Life On a Chain

What is the point of having a dog when all you are going to do is chain it up outside?

A dog is not a object or a piece of property. It is a living and breathing being.

For protection? How is a chained dog going to physically protect you? 

A chained barking dog is far from being intimidating....

A chain dog is a dead dog. It's impossible for a chained dog to get out of dangerous situations or escape from a aggressive animal or human. You basically are giving your dog a death sentence....

I don't want my house dirty from the dog. 

Don't have a dog if material positions are more important to you then a life.

My dog is my pride and joy. I want to show how tough he/she is on a big heavy chain.

Really? Would you want to haul around a big heavy chain to prove how tough you are?

My kids play with the dog sometimes.

What about any other time? 

So many reasons that are beyond me and my reasonable way of thinking why anyone would just throw a dog on a chain outside, maybe throw it some food and water once in a while and if that dog is really lucky have a decent form of shelter and call that pet ownership.

A dog is a pack animal. It needs it's pack. It needs family.

Pets and Cold Weather

It's that time of year where it's getting a bit to chilly for you and your pets  to venture outside for too long of a period of time. Here are some tips:

1. Just stay inside! If it's 32 degrees or lower your best bet for you and your pets is to stay indoors as much as possible. Stay warm and comfty. Your pets will love you for it!

2. Never let your dog venture outside without a leash! They could slip on ice, get lost in the snow or worst yet fall into a icy body of water =(  As for kitties  keep a watchful eye on them and don't let them wander to far or teach them to walk on a leash.

3. If you have a short hair dog or a small toy breed of dog consider a doggy coat or sweater and maybe booties although most dogs detest those things. I usually don't condone dressing your pup up but if it's cold outside go ahead and bundle up. Better safe then sorry.

4. Dry your pets off and wash their feet off after a day of outside of play. That way they won't chill and you get all that outside gunk like road salt, deicer or antifreeze off their delicate paws.

5. Don't leave your pets out in the cold for long periods of time unless you have proper, adequate shelter. A well-insulated barn or enclosed shed with some hay/blankets and little to no draft should be fine for your outdoor kitties. Some sort of well-insulated dog house elevated off the cold ground but closed off will work. Just make sure there is a blanket or some hay to help keep your pet warm. Basically keep your pet dry and out of any cold drafts.

6. Keep your pets healthy and well-fed. If necessary feed your outdoor pets extra high-protein food. If you see that your pet is not doing so well outdoors please bring them indoors and warm them up or keep them inside on very cold nights and days.

7. Check under the hood of your car for stray cats. Sometimes they will crawl up into your engine for warmth. So bang on your hood before starting your car just to make sure.

8. Don't use electric blankets with your pets unattended! They could get burnt or chew through the electrical cords.