“Children learn to smile from their parents.” No matter what your favorite dog breed or breeds may be, it is always a joy to celebrate family, be it with relatives by blood or kin by choice. Please visit this post for more photos and stories about attending Huxley's collie family reunion last weekend. Plus, we want to share with you a website we were recently introduced to, The Magic Zoo. The Magic Zoo is an amazing place for pet lovers to find gorgeous handmade jewelry and trinkets to honor their beloved family pet, any size, shape, type and breed. |
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This post is sponsored by Hill’s and the Pet Blogger Network. We are being compensated for helping spread the word about Hill's® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution, but Cascadian Nomads only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. is not responsible for the content of this article. Typist: Bethany Dog weight loss is a very difficult thing to cope with. I have lived with overweight dogs and I know that it can be near impossible to succeed with diets for dogs. When Jason and I chose to spend part of our life with a miniature dachshund we knew that keeping his weight low would be important. However, we had no idea how difficult it would be. Not only is Wilhelm a miniature vacuum cleaner but when it comes to a small dogs weight, every ounce makes a difference in their health. With due diligence, Jason and I have been able to keep Wilhelm hovering around his ideal weight (so far.) But even with the best of intentions, everyone sharing their life with a dog may find themselves needing to learn about weight loss for dogs. I was recently very moved by Chuy Chihuahua's weight loss success story. Little Chuy has a lot in common with tiny Wilhelm and learning about this bouncy, zest for life Chihuahua's success with Hill’s Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution, I was quite charmed. Successful Dog Diets Begin At The Vet When Aimee of Irresistible Pets realized during a visit to the vet that Chuy was overweight, the vet recommended Hill's® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution. The vet suggested Chuy lose 3.5 lbs and counseled Aimee on correct portions and feeding habits. Conversations like this are never easy to have with your vet, but it can make a huge difference, just like it has for Chuy. Food Is Love Although, like Wilhelm, Aimee declares Chuy "never grew out of the puppy stage," now that Chuy has successfully lost just over two and a half pounds, the Chihuahua has regained some energy. And best of all, Chuy didn't have to be deprived of food or treats. In fact, Chuy enjoys and regularly east his Hill's® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution more than he did other foods. Plus when Aimee and her husband get desert, Chuy gets a Hill's® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution treat. Caring for our pets with good food doesn't have to mean access food or access weight! Obviously every human who chooses to share their life with dogs wants what is best for their canine friends. Ideally we can keep our dogs slim and fit. But sometimes we must face the fact that our beloved dog is overweight. The sooner we accept that a dog needs a diet, talk to the vet and take action, the sooner we humans can regain our healthy canine friend. Now that Chuy has slimmed down, Aimee knows that losing even just these few pounds "will enhance Chuy's quality and longevity of his life." Wanting a long, happy life is something else I believe Wilhelm and Chuy have in common. And a desire for excellent health and an above average lifespan for our dogs is a desire that I know Aimee, myself and all dog people share. Thank you Aimee and Chuy Chihuahua from Irresistible Pets for sharing their inspirational story! Share this post:
This was our first hike in the desert and I was nervous, to say the least. I had read everything I could about avoiding desert dangers and what to do should we encounter any. I carried what felt like gallons of water. Fortunately, there was nothing but sapphire blue sky, stunning red rocks, blossoming cacti and a rainbow of wildflowers. The Bow Tie and Corona Arch trail was just the fit dog time we needed. We hiked on gravel, sand and slabs of rock. There were rocks large enough to provide shade and there were places with natural stairs to climb. The dogs absolutely loved it! Before we caught sight of the arches, we passed a group of fellow Cascadians. Their party stopped to fawn over the dogs and in the course of the conversation they told me that they were surprised I had read that the trail was pet friendly. They informed me that just around the corner I'd be able to see Bow Tie and Corona Arches but the dogs would not be able to get to the arches because of the ladder. I continued on but the other hikers were right. The dogs and I had the hike cut short by an almost vertical grade with chiseled human foot holes and a cable railing up the rock to the level of the arches. I was momentarily disappointed but only for a split second because the dogs didn't care. We were having a wonderful time and the view... ah, the view! Such fabulous fit dog fun! Plus the very next day, we finally got up close and personal with a pet friendly arch (Leo too) making our time in Moab perfect in every way. Share this post: Typist: Bethany Pets are only allowed in parking lots, at viewpoints, on roads and in the campground of Arches National Park. Pets are not allowed on any trails. During our recent trip to Moab, Utah, I hadn't planned to visit pet unfriendly Arches National Park. Then I realized that the entrance to the park was very near the trail head of the pet-friendly desert hike I had planned outside of the park. I just couldn't resist a detour into the world famous desert park. I knew I would have to sacrifice seeing a lot of what Arches National Park has to offer by taking the dogs and cockatoo Leo along. But we had a wonderful time!
If you're not willing to forgo seeing everything at Arches National Park and most especially hiking even short trails to interpretive signs, attractions and viewpoints, do not take your pets. Follow the National Park Services advice and board them in pet-friendly Moab. Pets cannot be left in the car, water should be available to them at all times during your visit and paw protection is highly recommended (I use Musher's Secret.) When we followed the road into the parking lot loop to view The Windows Section, I almost didn't stop. It was very crowded and I wasn't sure I could safely walk the dogs along the narrow, mostly shoulder less road and through the over flowing parking lot. As I gazed in awe at the North and South Windows from the van, I briefly felt a little deprived because of being there with the pets. The trails from the parking area lead to several windows and arches that hoards of people were standing in and admiring. The left-out feeling passed quickly into gratitude for traveling with pets; I wanted nothing more than to get away from that mass of people. I did get lucky and got one of the only two parking spots in the entire area. The parking spot also happened to be one I could safely get the dogs and Leo out of the van. Obviously, it was meant to be for us to stop for just a few photos. Our next stop was just minutes from the mob scene at The Windows Section, Garden of Eden. This was my favorite stop. I highly recommend it. We had the entire viewpoint area to ourselves. The 360 degree view was breathtaking and the dogs had space for a safe and pleasant stroll. The road had a wide gravel shoulder and the parking lot had a gravel curb to walk on. It wasn't very hot for the Utah desert but as Cascadians, any temperature over 70 Fahrenheit takes some acclimation. The short walk around Garden of Eden was perfect.
With a willingness to sacrifice, Arches National Park (or any pet unfriendly National Park) can be enjoyed with pets. I do hope to someday go back to Arches without my pets, I will always treasure the memories of seeing such amazing natural wonders with my best friends by my side. Tomorrow we'll share the stunning pet-friendly Moab hike we took outside of Arches National Park after our park tour ended. Share this post: |
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