It’s a beautiful thing to belong to home with the love of pets in them. Both dogs and cats provide companionship and comfort that only pets can provide. It’s even nicer when the two species can live together in peace.
Having a dog and cat in your house presents some obstacles like keeping their food seperate, sharing space on couch or who gets cuddles first, among other issues.
The bond shared between man and dog is incredible. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of being a canine owner then you know just what we mean.
Some of us love snuggling up with our four legged friends at night. They can be great for keeping you warm, feeling secure, or they can crowd the bed and leave little room for a comfortable night’s rest.
Anyone who has been lucky enough to care for an animal knows how special having a pet can be in life. But for cat owners, keeping these beloved animals close while outside of the home can be difficult. Unlike a dog, that can be conditioned to stay close to his owner with voice commands or use a leash, cats have a more wild and free personality so taking them outdoors safely takes some getting used to.
For years we’ve seen depictions pitting cats against dogs. The endless comics and cartoons and even arguments in adult life have focused on why one animal is better than other. But the reality is that these animals, like any living being, can live together in harmony if they are just given a chance to get to know one another.
If you’ve been thinking about getting a cat, or a dog, don’t let the worry of old tales that these two can’t cooperate stop you. In fact, there are some easy tips to help you introduce cats and dogs to one another to allow them to lead great, comfortable lives in each other’s company. Continue reading “Will Your Cat Get Along with a New Dog? How to Help Introduce Dogs & Cats”
Moving into a new home is a pretty exciting time for new couples and for families. Besides the proud and fulfilled feelings that come with owning a home, there are some things to consider along with the big life event.
Getting the U-hauls loaded and unloaded isn’t the only challenge you’re going to run into as you make this transition. If you have kids in school they may need to readjust to new settings, friends and schools and if you have pets, you’ll have to plan to help them accept and feel comfortable with their new stomping grounds.
Crate or no crate? This is a big question in the doggy community. You’ll typically get a mixed set of responses from people and professionals about their opinions on crating dogs and puppies.
Many people turn to crates to help in the potty training and chewing phases. The idea is that if the dogs are in the cage while you are not able to be around them, they can’t use the bathroom in the house or chew up your belongings.
There is also the reality is that dogs can still eliminate in the cage if they are left there for longer than they can hold it, and they can also be trained to use the outdoors to potty without having to be crated with just a little extra care and attention.
Summer gardening is a favorite pastime for so many. There’s nothing that compares to the relaxation and satisfaction of spending time outdoors on a mild summer day planting beds of flowers and veggies that will grow over the next few months.
Most gardeners are also aware of pesky insects that can wreak havoc on their crop and are usually prepared with treatments and preventives to allow their plants to grow fruitfully.
However, one sneaky visitor that you may not suspect may be behind your dug up flower beds: your dog.
By Kgbo (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia CommonsOf all the rooms in the house, it’s only natural your dog or dogs should have a particular affinity for the kitchen. Dogs are scent and appetite-driven animals, and the kitchen is where the best smells and tastiest foods are found. Not to mention, the kitchen is often a very social place for many households, a place where family members gather to talk, relax, and yes—eat.
Unfortunately, kitchens and dogs don’t always mix. Smaller dogs, hoping to catch crumbs or scraps of food, can crowd your feet while you cook, risking a potentially severe accident. (The last thing you want when holding a sharp knife or a pot of boiling water is to trip over your dog.)
When there’s less supervision, many larger dogs are also prone to rummaging through the kitchen trash for food scraps, snatching up humans’ food before they can eat it, or even getting into pantries or refrigerators. This makes a mess of course, but it can also lead to injury or illness on the dog’s part.
If you’re a dog owner with your own property, it’s most likely that your pup loves to run around the yard for exercise and play. But no matter how well-behaved your dog is, it’s simply irresponsible to let your dog loose without any kind of barrier or restraint to keep them in check.
What’s the best way to keep your dog on your property? Run cables can get tangled and break easily. Yard kennels can be jumped over or dug under by many dogs. Traditional perimeter fencing is often prohibitively expensive.
What about electric dog fences? Do they work?
Electric dog fences, sometimes called invisible or underground fences, are increasingly common but frequently misunderstood.
The first thing to understand about electric dog fences is that yes, they do work.
If you’re a dog-owner, you know you’d never trade it for the world. But as much as you love your dog, there’s no denying that he or she can make things a little more difficult at times.
Case in point: looking for a place to go out to eat. If you’re out and about with your dog, finding somewhere to stop for a bite can be a headache.
With that in mind, we’ve compiled a short list of some of the best dog-friendly restaurants in the Western Massachusetts area.
