Balancing Corporate & Homesteading Lifestyles
Beekeeping 101: In New England
Last year, my bees were highly productive ... a bit angry and aggressive, but they produced some awesome honey!
This was my 2nd year of beekeeping ... my 1st year, my bees absconded ... they ALL left the hive. It was VERY disappointing but last year's bees were AWESOME.
I did everything I could to preserve the hive BUT I'm not feeling very confident that they have survived our New England winter.
We just had 30" of snow, then a massive ice storm with temps in the negative. I cleared the entrance so the bees (if any survived) could get out for their needed cleansing flights but have seen no activity. My fingers are crossed and in about a month time will tell ... Right now I only have one hive, my hope is to get a second hive for next year ... I'm down to one little jar of honey left from last year and just LOVE my honey so much more than any of the store bought jars I've bought. (PLUS, my grandson loves honey so much! He was so excited when he got his own big jar of honey for Christmas!)
Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.
Interested in learning beekeeping??!! It's easy and it's fun! Check out this awesome guide to get you started! Or a great resource if you are considering beekeeping.
As a new beekeeper (going on my third year). The first year, I had lots of help, the second year I did it on my own. I must admit, I got a little too confident and was stung a few times too many BUT it hasn't changed my love for my bees or the respect for the awesomeness of these amazing little animals. I even practiced Reiki with my bees.
As humans, we can learn so much from bees ... community and working together to achieve a common goal.
Spring will be here soon and my bees will be back ... fingers crossed that my hive has survived ... if not then I will start again.
Sweet & Spicy Beef Jerky Recipe
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Making your own jerky is easier than you ever imagined! And tastes much better than anything you will buy retail!
I use the Ninja Foodie because it does everything! But there are many options (dehydrator only).
Whether making jerky from your own recipe (below is a great one to start) or with your favorite marinade, nothing beats it. AND if you like it hot, add some ghost pepper or this awesome hot sauce collection for some additional heat!
Ingredients
- 1 lb Beef Top Round (or London Broil)
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ginger (ground)
- 2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
- ¼ teaspoon sesame oil
- ¼ cup water (cold)
Instructions
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Trim the fat from the meat.
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Put in freezer so it partially freezes.
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Mix marinade ingredients in a ziplock bag.
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Remove meat from freezer and slice ¼" strips.
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Add sliced meat to marinade in the ziplock bag and let sit for 24 hours.
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After 24 hours, pat meat dry.
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Put meat in dehydrator (cook according to dehydrator instructions)
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The jerky is finished when it bends and cracks, but does not break in half.
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Store jerky in air tight containers in a cool, dark, and dry place such as a fridge or cabinet. I use a mason jar in the fridge.
Note:
Cut the strips of beef against the grain for an easy chew and with the grain for a more chewy jerky.
Understanding The Fat To Protein Ratio In Dog Food
Which meat was used to make your dog's food?
Did you know that both photos are LEGALLY called “meat” on a pet food label?
It doesn't matter that one is cut from fresh, lean beef and the other is the fatty trimmings sourced from slaughterhouse waste.
So … How can you tell which type of meat was used to make YOUR dog’s food?
One thing to look for is the fat to protein ratio ...
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What Is Fat To Protein Ratio?
The fat to protein ratio can help you detect excessive levels of fatty meat hidden in your dog's food. All the information that you need is found right on the label of your dog food. And best of all, it's easy to calculate yourself.
How to Calculate Fat to Protein Ratio In Your Dog's Food
Look for the “crude fat” and “crude protein” numbers found in the “Guaranteed Analysis” section of your dog food label.
- Divide the amount of fat by the amount of protein
- And multiply that number by 100
And now you have the fat to protein ratio. It's that easy!
What Does The Fat To Protein Ration Tell You?
A general rule is that the higher the fat to protein ration, then the more likely the food contains an excessive amount of fatty ingredients when compared to the amount of protein in that same food.
However, remember: this is not an exact measurement but a relative indicator. It's like touching someone's forehead to determine if he has a fever but you will not be able to determine the exact temp with this method.
This "tool" is not intended to compare dog foods but is a good method to find foods that are outside the norm. A high fat to protein ratio is a good indication that it was made with excessive amounts of fatty waste products and probably best to avoid for your dog.
What Is A ‘Normal’ Fat to Protein Ratio?
The fat to protein ration will generally range from 30% to over 100%. Most dog foods fall below 80% with dry foods falling 70% or lower.
As a rule of thumb, we suggest staying away from any that are over 90% and I personally tend to be very cautious of any over 80%.
This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
One of our favorite brands is The Farmer's Dog! They offer a variety of formulas that are personalized to meet your dog's individual needs. On average their food has a fat-to-protein ratio of about 69%.
Why choose The Farmer's Dog:
- Real Food: Human-grade meat and veggies in simple recipes, made for dogs
- USDA Kitchens: Safety and quality never before available to pets
- Made Fresh: Maintain whole food and nutritional integrity
- Vet Developed: Nutrition that exceeds industry standards for dogs (AAFCO)
If you purchase something after clicking on this link I’ll probably earn a few bucks from it at no additional cost to you.
To learn more about feeding your dog, you will want to read: You Shouldn't Be The Only One Eating Healthy
Taking Back My Health: Day 1
Introduction
I have wanted a Peleton bike for a long time (years). I have an exercise bike and a trainer I used with both my mountain and road bike but I wanted a Peleton. Today was the big day and my bike arrived.
The delivery team was awesome, they were courteous, quick, and thorough. In less than 30 minutes they had my bike set up and fitted to me and explained the basics.
My Story
I used to run (a little) and ride (a little more). I've done a marathon, a few halfs and a variety of other distances. I preferred trail running to the road. I also did a few mountain bike races (VT 50 2x) which I was proud to finish (and not last)... that was all about 10 years ago. Life gets in the way sometimes and although I still rode, I didn't have the time to put in like I did when I was self-employed. Then in Dec 2020 I got Covid. To this day, I'm still having issues and am considered a long hauler. I have not done much of anything for the last year. So as to be expected, I went from out of shape to badly out of shape. Each day passed and I finally decided it was time to do something!
First Ride
I was so excited for my first ride and my bike did not disappoint. I did a timed (15 minute) ride and loved it despite the disappointment in myself. My mind remembers the strength (I never had speed) and endurance of days gone by BUT my body did not want to cooperate. It was painful and I barely made 15 minutes.
The good news is I didn't need to buy new shoes! Peleton sells shoes (you clip in) for about $125 BUT my road bike shoes worked perfectly ... or as perfectly as a pair of my less than favorite shoes (I never particularly liked them.) I will likely swap the pedals with my mountain bike. I LOVE my mountain bike shoes. Anyway, whatever I do, I don't need new shoes!!
Anyway, I took a break and then rode again for another 10 minutes. This time I just did a "plain" ride (nothing on the screen).
I admit, my legs felt like jelly when I got off the bike and I really was disappointed to have gone so far backwards but excited with the opportunity to do something about it.
My Goals
I've gained about 15lbs in the last 15 months. One goal is to lose 20lbs.
A short term goal: do my first live class after I am able to ride for 30 minutes. I am guessing maybe 2 weeks.
A long term goal: I will ride 5 days a week (at minimum).
A short term goal: Complete the February Challenge and hit at least 50 miles for the month.
Some of my old memories to help inspire and motivate me to become the best me that I can be RIGHT now.
Join me on this journey to take back my health, feel good about myself again and become the best version of myself and simply feel better!!
You Shouldn’t Be The Only One Eating Healthy
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Just as healthy eating is important for you, it is also important for your pets.
Human Or Feed Grade?
Did you know that all pet foods fall into two categories: human grade or feed grade.
What Is Human Grade?
The definition of a human grade pet food is:
“Every ingredient and the resulting product are stored, handled, processed, and transported in a manner that is consistent and compliant with regulations for good manufacturing practices (GMPs) for human edible foods as specified in 21 CFR 117.”
All pet foods that do not meet the full definition of human grade are feed grade.
This means that every ingredient is safe for you to eat too (not that want to eat your dog's food.
What Is Feed Grade?
The definition of feed grade pet food is: “Material that has been determined to be safe, functional and suitable for its intended use in animal food, is handled and labeled appropriately, and conforms to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act unless otherwise expressly permitted by the appropriate state or federal agency.”
This means just about anything is allowed into feed grade pet food.
Feed grade pet foods may use 100% human grade ingredients or they may use 100% feed grade ingredients or they may use a combination of both. Unfortunately, there is no way to tell by looking at the label. Considering that each US State and the FDA allows pet foods to use illegal, risky ingredients (diseased and non-slaughtered animals) every pet food consumer should look into their food with these questions in mind …
Are ingredients human edible?
Human edible means human grade. If it isn't human grade, then it's not human edible.
If inedible – What inedible ingredients are used?
Note: Some ingredients classified as ‘inedible’ are perfectly safe for your pet. For example chicken frames are typically a quality "inedible" product. When chicken is processed for human consumption the meat is mechanically separated from the bone. Mechanical separation leaves quite a bit of meat on the bone frame. These poultry frames are sold to pet food. This is a quality inedible ingredient example.
Some inedible ingredients are not quality. This would be DOA (dead on arrival) animals or diseased animals rejected for use in human food. This is not a quality ingredient. Will a pet food manufacturer admit to using these types of material? It is doubtful. But you should ask regardless.
Something to think about: Pet food ingredients whose legal definitions allow them to be sourced from diseased or non-slaughtered animals are poultry by-products, chicken by-products, turkey by-products, poultry by-product meal, chicken by-product meal, turkey by-product meal, meat meal, meat and bone meal, animal digest and animal fat.
And most feed grade pet foods use feed grade supplements. Yes, there are human grade vitamins and minerals and there are feed grade vitamins and minerals. Feed grade supplements would be a lesser quality than human grade, they are not held to the same standards as human grade.
Ask your pet food manufacturer: Are the supplements human grade or feed grade?
All kibble pet foods are feed grade – regardless if they use human grade ingredients or not. Kibble pet foods are manufactured in a pet food facility; to meet the human grade claim a pet food must be manufactured in a human food facility. This is fair of the regulation; pet food facilities are not held to the same quality standards a human food facility is held to. Any kibble pet food could become human grade, as the manufacturing process is similar to the making of human cereal (extruded product). But to date, no pet food kibble manufacturer has acquired that human grade status.
All canned pet foods – to my knowledge – are feed grade. Again, canned pet foods are manufactured in a pet food plant. And again, these plants could all become a human grade plant (if they went to the effort), but to date no one has.
Some moist pet foods – purchased in tubs – are human grade (manufactured in a human food plant), some are not (manufactured in a pet food plant).
Some raw pet foods (dehydrated, freeze dried or frozen) are human grade, some are not.
The Farmer's Dog
You have many options when it comes to providing a healthy diet for your dog. The Farmer's Dog is one and I personally just love the name! Check out this offer and get 50% off your first order.
Why choose The Farmer's Dog:
- Real Food: Human-grade meat and veggies in simple recipes, made for dogs
- USDA Kitchens: Safety and quality never before available to pets
- Made Fresh: Maintain whole food and nutritional integrity
- Vet Developed: Nutrition that exceeds industry standards for dogs (AAFCO)
This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
Why Do Dogs Need Toys?
Why Dogs Need Toys?
Toys are mentally and physically stimulating and help fulfill a dog’s emotional and physical needs. Although dogs today are primarily bred as companion animals, they still need a "job." Without something to occupy their time and fulfill their chewing needs, they may choose inappropriate things, such as your couch, pillows, shoes, or anything they find around the house. This is why it is important to provide them with appropriate outlets.
Dogs, similar to children may get bored with their toys quickly. When this happens, the value of the toy as a mental and physical outlet is lost. Many trainers suggest choosing six to eight toys for each dog ensuring that each is different in texture, size, and shape. The toys should be given out a few at a time, then rotated every few days so you always have something different to play with.
This page contains affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Is Your Dog A Heavy Chewer?
Is your dog a heavy chewer? Mine is! Most toys last my dog about 20 minutes before he has a hole in it and half the stuffing out. Keeping toys in the house has become expensive and a challenge until we discovered the Super Chewers box. And if your dog isn't a super chewer, they have those boxes too!
So not only are these toys tough, durable, and made for heavy chewers BUT the Super Chewer box has a 100% Happy Guarantee: If a toy isn't tough enough, it will be replaced. 100% free of charge. No proof is needed. No time limits. No questions asked.
Super Durable Toys
Each toy is designed by us and tested by our dogs to stand up to the toughest chewers. Made with strong rubber and nylon, these toys were made for chompin’.
Toys Help Your Dog Relax
Chew bones, elk or deer antlers, hooves, and other long-duration chew products promote relaxation and focused chewing. Dogs will lie down with these products (the behavior we like) and be content chewing for long periods of time.
Every Dog Needs A Kong
A Kong is a rubber beehive-shaped toy that can be filled with soft foods like cheese, peanut butter, yogurt, and much more. Your dog has to figure out how to get the food out with his tongue. Fill a Kong with canned dog food, plain white yogurt, pumpkin, sweet potato, or any other soft healthy food and freeze it. They freeze completely in about 45 minutes.
When You Have Something To Do, Give Your Dog Something To Do
If you don’t want to be distracted by your dog while you are on an important call or Zoom meeting? Send your dog to his bed or other quiet place and give him the Kong.
Kongs come in multiple sizes and can be stored in the freezer so they are always available when you want one.
A Few Important Warnings About Dog Toys
Dogs interact with their toys very differently and their interaction can change over time. A plush toy that was safe for a 10-week old puppy might not be a good choice as your dog gets older and is de-stuffing toys and swallowing the squeakers! Always supervise your dog when he is playing with a new toy and monitor the dog’s interaction with the toy regularly to ensure that the toy continues to be a safe choice.
Interactive toys are meant to be used as a team…you and your dog. These toys should only be available to your dog when you are playing together and put away when done.
Be mindful of what you give your dog as a toy. If you give your pet socks, old slippers, or articles of clothing to play with, they will see all socks, shoes, and clothing as their playthings. Dogs cannot distinguish which of your socks and shoes are okay to play with and which are not. It’s best to keep your things separate from their toys to eliminate any possible confusion.
Every Box Comes With:
- 2 TOUGH TOYS: always fluff-free
- 2 FULL-SIZE BAGS OF TREATS: customizable for allergy and diet preferences
- 2 MEATY CHEWS: always natural
Vetster: On-Demand Online Vet Appointments
If you purchase something after clicking on this link I’ll probably earn a few bucks from it at no extra cost to you.
As pet parents, our fur babies' health is always a priority but sometimes determining whether your pet needs to be seen by a vet is not clear. Everything is an emergency when our pets aren't feeling well but does that "emergency" require immediate care? We have all been faced with those situations. Vetster is an option for those times.
In the age of Covid, telemedicine has become more common place. Did you know that this option is also available for your pets?
What is veterinary telemedicine?
Veterinary telemedicine is the provision of veterinary medicine online, whether through video, voice or text chat. While it can’t replace the need to see your veterinarian in-person, it can provide peace of mind from the comfort of your own home. Telemedicine offers an accessible, affordable way to “see” the vet anytime day or night in the most efficient way.
Vetster connects pet owners to thousands of licensed veterinarians ready to provide the best online vet services through video chat appointments 24/7.
Simple, easy-to-use care solution from the comfort of your home
Using Vetster will save you time and money while helping to keep your pets more comfortable at home.
Vetster is like having your own on call online vet. It's not meant to replace regular vet care but great for questions and less serious issues such as:
- Skin issues such as rashes, itchiness and redness
- Gastrointestinal, vomiting and diarrhea
- Behavioural concerns, aggression, litter box issues
- Minor cuts and wounds
- Dietary concerns, weight loss, nutritional advice
- Puppy and kitten wellness and training
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General pet health and wellness concerns
Convenience for when you have a pet health concern
If you are unable or if visiting your local clinic is challenging for you, we're here for all your pet health concerns, big or small.
Here when you need us with 24/7 online veterinary appointments
Vetster has online vets available 24/7, when you need it, which helps you avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency room.
If you purchase something after clicking on this link I’ll probably earn a few bucks from it at no extra cost to you.
5 Simple Ways to Get Your Dog to Pay Attention
Do you find yourself trying hopelessly to get your dog’s attention? Does “in one ear and out the other” sound familiar?
Or does your dog find it easy to listen to you until he sees the dreaded mail carrier?
Whatever the case, it’s important that we owners are able to capture and hold our dog’s attention. Just imagine the consequences if our dog ran onto a busy road and was not able to listen to us calling him back.
Note: This page contains affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!
In this article we cover 5 simple tips you can apply immediately to help your dog become more attentive.
Brain Training
Brain training is a super effective way to increase your dog’s ability to pay attention to you!
Many of the games in the Brain Training for Dogs course are designed to improve your dog’s attentiveness. One of my favorites is The Airplane Game, which you can access for free.
In this simple game your dog will learn the following important skills:
- How to pay attention to you on command.
- How to maintain focus on you despite distractions – unlocking the pathway to super obedience.
- How to use his hidden intelligence to figure out puzzles.
Enter your e-mail to instantly receive your free e-book of The Airplane Game, which you can start playing with your dog right away!
The Smacking Sound
Wouldn’t it be great if there was a noise we could make at any time to get our dog to immediately pay attention to us? Well, fortunately for us there is, and it’s called the “smacking sound”! But before we can harness its power, we need to teach our dog that this particular sound = food.
To do this, with your dog in a quiet room, make a smacking sound as though you were kissing the air, then immediately give him a treat. It doesn’t matter what he’s doing when you give him the treat (so long as he’s not doing anything bad like tearing up the sofa), the idea is simply to show him that whenever he hears the sound, he gets treats. After doing this for a while, you should notice that your dog looks at you for his treat whenever you make the sound. With continued practice, you can start using the smacking sound in everyday life when you want to grab your dog’s attention!
Keep in mind, however, that the smacking sound may be less effective at times when your dog is too worked up. For example, if he has seen something outside that he reacts strongly to, your sound may go unnoticed. One remedy for this is the Look at That game found in the Brain Training for Dogs course. In Look at That, you will work specifically on teaching your dog to pay attention to the smacking sound despite strong distractions.
Note: Don’t like using the smacking sound? No problem! You can replace the smacking sound with any other sound you like, such as a whistle or a pop. Just make sure the sound you choose is loud enough to be heard in busier environments, and that it is a sound you can make yourself.
The Importance of Incentives
How would you feel about the idea of working without getting paid? This is exactly how our dogs may feel when we ask them to perform mundane tasks without rewarding them for their efforts! That is why incentives are so important in dog training.
There are many different types of incentive, but food rewards are the most common. These rewards are given to a dog whenever he successfully performs a certain action. So let’s say we just started teaching our dog to “sit” for the first time. When he sits successfully, we would reward his effort by slipping him a doggy biscuit or piece of kibble. Now, the next time we ask him to sit, he will be eager to do so because he knows that he will get something tasty in return!
Note: Slices of plain cooked chicken are high-value treats. They can be used during particularly challenging training sessions.
In the Brain Training for Dogs program you will learn techniques which allow you to stop giving your dog a treat every time he successfully performs a certain action, and also introduce other forms of reward.
Reward Voluntary Check-Ins
When you are out in the yard with your dog, how often does he pay attention to you? Most likely, not very much, as he’s far too busy exploring the world with his powerful sniffer. Maybe it’s time for a little change…
Make it a habit when you are out in the yard to bring along some high-value treats (e.g. plain cooked chicken slices). Keep these treats handy in a pocket or treat bag. Now every time your dog happens to walk within arm’s reach of you, praise him and extend your hand to offer him a treat. If you do this often enough, positive reinforcement will work its magic and you’ll soon notice your dog checking in with you more and more. This is great news, because it means he is learning that you are worthy of his attention!
Right Place, Right Time
Choosing to begin training sessions at the right place and time can play a big role in whether or not your dog is able to pay attention.
It’s best to avoid training your dog when you first come home from work and he is all eager and excited to greet you, or when he’s all hyped up and bouncing off the walls after mealtime. Instead, wait until your dog is calmer and more capable of focusing, and use these times to your advantage.
You may also want to avoid training a new behavior in an environment where there are lots of distracting sights, sounds, and smells (e.g. the yard), as this makes it harder for your dog to stay focused on you. Instead, try training in a quiet room at first. It’s also a good idea to avoid rooms with windows if your dog is easily distracted by things he sees outside.
Once your dog gets good at performing a new behavior, you can try taking him to a more distracting location for an added challenge. By teaching your dog to perform the behavior despite the added distractions, it will become more reliable.
Happy training! And don't forget to check out the Brain Training Program for more training tips and games that you can do with your dog!
This page contains affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Dog Training: Starting With The Basics
There are many reasons for people to want a calm, obedient and happy dog. For one thing, obedient and trained dogs are happier dogs, less likely to have issues with people or other dogs.
Also, many communities expect dogs living in their neighborhoods be manageable and trained at a minimal level.
This is especially true for many breeds thought to have aggression and behavior problems. Unfortunately some breeds have been stereotyped and are (unfairly) held to a different standard.
And of course, training your dog will also make him a much better family companion, especially in households where there are young children.
Many studies have shown that proper dog training makes a big impact when it comes to cutting down on the number of dog bites and other behavior problems encountered by dog owning households.
When considering training your own dog, or having someone else help you train, there are certain basic commands that must be mastered in order for a dog to be considered 'truly' trained.
Basic Dog Commands
These basic commands include:
- Heel: it is important that any dog learn to walk beside its owner on a loose lead, neither pulling ahead nor lagging behind.
- Respond to the word No: the word no is one word that all dogs must learn. Training your dog to respond to this important word can save you a ton of trouble. (We use "off" but the meaning is the same.)
- Sit: training your dog to sit on command is a vital part of any dog training program.
- Stay: a well trained dog should remain where his owner commands and is essential to training.
- Down: lying down on command is more than just a cute trick; it is a key component of any successful dog training program.
Benefits of Training
Training does much more than just create an obedient, willing companion. Training your dog properly actually strengthens the bond that already exists between you and your dog.
Dogs are pack animals, and they look to you, as the pack leader to tell them what to do. The key to successful dog training is to set yourself up as that pack leader. Establishing yourself as pack leader is a very important concept for any dog owner to understand. There is only one leader in every pack of dogs, and the owner must establish him or herself as the dominant animal. Failure to do so could lead to many behavior problems.
A properly trained dog will respond to all the owner’s commands, and will not display anxiety, displeasure or confusion. A good dog training program will focus on allowing the dog to learn just what is expected of it, and will use positive reinforcement to reward desired behaviors.
In addition to making the dog a good member of the community, obedience training is a great way to fulfill some of the dog’s own needs, including the need for exercise, the security that comes with knowing what is expected of him, a feeling of accomplishment and a good working relationship with his family/pack. Dog training gives the dog an important job to do, and an important goal to reach.
Every Dog Needs A Job
Giving your dog a job is more important than you may think. Dogs were originally bred to do important work, such as herding sheep, guarding property and protecting people. Many dogs today have no important job to do, and this can often lead to boredom and neurotic behavior.
Basic obedience training, and ongoing training sessions, provide your dog with an important job to do. This is especially important for high energy breeds. Training sessions are a great way for these high energy dogs to use up their extra energy and simply to enjoy themselves
Incorporating playtime into your dog training sessions is a great way to prevent both yourself and your dog from becoming bored. Playing with your dog helps to strengthen the all important bond between you – the pack leader – and your dog.
This page contains affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Let's face it, many of our dogs are not the best behaved. Finding a good trainer can be difficult or out of your budget. Check out this free training workshop for basic training tips to get you started. You don't need a lot of time or experience AND it works!
Disabilities And Dog Owners
Just because you are dealing with a disability does not mean you can’t have a dog in your life. Studies indicate doing so will benefit you and the dog. There are some things you can do to make the experience easier.
If you need help giving your dog medicine, fluids, or shots, ask your veterinarian if he or she knows of anyone who will make home visits. If not, contact local pet-sitters to find ones who will assist you. Many pet-sitters are trained to perform these functions for the sick pet for owners who cannot perform them for themselves or for owners when they are away.
To play with your dog, use flashlights or laser pointers. Dogs love chasing the light, and you won't have to make a move. An alternative is a remote control car for him to chase. He gets exercise and you do not get over-exhausted.
If you have difficulty performing basic functions for yourself, investigate the use of a service or assistance dog. Assistance dogs are trained to help people with physical limitations perform their everyday functions. Assistance dogs are accepted in public places just as guide dogs and hearing dogs are.
Divide large bags of food into smaller containers to help with lifting and filling dishes. If you get large dishes, you will spend less time and energy filling them. There are dog food stands that raise the bowls above floor so you won’t have to bend as much when you fill them.
Walking a dog when you are disabled can be difficult. Consider hiring a neighborhood teen to do this or have a pet sitter come in and walk your dog each day. Fenced-in yards are another alternative to consider.
Having a disability doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the companionship of a dog. It takes just a little adjusting for you both to be happy.
