Search Results for: blog planting around your pets

Live Plants for Your Aquarium

Live plants look great in the tank and give your fish places to hide and explore. There are different types of plant you can include: stem plants, rooted plants, floating plants, and specialty plants. Tank plants will generally do well if you have a nutrient-rich substrate at the bottom of your tank and a layer of gravel to keep debris away. And don’t forget a light source! Plants need sunlight in order to survive. Place large, heavy objects like rock and driftwood before you plant your plants — if you try to add heavy objects last, you may damage your … Continue reading →

What Fall Means to Your Pet: The Good, the Bad, and the Sniffly

Just like many of us humans, animals rejoice in fall’s coming too. The milder weather lends to more outdoor time, which is good, but it can also be not so good. The Good: Outdoor Time My Murph likes fall because it means more time sitting on the back deck, longer walks, and more frequent trips to the park. It’s easy to both sneak in more exercise and relaxation at this time of year. The cooler weather also often revives Murph, making him a bit more perky and frisky. He’s more inclined to play tugga-tugga with his shaky ball in the … Continue reading →

The Things We Do for Our Cats

If you’re the kind of doting cat mama that I am, you do more than just clean litter boxes and take them to the vet for their annual checkup, don’t you? When you go on vacations you fret about their wellbeing and miss them like mad. (Even though no doubt you’ve either placed them in a great cat B&B like the one Aimee works at or with a trustworthy pet sitter.) Heck, you might even plan it so they can come along. Their safety is always first and foremost on your mind. When you have to take them in the … Continue reading →

Subliminal Communication 101: How to Manipulate Mates and Influence Lovers

In addition to September’s designation as Pleasure Your Mate Month, it’s also Subliminal Communications Month. “What does that have to do with marriage?” you may be wondering. Manipulation, pure and simple. Ah, but before you go judging and thinking manipulation is a bad thing, wait. Sure, manipulation has been put to many a dark use, but it is not inherently evil. Quite the contrary. Why I Use It Wayne would tell you I’ve almost mastered the fine art of manipulation. I will admit he’s right. I’ve had a good apprenticeship, though. It started in college, as part of my major … Continue reading →

Life Without A Fence

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I feel bad sometimes, that I took my dogs away from their big, fenced backyard at home in New Jersey. Here in Oregon, we have a lovely apartment, and the complex has lots of walking paths for us to explore. But I no longer have the luxury of opening the back door and letting the dogs out to romp and sniff and play in the yard. It takes some getting used to. I was definitely spoiled; Lally and I could play ball while Moose watched the neighborhood kids play and nobody had to worry about leashes. Now, unless we go … Continue reading →

Great Ideas for the Great Outdoors

Whether you just like to sit outside in the morning with your coffee, or enjoy indulging in delicious dinners outdoors, or even if you simply like to relax to soothing sounds outside in the evening, you may find your experience interrupted by pests. In another article, I mentioned using marigolds as a good way to keep some insects away, since they don’t care for the scent. Instead of just planting some near the house, however, you might also want to consider picking up some potted marigolds. They are bright and beautiful, and you will be able to move them with … Continue reading →

Yard and Garden: Controlling Snakes

Even if you don’t live out in the country, you may encounter snakes in your yard or garden. There are various types of snakes, many of which are not only harmless but may also be beneficial. They tend to eat other pests. Still, it is wise to avoid contact with snakes since you may not know which ones are dangerous. Pit vipers have triangle shaped heads with a “dent” or pit between the eyes and should always be avoided. Watch where you step and don’t reach into piles with bare hands. Use a rake or a shovel to reach in … Continue reading →

Six More Weeks of Winter or an Early Spring?: Punxsutawney Phil’s 2007 Prediction

He’s kind of like Santa Claus. There’s only one day a year when Punxsutawney Phil, the “prognosticating groundhog,” is called upon to do his job and today was it. This morning, amidst much pomp and circumstance in front of thousands on Gobbler’s Knob, Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Inner Circle members John Griffiths and Ben Hughes pulled Phil from his burrow. If he saw his shadow and made a dash back to his hovel, we’re in for six more weeks of winter. If he didn’t and instead lingered outside, Spring’s on the way. So what happened? Did he dash or loiter? According … Continue reading →