Pet owners love #epetsure: Comparing pet insurance plans made easy!
Are you ready to discover my secret to easy pet insurance shopping...
My first real experience working with a pet insurance provider was at the animal hospital where I work now. We try to set clients up on free trials of pet insurance as often as we can, especially for those with new puppies or kittens. But it can take a long time for clients to make a decision- because it’s an important decision- and often times pet parents leave with some brochures and make the decision on their own at home. They search the web endlessly to find the best plan. Is this you? It can be a lot to absorb, I know.
Pet insurance is so important and can be very affordable. I know many pet owners have an "it won't happen to me" mentality about accidents and illnesses when it comes to their pets, but let me tell you- from experience- unexpected accidents CAN happen to you. It happened to me. Pet insurance will just ensure that you are more financially prepared for what may come.
Pet parents always have many questions about pet insurance plans, but I am most commonly asked these two questions:
1. Which pet insurance plan is the best for me?
2. How do I compare pet insurance companies?
Early disease detection: #IDEXX knows that knowing makes all the difference
Hi Paws peeps! Please share this video!
Life hack: What I did when Hazel became too strong for me to play tug
My sweet baby girl Hazel is a Saint Bernese, and although I still see her as my little girl I have to accept the fact that she is 97 pounds of pure muscle. You would think that her bad leg would affect the way she plays, but it doesn't. Her favorite thing to do is to play tug. Unfortunately ropes don't work- she just eats them. So I was really excited when I found this Top Paw™ Tuff Tire Dog Toy at PetSmart that she can chew on and play tug with. Of course the rope was destroyed in the first week, but the tire is tough and she loves it.
#WorldOceansDay: Take the #BetterBagChallenge to help save the #oceans
Do you live near the ocean? If so, then I am SO jealous of you right now! Even though I don't live by the sea, I understand how impactful the ocean is on the entire planets ecosystem. It keeps the world in balance, so if the oceans aren't healthy then the planet can't be either. I couldn't imagine a world without the beautiful marine life that the oceans sustain. That is why June 8 is such an important day- its World Oceans Day!
To help our oceans and its animals, I am taking the Better Bag Challenge. I promise to stop using disposable plastic bags completely. Will you join me? I already use reusable shopping bags almost everyday I shop, but by taking the Better Bag Challenge I am going to try to use these eco friendly bags every time! I've started by folding a fabric shopping bag and keeping it in my purse so I always have one available. 80% of the trash found in the world's oceans comes from land, so even though I don't live beside the ocean, I can still make a huge difference here on dry land!
I know it may not seem like a huge change, but even the smallest change can make a difference. The World Oceans Day theme this year is "Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planet" which emphasizes how connected the oceans are to the eco system. According to WorldOceansDay.org:
"The ocean is the heart of our planet. Like your heart pumping blood to every part of your body, the ocean connects people across the Earth, no matter where we live. The ocean regulates the climate, feeds millions of people every year, produces most of the oxygen we breathe, is the home to an incredible array of wildlife, provides us with important medicines, and so much more! In order to ensure the health and safety of our communities and future generations, it’s imperative that we take the responsibility to care for the ocean as it cares for us."
"Everyone’s health depends on a clean, productive ocean. During our celebration this year, we encourage our partners and friends to once again think about what actions each of us can take to safeguard vulnerable ocean communities. Please focus on whatever issues you think are most important for a healthy ocean future. On this site, you will find many resources about plastic pollution in particular. The ocean and its wildlife is choking on plastic, and we need to not only clean it up, but also stop this pollution."
This creepy, thrilling, and at times, a seductive tale told from the point of view of a stalker, You by Caroline Kepnes will leave you chilled to the bone. Nothing like spending the day inside the mind of a psychopath. Some people will not like this book, but it is as interesting and captivating as it is F---ed up! Why does it feel like somebody's watching me!? Did you read it? What do you think? Let me know in the comments! Check out the Sequel to You, titled Hidden Bodies!
World Environment Day: What is your Eco Friendly Routine
The environment is something that is very important to me and my fur family, and it is something that I try to promote on Paws For Reaction. Today is World Environment Day and what I love about this day is that everyone across the globe is sharing their love for the environment and what they do to preserve this beautiful green planet of ours. Today on Twitter I will be tweeting #MyEcoFriendlyRoutine on my personal twitter account @GonzoTheFacey with some of the things I do to recycle, promote a sustainable environment and battle climate change.
What are some of the things you do as part of your eco friendly routine? Please tweet me @GonzoTheFacey or @PawsForReaction and let me know! I can't wait to retweet all of your tips!!
Summer Reading List:Church of Marvels by Leslie Parry
This post contains affiliate links
I was inspired to pick up Church of Marvels by Leslie Parry because I read The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, and I was desperately craving something with that circus and carnival theme. Something magical and creepy. This book is very different, but just as engrossing. Plus it made it on the Lit Thursday list on Lenny Letter. Did you read it? What did you think? Let me know in the comments!
Product Review: Crofters Organic Jam is Ontario Made, NonGMO & is Saving Bees! It's time for a change...
Pool side Victoria Day with Hazel the Saint Bernese
Wishing you a Happy Victoria Day from Hazel!
Photo by www.ilmicrofono.it via Foter.com CC BY
Insider tips: How to get your dog or cat to take their medication You just got home from a visit with your veterinarian and in front of you are two things: Fluffy and a vial full of pills. Your vet has told you that if Fluffy is going to get healthy, she needs to take her medication. I know what you are thinking "She wont take that! I can't pill my pet!" You may be right- your pet may not want to willingly take a tablet. You may need to try a few times, or get creative. Not everyone nails it on the first try. Most pet owners will visit their veterinarian at least once a year, and occasionally have to give a dog or cat pill form medication. I have learned a trick or two from fellow pet owners and veterinary professionals. Here are some of my tips for a pet owner trying to give a dog or cat a pill.
Greta's Organic Gardens seeds
Shout out: Greta's Organic Gardens Hey Paws peeps, I want to give a shout out to Greta's Organic Gardens. I purchased my seed exclusively from Greta this year at the Ottawa Valley Seedy Sunday event. Greta's seeds are organic and non-GMO.
Every year we plant an eight foot vegetable garden and it grows very well here in Ontario, Canada. A lot of Greta's seed is heirloom seed, harvested locally by organic farmers and passed down from generation to generation. Our garden now belongs to that historical network of farmers who are trying to preserve our organic agriculture. For me, planting a garden is not just a way to save money at harvest time, it is also great for the environment and fights against large agribusiness farms and their unethical practices. Even a small garden in your backyard can make a positive impact the environment. Over the next few months as my garden sprouts and grows, I will be sharing with my readers some of the organic and non-GMO products I love, as well as some local food from farmers in our area. How does this relate to pets? Bettering our environment positively affects every aspect of our lives- including our pets!
Hazel helps out in the garden
Hazel on the way home, her leg extended straight out
Puppy pain management: 7 tips to help a dog in chronic pain
The poster and the politician: Alan Tobin "delighted" about breed specific restrictions at the dog park, Ireland
Pet parents are outraged. Councillor Alan Tobin is receiving serious backlash after posting his views on the new posters for the dog park that list restricted breeds. The County Councillor of Meath, Ashbourne in Ireland stated in his Facebook post that he is "delighted" to get the signs that he had asked for, and that is amazes him that "some people think these are ideal family pets."
Dogs on the list include American Bull Terrier, Bull Mastiff, Staffordshier Bull Terrier, German Shepherd, Japanese Akita, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Doberman Pinscher, Rottweiler, English Bull Terrier and Japanese Tosa. Most Facebook users are outraged, and the post has over 140, 000 shares and over 240, 000 comments. While most people are in opposition to Tobin's poster there are comments from people who agree with him. Breeds that bite has been a great debate among pet owners, most veterinary and canine research organizations take a similar stance on the breed bite: the main focus should be on responsible pet ownership, not breed.
Photos: Hiking trip with our Chihuahua friend Yoshi
Photo: May the Fourth be with you dog
Photo by Chris Pirillo Foter CC BY-NC-ND
#MayTheFourthBeWithYou #StarWars
#Adoptable #pets: Meet #cats Riley & Mango, looking for a forever home Mango and Riley need your help! These cats were rescued in Pembroke, Ontario where they are located right now in foster care. Once strays, these adorable boys want nothing more than to find a forever family! Mango and Riley are brothers and have had a hard time finding a new home because they need to be adopted together.
Photo: Happy Tongue Out Tuesday
Photo by hehaden via Foter.com CC BY NC
How to prevent fleas and ticks from biting your pet because #NoBiteIsRight
This post is sponsored by No Bite is RIght and the BlogPaws® Pet Influencer NetworkTM. I am being compensated to help create awareness about Summer Safety and Protecting Pets against fleas and ticks but Paws For Reaction only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Paws For Reaction is responsible for the contents and not the sponsors mentioned above.
I remember when Keira got her first tick. It was three years ago. I couldn’t believe I had missed it. It was right on the top of her head! I totally freaked out! It was a fully engorged, disgusting Brown Dog Tick. My veterinarian recommended I wait six weeks, and then bring Keira in for her annual Heartworm and Lyme test. It was an agonizing six weeks. I was relieved when she tested negative for Lyme disease, but I couldn’t believe she even had a tick in the first place. Are there really ticks in the Ottawa Valley? How can I prevent ticks from biting my dogs?
Throwback Thursday
Hazel is on her way home for the first time! We took a pee break on the car ride home.
I hope everyone is having a great Easter weekend! Don’t
forget to check out the Paws For Reaction EasterHeadquarters to read all the fun Easter themed posts and to see pictures of
adorable pets celebrating the holiday. Speaking of pets celebrating the holiday,
check out my Easter Mountain Dogs! Hazel and Keira played dress-up so they
could get their Easter treats- check out the photos below! Have a Happy Easter!
Photo by Sharon Taylor Photography of Kettering Foter.com CC BY-NC-ND
The Easter Bunny and more:Fun Easter facts Find out where the most famous rabbit came from, how Easter is celebrated around the world and so much more! These facts are full of candy, beautiful photos of rabbits, and the holiday spirit. Check out these Easter facts and have a Happy Easter!
Happy National Puppy Day!
With #Easter just around the corner, many pet owners are wondering: Are #eggs good for #pets?
Photo by Frank Roche Foter.com CC BY-NC
Seedy Sunday: Local event promotes seed saving and local products
Happy International Polar Bear Day! Take the #ThermostatChallenge
It is
perfect polar bear weather here in snowy Ontario! February 27 is International Polar Bear Day
and this is such an important day because it’s about so much more than these
beautiful bears. Climate Change is destroying these animals’ habitats and
glaciers are melting at a faster pace than ever recorded in history. These polar bears need our help.
Polar Bears International is asking everyone to take a
stand for International Polar Bear Day by taking the Thermostat Challenge to save energy
for polar bears. How do you take the Thermostat Challenge? I’ll let Polar Bears
International tell you how below:
“Turn
down the heat a degree or two and enjoyhygge, or winter
coziness, for polar bears- put on your fuzzy slippers and a comfy sweater,
light candles, sip a hot drink, or bundle up for a walk in the snow.
In summer, set your air-conditioning thermostat higher.
Install a programmable thermostat for year-round savings- and take additional energy-saving steps like insulating your home and weather-stripping windows and doors.
Show how you're taking part by posting photos on social media with #PolarBearDay, #ThermostatChallenge, and #Hygge. You can also share our special pre-made images!
Polar
Bears International also urges people to sign a petition for “A Fair Price for Carbon” explaining
that “we need to greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions to solve the problem
of climate change- a problem that extends beyond polar bears and the Arctic to
affect all wildlife and people, too.” According to their experts, the surest way
to achieve this is to set a fair price for carbon pollution.
The petition states that “by including the
true cost of carbon in the price we pay for fossil fuels, we can speed up the
transition to a renewable energy future. Not only will this reduce the
greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming, it will improve human
health, reduce pollution, and strengthen the economy at the same time.”
Fossil
fuels appear to be cheaper than they actually are and if the cost of fossil
fuels was truthfully reflected we would have no choice but to make a global
change to renewable energy. The renewable technology already exists but our
ability to use it on a global scale won’t happen if fossil fuels are so easily
attainable. I am signing the petition- will you? This International
Polar Bear Day reminds us how much we all rely on each other to survive on this
planet- and that we need to make a change for the future.
PAWS FOR REACTION is celebrating 13 years! Ottawa-based pet care and nutrition, environmental, and lifestyle blog- always searching for the best in pet care, eco-friendly products and fun local events! Come explore with Hazel, the Saint Bernese, as she lives her best, food-driven, outdoor-loving, asymmetrical, #DogLife
ABOUT ME: I have nine years of experience working in veterinary medicine. I'm a Climate Reality Project Leader and have spent years volunteering with organizations including OSPCA, Farley Foundation, Ontario Nature, Future Ground Network, and Girl Guides of Canada.
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