Monday, September 14, 2015

Pet Memorial Book, DIY, Paying it Forward

Yesterday, September 13th was National Pet Memorial Day. The passing of a beloved pet is a hard time for any owner of any age. Today I'm sharing with you an amazing book that talks about "doggie heaven," two easy DIY project, and a great way to "pay it forward" after your dog passes. 


Talking to children about the loss of a pet can be a hard and difficult task and sometimes they just don't understand. Dog Heaven is a great book/tool parents can use to help talk to their children during this difficult time.

Dog Heaven is wonderfully illustrated and beautifully written. As most families consider their dog part of the family, this book helps answer questions about "doggie heaven." 

Dog Heaven would make a great gift to help provide comfort to both children and adults. 



"Mom will you stop taking pictures so I can finish this book."


Here are two DIY project you can do either in honor of your pet or make as a gift.


The first project is adding a decal to a candle. This is an easy project anyone can do at any age and makes a wonderful reminder of the pet that was lost.

Directions
1. All you need as a candle of any size and as many decals as you want to put on your candle. I got this decal from Stylish Canine's Etsy page. Stylish Canine sells decals of all shapes (paw prints, tennis balls, bones, dog breeds) and sizes. You can also find decals at most craft stores. If you have a Cricut machine you can make you own.
2. Simply place you decal facing up and rub over the top of the plastic with a hard, flat object. I used a credit card.
3. Peel off the back.
4. Place on your candle.
5. Take your flat object and rub over the entire plastic and the decal. 
6. Slowly start removing the last piece of plastic. If the decal doesn't stick to the candle you need to rub over the decal harder.


For this DIY Candle/Collar project all you need is a candle, close to the size of the collar, and a collar.

In the photo above I used Callie the Cat's collar. (No she didn't pass.) I just adjusted the collar to fit around the candle. If the collar is too big for the candle you many need to over lap the collar and tie it into place.

This is easy and a great way to display your beloved pet's collar. 


I was at the dog park a couple of weeks ago and noticed all these tennis balls around the park. At first I thought I was in heaven. But then we saw a bucket on the picnic table.


The bucket had a message on it saying, 
"In Loving Memory of Moshe who has crossed the Rainbow Bride. Please help yourself to a ball for your dog to enjoy today! Love your dog extra today and remember the time we have with them is way too short!"

What a great way for the family to "pay it forward" and share Moshe beloved past time with others. 

Like the message stated our time on this earth is way too short. Remember to cherish each and everyday you have with you pet.

I'm going to end this post with a very fitting quote:
"Dogs leave paw prints on our hearts."

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Bleeding Purple


Are you ready for some football???
It is that time of the year where Sunday is consumed by hanging around the tv yelling, cheering, and figuring out who the true die hard fans are. That's right it is football season.

In my house hold we bleed purple, Viking purple that is! My mom's favorite line to tell people is, "My two favorite teams are Minnesota and who ever plays Greenbay." So this week our second favorite team will be the Chicago Bears!

Which team will you be cheering for???


Today I'm joining the Sunday Selfies Blog Hop hosted by The Cat on My Head.










Friday, September 11, 2015

Fort Ridgely Hike



My humans and I hit the road for a "historic" hike at Fort Ridgely. We have camped at the state park connected to this historic site but I have never visited. So we jumped into our car and headed out for some fresh air and bonding time.


Here is some history about Fort Ridgely:
"Built in 1853 as a police station to keep peace as settlers poured into the former Dakota lands, it withstood several attacks in the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862 and became a training ground for Civil War recruits."
To learn more visit the Minnesota Historical Society.


As we walked along the path my humans read the signs to me and explained what the rocks in the ground were.


My humans explained to me that the rock structures, we were seeing in the ground, were the foundation to the buildings at the fort. These structures were amazing to see and imaging what they were like when the buildings were on them.

Now time to pose in front of the monument.


I had so much fun visiting For Ridgely. Can't wait to see where my adventures bring me next.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend, see you on Monday!



Today I'm joining the FitDog Friday Blog Hop hosted by SlimDoggy, My GBGV Life, and To Dog With Love



Thursday, September 10, 2015

Suicide Awareness Day


"Not All Disabilities Are Visible"

Suicide Facts
  • 10th leading cause of death in U.S. adults.
  • 3rd leading cause among U.S. adolescents.
  • More than 34,000 individuals take their own life each year.
  • More women attempt suicide each year then men.
  • Men are four times more likely to die by suicide then women.
  • The highest risk for suicide is people under 24 or over 65 years old.
  • Who is at risk:
    • Substance abuse
    • Those who are intoxicated
    • Access to firearms
    • Chronic medial illness
    • History of trauma
    • Isolation
    • Recent tragedy or loss
    • Agitation and sleep deprivation

Warning Signs
  • Making treats or comments about killing themselves
  • Increased alcohol and drug use
  • Aggressive behavior
  • Social withdrawal 
  • Dramatic mood swings
  • Preoccupation with talking, writing or thinking about death
  • Impulsive or reckless behavior

This is just a quick summery, if you would like to learn more visit: National Alliance on Mental Illness

If you know someone who needs help and is in an emergency call 911 immediately.

I have learned so much about the benefits psychiatric service dogs provide for those struggling with mental health problems from The Lola Project. While medications are the main course of treatment, more and more of my furry companions are being trained to support and help those with mental health disorders. 

If you are interested in learning more about mental illness and/or psychiatric service dogs I encourage you to visit The Lola Project. They are great at answering any question you may have on this topic. They also sell these bandanas you see in the pictures, if you are interested in one simply message them.



I love these bandanas I got from The Lola Project. They are a great reminder that not everyone's disabilities is visible. Someone may be smiling on the outside but hurting on the inside. 

I'm giving two of these bandanas away in a giveaway! Enter for your chance to win one of the bandanas you see on the wall. There will be two winners. Simply be a US resident who is 18 years of age and enter the rafflecopter below! Contest goes until 9/16/15 at midnight.



Today I'm joining the Thoughtless Thursday Blog Hop hosted by Ruckus the Eskie, Love is Being Owned by a Huskie, and M.K.Clinton






Tuesday, September 8, 2015

2nd Blogiversary Picture Paw-ty!


Thank you for stopping by for my 2nd Blogiversary Picture Paw-ty! I'm so glad so many of my fur-iends could join and help me celebrate!

My pals Abbey, Louie, and Carlie wan't to join the fun!


And don't forget Callie the Cat, I think she got into my treats!

Now let's get this Paw-ty started!!!

 Visit Cat Flap Cavalier
Visit Cat Flap Cavalier
Ruby Princess, 4 year old Cavalier
Visit Life with Dogs and Cats
Lilah, Tucker, and Jasper have a band called Sticks and Noses!
Visit Cheapskate 4 Life
Dotty, 9 year old Jack Russel Terrier/Papillon Mix
Visit Cheapskate 4 Life
Rocky, 7 year old Orange Tabby
Visit Cheapskate 4 Life
Mocha a 12 year old Husky/Black Lab Mix
Visit Dakota's Den and Cat Chat with Caren and Cody
Cody (left) an 8 year old Silver Gray Tabby.
Dakota (right) a Shetland Sheepdog who is also 8 years old. 
Visit their website Kari & Carey
Max is a 3.5 year old Puggle and Luther is a 2.5 year old Olde English Bulldog.
Visit Chasing Dog Tales
Haley an 8 year old Lab/Boxer Mix.
Visit Whitley Westie
Whitley a 12 year old West Highland White Terrier.
Visit The Rock 'n' Roll Dog
Thornton Parsons a 9 year old Jack Russell, Galazy a 10 year old Lab Mix, and Mr. Twix 18 month old Lhasa Apso.

Visit Pawsitively Pets
Shiner a 12 year old Pit Bull girl.
Visit Laika's Hundle Liv
Laika a German Shepard and Vaks a 9 year old Rescue Mix.
Visit Talent Hounds
Kilo a 4 year old Black Pug
Visit Something Wagging
Honey a 5.5 year old Golden Retriever
Visit Fidose of Reality
Dexter a 7 year old American Cocker Spaniel
Visit My GBGV Life
Emma and Bailie both GBGVs and Katie a Kuvasz
Visit Tenacious Little Terrier
Mr.N a 6 year old Yorkie/Maltese Mix
Visit M.K.Clinton
Bentley a 7 year old Basset Hound and Pierre a 4 year old Westie
Visit Denise's Dog Dish
Shasta approx. 11 year old rescued Yorkie/Schnauzer Mix (larger pup) and Teddy an 8 year old Yorkie (smaller pup)
Visit bigbaysid on Instagram
Sid is a 4 year old American Pitbull and his stuffed animal.
Visit The Hailey and Zaphod Chronicles
Hailey a 5.5 year old Black Mutt and Zaphod a 4 year old Shepherd Mix
Visit Playful Kitty
Manna (upper cat) who is 8 years old and Cinco (lower cat) a 9 year old both American Shorthair Cats.
Visit Aussies in Charge
Sera a 4 year old Mini Australian Shepherd
Visit The Sawy VetTech
Zoe a 12 year old Lab Mix and Sophie a 2 year old Terrier Mix

Seiji a 5-6 year old Treeing Walker Coonhound MIx 

Kyoko a 6 year old Treeing Walker Coonhound 

Kenji a 5.5 year old Treeing Walker Coonhound

Suki a 14.5 year old Treeing Walker Coonhound 

Koneko a 12+ year old Maine Coon

Moko a 7 year old Domestic Short-Haired

Arata a 2 year old Domestic Short-Haired
This good looking cat's birthday is today, Happy Birthday Arata!
Visit Tiffany's Diamond Dogs
From right to left: Bella a 11 year old Blue Heeler, Terra a 4 year old Aussie and Kronos a 2 year old CowDog Mix
Visit Keep the Tail Wagging
Zoey, Scout, Sydney, and Rodrigo

Visit Daily Dog Tag
Sophie a Black and White Pomeranian/American Eskimo Mix
Visit Daily Dog Tag
Theo a Brown Puggle Mix
Visit Daily Dog Tag
Nelly a Maltese
Visit Liv & Spark Embark
Olivia and Sparkle approx. 2 year old Little Rescue Sisters
Visit Her and Her Dogs
Please meet Rooster.


Thank to from the bottom of my heart to everyone who joined my Picture Paw-ty! This event was a huge success. I will announce the randomly selected winning picture this evening on my Facebook page around 7pm. The winner will also be contacted by email.




Today I'm joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop hosted by BlogPaws.