May your day be cheery, with a strike of LUCK!

♥ Heather

When you stop to think about all of the things you're thankful for in your life, you realize how blessed you really are!

Gratitude is something we should all practice every day. It puts our minds and hearts in the right place to give and receive more blessings - it multiplies goodness in our lives and in the lives of those around us.

Our animals are thankful for the kind things we do for them, too! Many people are surprised to hear that animals feel the same emotions that we do, but it's true: they do!

So practice focused intentional thought and thank God above for all the blessings you have been given. I know my list runs for miles, even though I don't have much.

I'll tell you one thing on my list: you. I may never have met you, but if you're reading this, my words were worth...

With Halloween fast approaching, people find it hard to resist dressing up their pets - whether the animal is ok with it or not!

While it seems cute and all in good fun, please stop to consider the emotional well-being of the animal. Some dogs are ok with being dressed up, while most cats are not.

Just like a head halter or harness, you must acclimate your pet to the feeling of wearing a costume.

Sadly, uninformed pet parents may take their dogs out on the streets while wearing an embarrassing costume; this can lead to dog fights and bites!

It is vital that people understand the signals our pets give us - they are constantly trying to communicate with us via body language. Please take a look at my previous post about understanding dog body language.

Take a look at this photo of Jasper,...

See how I got my dog to sit at a candlelit dinner with me and get some great ideas for your own doggy photo shoot. National Dress up Your Pet Day is January 14th 2021. Dog photography is a great bonding experience for you and your dog!

I had a lot of fun taking all of these pictures with my dog, Jasper! He looks so cute in a tie, does he not? Drop by on YouTube and give my video a "like" - it really helps me out a lot. Thank you!

Do NOT light a candle in front of your dog. This dog is highly trained for this trick.

 Enjoy, and remember to create lasting memories every day!

♥ Heather

Are you feeling anything less than optimistic? Then I have some words to pick you up :)

2019 was far from great. I told myself “2020 will be my best year yet!” with much enthusiasm. Well… as far as events go, this hasn’t been a great year, but for my self-development and healing – it has! I’ve learned so much about myself and others. I’ve met some true, TRUE, friends – the kind I’ve always dreamed of.

2020 may not have been my “best year yet”, but it has been the best year I’ve had in a while (and the best is yet to come!). That should be our goal for every year that follows – to be our best year yet! You see, it’s not about what happens in the world around us that determines whether we have a good...

Hello Pet Lovers!

I wish you the very best of what Christmas brings - hope, new life, and many blessings! Remember - Jesus is the reason for the season! I'll see you in the new year!

Remember to keep your holiday treats out of reach from your pets. Enjoy time with your family and spread the cheer and joy this season brings! Be a light!

Love,

Heather

The season of giving has come again! (Honestly, we should be giving year-round :)

You may be wondering what to give some of the people on your list... especially the animal fanatics!

Well I may have some solutions for you on this page...

(The links below are affiliate links, which means I get a commission if you buy from these links. I work very hard to bring you free pet training tips and advice, so please consider using my links if you're going to buy from these companies. Thank you!)

Woof Blankets turns your cat or dog's photo into a piece of art and prints it on a blanket! This will make a great keepsake gift that will be cherished by your loved one for years to come!

Give the gift of a Woof Blankets customized, hand-drawn blanket or custom canvas art piece featuring...

"(Doorbell) - Trick or Treat!" Your dog runs behind the sofa and barks, hackles raised... does this scene sound familiar?

How about Fido quivering under the bed?

If your dog has similar reactions to trick-or-treaters, I have some helpful advice. Let's dig in:

• Give your dog calming supplements starting a few days prior to Halloween.
• Give your dog plenty of exercise the day prior and the day of the festivities. This will release any pent-up anxiety and help your dog be more calm when the trick-or-treaters come out.
• Make sure your dog's collar and tags are on well before the festivities, in the event he or she were to escape the house.
• Give your dog at least two durable, food-filled toys to chew on to keep her mind off of all else once the festivities begin.
• Close...

Should People Dress Up Pets for Halloween?

Sure, it's cute, but have you thought about how they feel about it?

I think dressing up a pet who has been trained to accept wearing things using positive reinforcement (praise & positive associations) is acceptable for photo ops, as long as they're not showing any signs of stress or humiliation.

For animals, playing "dress up" is very unnatural and uncomfortable. We must take caution and look out for their mental and emotional well-being.

Dressing up certain animals with aggressive tendencies can exacerbate the problem, as stress causes these animals to snap.

Dressing up shy or fearful animals can make their anxiety worse.

Taking any dog out in public while wearing a costume can cause major communication problems. What I mean is,...