It's that time of year again. Everyone is out shopping for special gifts, celebrating the season with friends and family, cooking and baking up a storm. It's a time when we all are "burning the candle at both ends". It's important to remember that our pups need to fit into our busy schedules - it's so easy to just let them out in the yard rather than taking them for a walk or to leave them with a treat toy while you dash out the door for a party. I think that this is the time of year that many pups get into TROUBLE!! Who can blame them? There's that gorgeous tree with all those shiny balls dangling from the branches. I can just imagine what is going through some dogs' minds ... "hmmm, look at all those balls. Mom and Dad usually play fetch with me in the evening. I wonder if those balls are for me. My balls are usually in the toy bin. Maybe these are special balls because they left me at home by myself. Oh but there are so many balls. I didn't get a nice walk after dinner. There are so many balls ... yep, that's it!! Those balls must be for me because my people are really feeling bad for leaving me! Let me at 'em!!!" LOL ... sadly, I know someone who came home to find her dog had chomped on one of those shiny balls. Luckily none of the bits were ingested. There are so many other "opportunities" like this during the holidays. Everything from Poinsettias and tinsel to the lovely treats that are put out for the cocktail party. These can make for a dangerous environment. It's important for us to keep our four legged friends safe by managing the situation ... this may mean crating your pup, putting them into a bedroom with the door closed.
The days between Christmas and New Year's are my favourite. The pace is much slower and the days are generally stressfree. These are the days when I make a special effort to reconnect with my dogs by taking them on long hikes through wooded areas. I think of this as my gift to them for all days when I've been distracted by all the holiday preparations. Plus after all the celebrations, it's good to get out, get some fresh air and enjoy the great outdoors.
Whatever your tradition and where ever you are for the holidays, I wish you a safe and happy holiday season.
The days between Christmas and New Year's are my favourite. The pace is much slower and the days are generally stressfree. These are the days when I make a special effort to reconnect with my dogs by taking them on long hikes through wooded areas. I think of this as my gift to them for all days when I've been distracted by all the holiday preparations. Plus after all the celebrations, it's good to get out, get some fresh air and enjoy the great outdoors.
Whatever your tradition and where ever you are for the holidays, I wish you a safe and happy holiday season.
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