Appaloosas that were prized by the Nez Perce Indians and their famous Chief Joseph.

Horses have been tied to mankind throughout history, and it is highly likely that without them, we’d be nowhere near as advanced as we are. Let’s take a look at some interesting and fun facts about horses which you may not know.

Facts:

1. Their eyes are very unique. Horses actually have the largest eyes of any mammal on land. These are also some of the sweetest and gentlest eyes that you may ever come to gaze into.
   
2. A horse can give birth and be running within a few hours. Few animals can give birth and run later. Women who’ve gone through labor and 9 months of pregnancy will be rather astounded and amazed that a horse, with a gestation period of 11-12 months, can give birth and then go for a run within a couple of hours. This is likely nature’s way of preservation. Horses are herd animals and often preyed upon by large cats and wolves. They need to be able to move when necessary. This is the same reason that foals are able to get up and walk within minutes of being born, to begin nursing.
   
3. When horses are depicted as laughing, they are actually using their nose and being very serious about it, trying to determine if a smell is good or bad. This act is called flehmen
   
4. Everyone thinks horses are colorblind. They’re not! They don’t see in the same spectrum that humans do. Purples and violets are hard for them to see, but yellows and greens are easy.
   
5. This one will amaze you. The brain of the horse takes up less space in their head than their teeth do. They have more volume in teeth than they do brains. This doesn’t make them stupid by any means though. They’re very intelligent, but they also spend a great deal of their time chewing.
   
6. Horses can sleep standing up. They also sometimes sleep lying down. Typically a horse will only sleep on the ground when they feel very secure. Sleeping while standing up is thought to be a trait developed as a form of safety and being able to flee on a moment’s notice.
   
7. A horse was once clocked at 55 mph in a sprint. Most can sustain a galloping speed of approximately 27 mph. Horse racing has been a past-time since the days of the early Roman empire and possibly before that. It is still a huge sport around the world today. Much money is spent, and lost, in betting on horse races.
   
8. According to the Manchester Museum, a horse named Old Billy once lived to the age of 62.
9. The only authentically wild horse that remains in the world today is the Przewalski’s horse, found in Mongolia. While there are wild mustangs and other horses in the world, they are feral but not truly considered wild.
   
10. Horses rely on vocal communication, more than many other animals do. Neighing or nickering are used in greeting and when leaving, for example. A stallion has his own version of a roar, particularly when seeking a mate. Snorts are used to alert each other within the herd of possible threats to the herd’s safety.
    
11. The American Horse Council says there are approximately 58 million horses in the world right now.
    
12. A horse brain weighs approximately half what a human brain weighs.
    
13. Horses that get bloat are in serious trouble because horses are incapable of throwing up. They can’t vomit. Equine staff is trained to run a tube down the throat of a horse and siphon the contents of his stomach if he displays symptoms of bloat and upset stomach.
    
14. The world’s first cloned horse was a Halfinger mare in 2003.
    
15. Horses don’t like anything sour or bitter. They love sweet flavors.
    
16. Because their eyes are located on the sides of their heads, a horse can see in 360-degrees all at the same time. The direction their ears are pointing is typically where they are looking at any given moment, with one eye.
    
17. Never complain about a drooling dog again. The average horse produces roughly ten gallons of saliva per day. Can you imagine ten gallons of spit?
    
18. Saying that they have a big heart is really an understatement. The average horse’s heart weighs between 9 and 10 pounds.
    
19. Horse hooves might be a little complicated. On the underside of their hoof is a triangle-shaped area which is called the frog. It basically is a shock absorber, and it is also thought to help pump blood back up the legs.
    
20. On average, horses drink 25 gallons of water per day. They can drink more when the heat is excessive, or they’ve been running.
    
21. All of today’s horses are thought to have descended from a small prehistoric horse, called an eohippus. This creature had toes instead of hooves and barely resembles a horse that we would recognize today.
    
22. The ear of the horse can be rotated 180-degrees, thanks to the 16 muscles in each ear that allow it to do so.
    
23. If you see a horse with a red ribbon attached to his tail, don’t walk behind it! This is the horse world’s way of letting each other know that this horse is a kicker.
24. Horses do not like to be kept alone. They prefer companionship because they are herd animals. They will also mourn the death of a friend, and they do make friends within their herds.
25. Zebra/horse crosses exist. They are called a Zorse, and they are always infertile.
    
26. Horses that have pink skin shouldn’t be left out in the sun because they can get sunburns. Yes, you can apply sunblock on them to help.
    
27. You will never hear the term ‘mouth-breather’ in the horse world because they can’t. All horses must breathe through their nostrils. When they run, their nostrils flare and open wide to accommodate the passage of more air.
    
28. Captain Alberto Larraguibel set a world record in 1949, riding a horse named Huaso. Together, they cleared the highest jump on the record made by a horse and rider. 8 feet and ¼ inches still stand today.

As you can see, horses have accomplished much, and they are a unique animal. They’ve played an important role in our history. Take care of them well, feed them well, when they are recovering from hard work or an injury, feed them InnovetPet hemp pellet to aid in their recovery and ensure that they are well.

Horses are typically ready to work and enjoy working hard. They can bond very closely with humans, forming relationships with their riders and caretakers. They will give every ounce of strength that they have when you ask them for it.

There is an amazing video on YouTube of an Amish team of horses that pulls a tractor-trailer from a snowy ditch that is incredible. The team pulled together and successfully pulled this massive truck and the loaded trailer from a ditch and back to the road.

Owning horses is an expensive undertaking but one well worth it. Horses are graceful, elegant, and intelligent. Children are often brought to ride horses when they have learning disabilities or physical challenges. The horses help to calm the children and seem to bring them out of their shells. It’s an amazing program.

Taking care of horses is a great chore for young children to have, to learn responsibility, and many will relish the task. Grooming horses, feeding them, and simply being around them is a way to lower blood pressure and stress levels. Horses are often very good with children, but they should always be very well supervised. Horses are massive, weighing, on average, 1200 pounds.

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We hope that you’ve enjoyed learning some interesting facts about horses today and that you’ll take a moment to appreciate horses a little more today than you did yesterday. With a relationship that has benefited mankind since the days of our earliest civilizations, without the horse.

Man would never have traveled as far as he did, established cities in faraway lands or even planted crops and brought harvests to market. In fact, it’s almost impossible to imagine a world without there ever having been horses. Truly, the entire course of our history would be changed, and it is likely that we may not have been as successful in our survival, had the horse not been there to help us each step of the way.