Party Animals: How to Party with Your Pets!

party-poodleOur friends over at Petcentric are ready to party with their pets! They say, “Love to party but want to get your fun-loving “party animals” involved, too? From novel ideas to pet safety, we’ve got the lowdown! Parties aren’t just for humans. From birthdays to parades, pets enjoy dressing for special events, and we enjoy seeing them dressed up. Are your pets party animals?

Let’s Play Dress-Up

Since gathering with friends and family is one of our favorite ways to celebrate a special occasion, the dogs also get in on the action. Over the years they have sported decorative dog sweaters or seasonal-printed bandannas to get into the party spirit.

When choosing clothing for your party animals, keep these tips in mind:

  • Don’t obstruct the pet’s ability to see, walk, or breathe.
  • Choose an accessory or clothing made specifically for pets.
  • Pick a quiet outfit (without bells and squeakers) that won’t startle or annoy your pet.

Special Party Treats

Although I look forward to indulging in a piece of celebratory cake or a tray of cookies, these sweet treats aren’t good for pets. In fact, chocolate is poisonous to both dogs and cats.

Commit to keeping your pets healthy and happy during a party. I like to keep all candy out of reach and head to the pet store to pick out something special for my dogs. I enjoy selecting a variety of soft, chewy, and crunchy treats.

Going Out on the Town

There are many ways to get involved in the community for seasonal celebrations. Local shelters and rescue groups often host holiday party-themed fundraising events. For a small entry fee that helps adoptable pets, you can take part in a parade, costume contest, or pet party — or even wander through a corn maze in the fall.

In the past, I have served as the emcee for a local costume contest for pets. I think the pet owners were having just as much fun as the party animals. There were many “ooohs and ahhhs” coming from the crowd as each pet took its turn on the runway.

Whether you dress up your pets with colorful bandannas or surprise them with special party treats, your four-legged family members will love the extra attention during a celebration — and you’ll cherish all the funny snapshots of them indulging in the moment!

Join the party online here by posting your comments on Petcentric’s article !

Photos of smiling pets

smiling-cat-JackWe love photos of smiling pets! Our friends over at Petcentric posted pics of 7 smiling pets here, and we have to agree, pet smiles are contagious! We’ve added a seven smiling dog and cat photos of our own below. Pets sometimes smile with their eyes, but in these photos we think their grins are pretty visible too! Petcentric says, “Check out their adorable warm, furry grins, and get ready to smile. Whether it’s getting a new toy, taking a long walk or enjoying a little extra cuddle time on the couch, pets have a lot to smile about. The best part about pet smiles is that they make people smile, too. Check out these adorable cat and dog smiles that are sure to leave you grinning.” If you have a photo of your adopted pet smiling, why not share with other pet people to inspire them to adopt a pet too! You can do that on the Petcentric Facebook page here.
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All photos above are of adopted pets taken by me, Jennifer Warner Jacobsen, Director of Shelter Programs, Adopt-a-Pet.com.

Pop a Cork. Save a Life.

Badgerhound_wine
Daylight Wine Co. is donating $1 for every bottle of their Badgerhound 2012 Zinfandel Sonoma Valley sold through their website to Adopt-a-Pet.com in hopes of being a small part in more amazing transformations just like Winnie’s, an amazing comeback story. One of their resident dachshunds, Winnie, transformed from the fearful and anxious dog they rescued, into a confident, beautiful and loving office hound.

Daylight Wine Co. has this to say about this particular wine offering: Looking for a tentative Zinfandel? You won’t find it here. Just like the dachshund himself, this wine leads with a great nose. A tenacious Zin in every sense of the word, it is HUGE in character. Candied fruit leads the charge, and is perfectly balanced with black pepper. Soft and velvety tannins provide great mouthfeel without overwhelming the big fruit flavor. Tarragon and fennel notes at the tail end.

New Dog Safety Book: For Dog's Sake!

This handy life-saving book, “For Dog’s Sake!” is by our co-founder, the artist behind Red and Howling.  It’s a goldmine of information that all dog parents need, from how to perform the Heimlich Maneuver on a pet who is choking to understanding the hidden dangers that lurk in our homes. Best of all, purchase the book between now and the end of June and 20% of the author’s proceeds will go directly to helping sick and injured shelter pets through Adopt-a-Pet.com’s Veterinary Care Fund.

Get the book! www.ForDogsSake.Rocks

People Foods Friendly for Dogs

People Friendly Foods for Dogs If your dog is like most, its part time profession is begging for table scraps, and when its time for dinner, guess who is always first in line for a plate. Dogs can share a wide variety of foods with you, but their diet pyramid is a lot different than ours. A K9’s diet should be made up of at least at least 90% lean meat. Other foods from groups like vegetables, fruits, and carbs are also okay. To read more about pouch friendly foods continue over at woofreport.com