BARK4CLT
I’ve started a new initiative. It’s called BARK 4 CLT ( Bark for Charlotte.) I’m using the hashtag #BARK4CLT on my posts. I’m volunteering my time to do things like take photos of dogs that are available for adoption.
I’ve started a new initiative. It’s called BARK 4 CLT ( Bark for Charlotte.) I’m using the hashtag #BARK4CLT on my posts.
This is an idea I’ve been thinking about for a while. I’ve always done some sort of volunteer work helping dogs in need and I want to do more in my local community.
Things I have done in the past:
volunteered my time walking an elderly client’s dog because she couldn’t do it herself
volunteered my time to photograph rescued dogs up for adoption.
volunteered my time with various local rescue groups at events
I want to do more of this. If you know of a rescue who needs photos taken of the dogs available for adoption, I will do it.
The dog pictured here is Grace and she is 10. She was adopted as a puppy from Animal Care and Control. She was returned earlier this year as a 10 year old dog with heartworms.
Elsa's Pride swooped in and saved her and paid for her HW treatment. For months she lived at a boarding kennel because there are never enough foster homes.
In August she moved to a foster home but due to an illness, the foster home has to give her up. A new foster or forever home is needed ASAP. She can be dog agressive but with people she is an absolute sweetheart.
A volunteer from Animal Care and Control reached out to me about photographing her and of course I said yes.
I really hope she doesn't have to go back to boarding. I hope a family will open up their home and heart to her. Everyone deserves a family.
If you are interested in learning more about Grace, contact Elsa’s Pride via email at elsasprideinc@gmail.com.
Pets and Hurricane Preparedness
Keeping pets safe during a hurricane is something many people along the coast and even sometimes those inland have to do. Even though I live 3.5 hours inland, #hurricaneflorence is going to dump a lot of rain in Charlotte and being prepared is important.
Keeping pets safe during a hurricane is something many people along the coast and even sometimes those inland have to do. Even though I live 3.5 hours inland, #hurricaneflorence is going to dump a lot of rain in Charlotte and being prepared is important.
Here is a poster from petfinder.com that can help you prepare.
Many of you probably don’t know that after Hurricane Katrina, I got heavily involved in the pet rescues. I volunteered remotely with a group called Stealth Volunteers and we helped to reunite lost pets with their owners. If you want to read about those pet rescue efforts here is an artical by my friend Robin Siegel and here is another that has a quote from me.
Thank goodness so many things have changed since then. People are urged to evacuate with their pets. Shelters are set up that allow pets. If pets are rescued from homes, there is much better record keeping that will allow those pets to be reunited with their families.
Tips for Keeping Your Pets Safe in a Hurricane:
Evacuate with your pets if you can. Follow the instructions on the poster above.
When you take your pets outside, leash them up. Don’t leave them unattended. They may become frightened in high winds and run off. Fences may be torn down and you might not know.
Know that your pet may pick up on your stress level. He may act differently because of that. Be patient with him.
Have a plan. If you didn’t evacuate and you expereince flash flooding, make sure you have a plan in place to get out quickly and safely with your pets.
Frozen Treats for your Pup
Frozen treats for your pup made with yogurt, peanut butter, a banana and honey. They're a great summer treat.
During the hot summer months, frozen dog treats can help keep your pup cool.
Frozen treats for your pup made with yogurt, peanut butter, a banana and honey. They're a great summer treat. I started making them years ago. I did some volunteer work for an elementary summer school program and we made these and then donated them to our local Humane Society.
Ingredients:
1 large container plain yogurt or plain greek yogurt
1/2 cup all natural peanut butter (please don't use low fat or reduced fat peanut butter)*
1 large ripe banana
1 tablespoon honey
Mash the banana with a fork or if you want to get fancy, get out the food processor. Mix all of the ingredients in a large bowl. Pour them into ice cube trays and freeze for 2 hours. There are lots of cute ice cube trays available these days in different types of shapes like dog bones or dog paws.
Moose is a big fan of these. I've not made them yet since we've had Molly but I'm sure she'd love them too.
**word of caution: let them thaw slightly before giving them to your dog. Also supervise them so they don't swallow them whole. Find trays to freeze them in that would be the appropriate size for your dog.**
Happy summer and I hope your pup enjoys these frozen treats.
*some low fat peanut butter has xylitol in it which can be toxic to dogs. Be sure to read the ingredients list or get all natural.
Brady and Ferguson
These two cuties are Brady and Ferguson. They turned 9 in June which makes me shake my head in disbelief because I've known them since they were 3 months old. Their dad contacted me back in September 2009 and they've been a client ever since. I see them every day while their dad is at work.
These two cuties are Brady and Ferguson. They turned 9 in June which makes me shake my head in disbelief because I've known them since they were 3 months old. Their dad contacted me back in September 2009 and they've been a client ever since. I see them every day while their dad is at work.
Brady on the left in the photo above likes to walk. Fergie on the right loves to be outside (as long as the ground isn't wet) but he doesn't love to walk. He prefers to sit and look around with his nose in the air. His dad and I think that might be because he's had some foot issues.
Every day when I walk into their house, they come running to greet me. Brady usually gets to me first and he jumps up to say hi. Ferguson runs over too, waits for me to pet him and then they go flying to the back door and wait for me to open it. I sometimes think they must sit and look out the back windows watching the squirrels and the birds because they go zooming out and sometimes bark as if to say, "This is my yard, get out!" They're pretty funny and very predictable.
They live close to me too so I get to see them frequently when their dad is out walking them. One of the best feelings in the world is when they see me and they get all excited. Even though I've most likely just seen them a few hours earlier in the day while their dad was at work, they're still running towards me pulling their dad along to come over and say hi. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I have the best job in the world.
If you think your dog would enjoy a midday break while you're at work, get in touch. We will take them for a walk, let them roam your backyard or whatever they'd like to do. #bestjobever
First Time Pet Owner
Are you a first time pet owner?
6 Essential Tips For the First Time Pet Owner
Are you a first time pet owner? There are numerous health benefits that come with owning a pet from less stress to improved heart health to weight control, so it’s no wonder there are millions of people in the United States taking care of an animal. But if you’re considering being a first-time pet owner, it’s essential that you carefully consider your options so you can pick the best pet to fit within your current lifestyle. This is key as one of your responsibilities as an owner is ensuring the health and happiness of your pet. Here are some tips to help you prepare for this exciting milestone in your life.
- Assess your home and lifestyle to determine the best pet for you. For example, if you work long hours, a dog might not make sense because most dogs prefer to be social and they need exercise. However, if you live in the Charlotte area you can contact See Spot Run Dog Walking and Pet Sitting to ensure your pooch gets plenty of exercise and time outdoors. On the flipside, a pooch could be a great pick if you’re an extremely active person who loves to spend time outdoors. If you have a small home or apartment sans yard, dogs are still a viable option, but a cat, fish aquarium, or bird are excellent choices too. If you or anyone in your family has allergies, get advice from an expert such as a doctor as to what breed might be best for your family if someone in your household suffers from allergies. There are a few non-allergenic dog breeds to consider such as a Portuguese water dog or a poodle.
- Once you determine the pet, do your homework to figure out which breed works best. Along with considering factors such as activity level, age, size, shedding tendencies and adaptability, it’s helpful to know which breeds get along with other cats, dogs, babies, and people in general, however there are always exceptions. Consider these factors carefully, as you want to make sure you can handle your pet so it doesn’t become one of the 6.5 million animals to be surrendered to a shelter each year.
- Prepare your home so your pet feels as though it has a place to call its own. A comfortable bed, a variety of toys to stimulate different senses (this prevents boredom), fresh and clean water, food/snacks for those in between meals — usually something dry that doesn’t spoil. If you have an elderly pet make sure the bed is not on a cold floor as the temperature is apt to affect sore joints. Providing he/she is allowed, invest in a few ramps or “dog stairs” to place near couches so your dog doesn’t have to jump.
- Even if your dog or cat is older, show them right away where the litter box and yard are at your home so you can prevent an accident. Expect that accidents may happen and be patient with your pet if they do. Remember that with training any new pet, consistent training is key for helping them learn and understand what you want them to do.
- Rescue pets may be particularly nervous at first, so execute caution when bringing one into your home. Don’t let your kids overstimulate the animal and be mindful of shouting and loud noises that could be considered a threat to your pet. The best thing you can do is let your new family member adjust at his/her own pace. Win the animal’s trust by letting them come to you first — no matter how much you want to smother it with love. Let it explore its new surroundings and get acclimated.
- Once you bring your pet home, you can start bonding with your pet. Regular playtime can keep your pet out of trouble (e.g. chewing up or scratching things), so make sure you make time to engage with your animal on a daily basis, especially right before and after leaving the house. It may take a while to get to know your pet’s personality, but once you’ve mastered it, you’ll have a better idea of what makes your furry friend happy.
Owning a pet is a huge undertaking, so make sure you truly commit to the reality — not the fantasy. Playtime, obedience issues, cleanup, feeding times and medical bills all come with responsible ownership. As long as that doesn’t scare you, then you’re on your way to having a great relationship with your new pet based upon love and respect and we wish you the best of luck as a first time pet owner.
This was a guest blog post by Jessica, a dog lover and creator of OurBestFriends.pet. She created the site to offer a place for animal lovers to share their favorite pet photos and stories about their furry pals. Jessica believes dogs are the best creatures on earth. She enjoys writing about and sharing photos of dogs (and other pets!) on her website.
Are you on Instagram?
Are you on Instagram? If by chance you're not familiar with it, it's a social media site that is specifically for posting photos and videos and the posting can only be done from your phone. As a dog photographer, I started an Instagram account shortly after I started BARKography. You can check out my @barkography account here.
I really like Instagram. I follow other accounts. I enjoy looking at their photos and reading their captions. Other accounts follow me. I feel like I've gotten to know some of them even though we've never met. I actually have met a few of them. A couple of local Charlotte people and a few others across the US and Canada when I've traveled.
If you're on Instagram, I thought it'd be fun to mention some of my favorite accounts. Of course I follow a lot of dog photographers and a lot of dog accounts. YES, people create accounts for their dogs. If I'm being honest, I never know if I should comment as if I'm talking to the dog... I suppose I am supposed to do that but I usually don't.
I'd love to know some of your favorite accounts too.
One comment that I got from a florist that I'll always remember is how happy she is to always see my dog photos. She commented that she mainly follows wedding photographers, other florists, and other businesses that support weddings so she loves seeing the dog photos I post. That made me feel good.
So without further ado, here are a few of the accounts I enjoy seeing:
Viking the Lab - I don't know his story. I know he is rescued. I'm not sure why he is cross-eyed but his posts bring a smile to my face every time I see them. I laugh a lot at his posts too.
Nemocrr - Nemo the curly coated retriever is quite the joke teller. He's pretty amazing.
Dancers and Dogs - This one is amazing. I hope I have this right: 2 photographers out of St. Louis that were mainly dance photographers came up with the idea of adding dogs. Here is a link to their website and a behind the scenes photo of what they do.
For someone who often suffers from wanderlust, I follow a few accounts that feed my soul. Accounts such as: Wild Coast Adventures and My Banff.
Do you have Instagram accounts you always love seeing? Which ones are they?