Search Results for: blog taking your pets to work

Why Pets Aren’t Good Presents

This goes without saying, but you can never say it too often because it happens every year: don’t give pets as presents.  If you’re thinking about gifting a pet to someone you love this year, consider very carefully.  Pets are lifelong commitments and responsibilities, not fun presents. Now, I can think of one context in which it could be OK to give a pet for a present: if the person receiving asked for it, knew that’s what they were getting, and understood the responsibilities involved.  That means in most cases, it’s not appropriate to get pets as gifts for children: … Continue reading →

Taking Your Pets to Work

Last week saw a new sort-of holiday, Take Your Dog to Work Day, which indicated a growing trend: pets in the workplace. The North County Times looks at the trend. Just about the only cases you’ll see of animals actually living at the office are for cats, like library cats or the one that lives in my sister-in-law’s office. However, more and more employers are starting to allow the dogs to come in to work with their owners. Some very dog-friendly businesses allow this every day, others just haves special times sent aside, like Take Your Dog to Work Day. … Continue reading →

Taking Care of The Family Dog

The joys of lazy summer days. If you have pets, this time of year can be hard on them and your house. First there is all that hair. In order for them to lose their winter coat and be cooler in the summer, all that hair has to go somewhere, and it’s usually on your floors and furniture and clothes. While you will never get rid of pet hair without getting rid of the pet, there are some things you can do to reduce the hair in your home. Regular, frequent brushing is the best thing you can do. If … Continue reading →

Taking the Plunge

I have decided to take the plunge…no, not into the toilet but into moving. The decision has been made to put our house up for sale. We are ready to move to another community. But honestly, all I can think about is how I will keep up my house so that it is always ready for a showing, especially with three teenagers. In fact, the idea of showing my home stirs up more stress than the task of packing and moving a family of five. So I have decided to put a plan into place. It really works out well, … Continue reading →

Preparing Your Pup for Back to School

For most of us, the last thing on our minds during the busy back to school season is the family dog. As it turns out, Fido might need you to prepare him or her for the change as well. Unless everyone was out of the home all day during the summer, just like during the school year, your dog’s gotten extra summertime company. Thus it might experience some separation anxiety when everyone goes back to their school year schedules. Pet site ZooToo has some tips for how to gage if your dog will have separation anxiety problems during the school … Continue reading →

Ways to Spice Up Your Holiday Photos

Tired of taking the same boring holiday photos of your kids standing like statues in front of the Christmas tree? Then, add a little spice to your to seasonal shots by incorporating some of these creative ideas: Boxes: Get an extra large gift box, wrap it, and then fill it with brightly-colored tissue paper. Then, place your newborn in the box and have your older kids hold the box top to reveal the “gift” of a baby sister or brother. Beach: This is a great idea for families who live in warm climates, such as Hawaii or Florida. Instead of … Continue reading →

Do Your Kids Help in the Kitchen?

My 6-year-old loves to lend a hand (and a mouth) in the kitchen. The cooking classes I enrolled her in paid off in a big way, as her culinary skills are quite advanced for someone her age. Still, she has a way to go before she can whip up a five-course meal for the entire family unassisted. What’s more, she is still learning the finer points of food safety. If your kids like to assist with meal preparation, don’t let the opportunity to teach them basic health and safety tips pass you by. For example, my first grader already knows … Continue reading →

Pets and the Special Needs Child

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When you have a child with a special need, the thought of having an animal to take care of in addition to all of the other work you do can seem like an overwhelming hassle that isn’t worth it. However, children with special needs can benefit in numerous ways from having a pet to bond with and play with. Having a pet teaches every child the importance of responsibility. Your child will learn quickly that the pet needs to be fed, cleaned and cared for. If your child can physically participate in those responsibilities, she should be allowed to. The … Continue reading →

Tips to Taking Better Pictures

You can create the most beautiful scrapbook page with all the embellishments, cute quotes, and fun textures, but if your pictures are poor your page will only disappoint you. Photographs are the heart of every scrapbook page. It is the photographs we cherish not the embellishments. The love and time that goes into a scrapbooking page is the manifestation of our love for our pictures or the subjects in the pictures. It is no wonder that so many scrapbookers also share a hobby in photography. If you are new to photography or just have been dissatisfied with your pictures as … Continue reading →

Pillow Pets

There is the cutest new toy that is perfect for toddlers. It’s called Pillow Pet. You’ve probably seen the commercials and gotten the jingle stuck in your head: “It’s a pillow. It’s a pet. It’s a Pillow Pet.” The commercial shows a variety of stuffed animals that are very fluffy and huggable. The animal looks like an animal until you pull open the hook-and-loop closure. Then the animal flattens out into a perfectly toddler-sized pillow. My toddler doesn’t pay any attention to the commercial. I do. I want a Pillow Pet. Which pet will Jessie like most? She carries a … Continue reading →