October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

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TGIF !!!!

October has arrived and with it the Month of Domestic Violence Awareness. This is a topic that is very close to my heart as I am a lucky survivor.

I am one of the lucky ones that managed to get away with my little dog, hid at a friend and then moved to a new city where we were both helped.  If I had left her I know my ex would have carried on abusing her so the minute I could we ran.

Baby since has passed away, but she was my inspiration, my hero, my trooper and my lifeline through those dark days, and when she passed from IMHA, was when I was finally in my own home so she knew I was safe, and could then open my doors to a new pup, and Layla arrived to live with me.  Layla wears a tag that says: Shelter Survivor which speaks for both of us.

Today I am not going to talk about me, but “The Power and Control Wheel” of Animal Abuse and Domestic Violence. This gives us a better understanding as to what happens behind closed doors, and why so many victims stay in the relationships.

An abuser will want to control everything, and if he or she does not have that, we, the humans, kids or pets become the victims of his or her anger, although he/she will never admit it.

So when people reach out and talk about wanting to leave a Domestic Violence relationship but cannot leave their pets, these are some of the reasons and I from experience would have rather carried on suffering the abuse to make sure Baby was safe, than left her in a house where she would suffer.

Pets do not understand abuse the way we do and they should not have to suffer at the hands of an abuser of any kind as they give us the unconditional love and loyalty that unfortunately humans do not do.

October is also the National Month of Adopt a Shelter Dog Month so reach out to a Shelter and give a dog a new home, as I always say about Layla – from pound to princess.

Be safe, have a wonderful week, with a woof of love from

Layla

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 2022 Pet Holdays

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October has arrived, weather is cooling down and winter is around the corner. Happy October Everyone

Month

  • Adopt a Dog Month
  • Black Cat National Awareness Month
  • National Animal Safety and Protection Month
  • National Pet Wellness Month
  • National Pitbull Awareness Month
  • Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Week

  • Oct. 2-8:  National Walk your Dog Week (It should be everyday of the year)
  • Oct. 2-8:  Animal Welfare Week
  • Oct. 16-22: National Veterinary Technician Week

Day

  • 1 Oct.: National Fire Pup Day
  • 1 Oct : National Black Dog Day – Black dogs are hard to get adopted so we need to speak up for them
  • 2 Oct. : Poodle Day
  • 4: Oct. World Animal Day – We must speak up for them to save them
  • 4:Oct.  Kindness to Animals Day
  • 9: Oct. CatOber9thDay – To celebrate all the cats in shelters that we do not know when their birthdays are
  • 10. Oct. World Animal Road Accident Awareness Day
  • 12. Oct. National Pet Obesity Awareness Day
  • 15. Oct. National Fetch Day
  • 16. Global Cat Day – To remind people about the homeless cats that are needing homes
  • Oct. 21: National Pets for Veterans Day
  • Oct. 22:National Make a Dog’s Day.
  • Oct. 27: National Black Cat Day in the UK.
  • Oct. 28: Plush Animal Lovers Day.  For all those dogs that love unstuffing their plush toys LOL
  • Oct. 29: National Cat Day
  • Oct. 29: National Pitbull Awareness Day
  • Oct. 30: National Treat Your Pet Day – a special day for extra treats
  • Oct. 31: Halloween

Have a wonderful safe October everyone,

With a woof and love from Layla

 

 

 

Quality of Life

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TGIF!!! The weekend has arrived and with the weather still being warm I plan to go to the park as much as possible plus we are going to a dog event on Sunday.

Layla had her 6-month checkup last week where with the vet I discussed her quality of life as she is over 15 years old, in so many ways healthy but since her fall her anxiety has gone through the roof and she barks all the time. Her paw thank goodness has healed.

The vet replied to my answer like this which relaxed me a lot as I do not want her to suffer with age.

  1. She is eating and drinking – phew
  2. No accidents in the house – phew
  3. Her tail is wagging – phew
  4. Her heart and internal organs are all good – phew
  5. Barking (I had sent a video to the vet to see) – can be from anxiety and the start of Dementia. She prescribed Gabapentin which I have started giving her and she is now sleeping through the nights.
  6. During the day she gets a calming supplement which is working so she is a lot more relaxed now also which makes my life a lot easier. Vet approved.

So in a nutshell this is what my vet said: She is doing good, her quality of life is good and I should not think about it but focus on making memories, enjoying each day with her and keep her brain working all the time.

So, I have put that question on the shelf and enjoying each day as it comes as I am blessed to have her in my life.

My question this week is what are your thoughts of quality of life? I would love to hear from you,

Be safe everyone, our prayers and thoughts are with all those in Florida, both humans and animals.

Have a wonderful weekend,

With woof and love from Layla and Me

 

Remember Me Thursday

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Remember Me Thursday is a day to honor all pets who never found a loving home, I am one of the blessed Dog Moms to have found one (rescued from the Carlson Shelter).

It is a day when the world will share and discuss the importance of pet adoption, and shine a light on all orphan pets waiting in shelters and rescues. We all come from different countries, religions but one thing we all have in common is the fate of the pets in shelters so we need to be their voice.

One of the important ways of spreading the word around about Remember Me Thursday is to draw the attention to those wanting a pet and stop them from buying but instead adopting from a local shelter or rescue organization.

I do not believe in buying a pet, will not do and will fight against the Puppy Mills and other Breeders till all the shelters are empty and all the pets have homes. I have watched over the years how pet owners speak about rescuing but go out and buy for themselves a pure bred dog when they could be going to a pure bred rescue organization to adopt from instead. I thank goodness live in a city where pet stores are not allowed to sell pets but if I know of one, that one would not get my money.

How to get involved with this special day :

01. Find an event near you – there are events being held in California – Helen Woodward Animal Center in San Diego – their event is being held online this year via Zoom.

02. Hold a pet food donation event

03. Educate children about rescue and not buying from a breeder. (I as a teacher have taught all my pupils about rescue and taken some to rescue events)

04. And for me the most important one is to share all over social media to bring awareness to everyone.

05. Be the voice for the orphaned pets

So Layla is calling on everyone to adopt a pet, give them a home, so that they will be one of the lucky ones sleeping in a bed tonight and not in cold shelter with all the noise and stress around them.

We want to say a special thanks to Mike Arms, President and CEO of Helen Woodward Animal Center, for creating this day to draw the attention of the orphaned pets sitting in shelters and by lighting a candle will draw people to their fate of euthanasia.

So let us shine the light on all the orphan pets in all the shelters and rescues all over the world and help them find a home.

Thank you with a woof and love from
Layla

 

Are you prepared ?

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TGIF!!! Phew weekend has arrived and thank goodness the weather here is cooling down, San Francisco has had such a heatwave I thought we would melt, global warming is slowly starting to happen here and all over the world. Are we all prepared for these changes?

September is National Disaster Preparedness Month and what else will happen this month? Are we really prepared in our house for one? What do we really need? It worries me as I wonder what if I am not home when an earthquake happens. Will Layla be, ok? Do any of you think of this?

I recheck once a month our emergency bag but I then say will I have time to pick it up and run when an earthquake hits, is too heavy, have I overpacked, it might sound crazy but would rather be safe than sorry.

So this is emergency bag :

Water / flashlight / batteries / radio / change of clothing / food for Layla and me / her supplements and medications / poop bags / dog treats / blanket / toy for her / first aid kit / copies of documents / cash / usb drives of all my computer files / my beach canopy that I could use as a tent and other sentimental items of mine.  It sounds a lot, but I still wonder if it is enough. I also have a collapsible pet carrier to put her in so she will feel safe plus her backpack to carry her out of the house (although with her age she is not comfortable in it) but it is safe, and she does not walk on the sidewalks in case there is debris and could get hurt.

I also say that I can live off bread and water, but her food is extremely important.

So, when all these disasters hit us, and however much we are prepared we all lose material items which for me is as I say, something that can be replaced, but the lives of the animals and birds cannot so it is so important to do as much as possible to protect them.

On this note I am asking everyone to be safe and check your bags.

Most important our pets are family and should not be left behind to fend for themselves as you are serving them a death sentence.

Have a great safe week,

With a woof and love from Layla

 

 

 

 

September is National Responsible Dog Ownership Month

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TGIF !!!!!

Friday has arrived, it is a long weekend for relaxing and spending quality time with Layla and I am sure you will all be spending time with your families, Enjoy !!!!! Stay cool and make sure you all stay hydrated.

September is National Responsible Dog Owners Month,  which is a really important reminder for all of us who are dog parents.

The reason for this is to help us raise healthy happy dogs and it is a good reminder for all of us.

Some of the basics of responsible dog ownership include:

  1. Regular Vet Exams : Keeping them up to date on all their vaccinations
  2. Keeping them fit and not over weight. Feed them a healthy diet only and if possible no kibbles.
  3. Putting dog care in our monthly budget
  4. Making sure their microchip and tags are all up to date
  5. Keep your pets inside so that they do not suffer in summer or winter
  6. Spay or neuter your dogs as there are so many in shelters looking for homes.
  7. Be prepared for Natural Disasters
  8. Lots of love and playtime
  9. Spoil them rotten.

It is so easy to do the above as they are our fur kids and depend on us to live a healthy happy life.

Shnoozing in the park

What do you do to keep your dog happy?

Have a safe weekend

With a woof and love from Layla

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 2022 Pet Holidays

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September has arrived, Fall is around the corner and we must not forget the Pet Holidays of this month.

Days 

  • Sept. 1: Ginger Cat Appreciation Day
  • Sept. 5: Canine Enrichment Day.(UK)
  • Sept. 8: National Dog Walking Appreciation Day
  • Sept. 9: Happy Dog Day.(UK)
  • Sept. 11: National Pet Memorial Day
  • Sept. 11: National Hug your Dog Day

Sept. 13: Pet Birth Defect Awareness Day

  • Sept. 13: Scooby Doo Day
  • Sept. 17: Puppy Mill Awareness Day
  • Sept. 17: Responsible Dog Ownership Day
  • Sept. 18: Love Your Dog Groomer Day. (UK)
  • Sept. 22: Remember Me Thursday Day
  • Sept. 23: Dogs in Politics Day
  • Sept. 23: Adopted Dog Day.
  • Sept. 28: World Rabies Day
  • Sept. 30: National Puppy Mill Survivor Day.

Week

  • Sept. 18-24: National Dog Week
  • Sept. 18-24: National Deaf Dog Awareness Week
  • Sept. 19-25: Adopt A Less Adoptable Dog Week

Month 

  • Animal Pain Awareness Month
  • Happy Cat Month
  • National Disaster Preparedness Month
  • National Pet Insurance Month
  • National Service Dog Month
  • National Responsible Dog Ownership Month
  • World Animal Remembrance Month

September is also the Jewish New Year so we want to wish all our Jewish Friends a Happy New Year, Shana Tova

With Love from Layla

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today is a Special Day

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TGIF!! Friday is here and that means weekend, time to put our feet up and relax.

Layla is still hobbling around so have kept her on bed rest as much as possible this week and her energy level is going through the roof LOL but am doing my utmost to prevent her from walking. I have taken her to the park once or twice to get fresh air but she starts walking so I bring her home although she loves sleeping there LOL.

Wearing my granny jacket cos it was cold but zzzzzzzzz

I phoned my vet today to discuss with her what is happening, and she was so great and told me to relax as Layla is a senior and it could take time for her paw to heal and that I am doing well with what I am doing. We have put her on Galliprant for a week which is an anti-inflammatory and pain killer which hopefully will help her paw, but it is making her sleep LOL, phew.

Now why is today a special day?

Today is National Dog Day is recognized worldwide on August 26th annually. We celebrate all dogs and encourage adoption.

 

It is so important to encourage adoption as there are so many dogs in shelters waiting for homes. It hurts me so much to see all the rescues and shelters posting photos of dogs needing homes and breeders still breeding to make money, we need to put a stop to all breeders till shelters and rescues are empty. I understand there are people that want pure bred dogs BUT you can adopt one from a breed rescue organization or from a shelter as there are so many there.

 

So why we celebrate dogs lets turn today into a day of adoption and celebrate the freedom of those caged dogs who need homes.

 

On this note we are asking to spread the word, help emptying shelters and giving all beautiful dogs a home and freedom.

 

Stay safe everyone, have a wonderful weekend

With love and woofs

Layla

Never a dull moment

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TGIF and thank goodness the weekend has arrived, I need to put my feet up and relax and take it easy.

Never a dull moment in our house, Layla has been doing so well since she is on the Lions Mane Mushrooms (read more below) and yesterday she came bouncing out of the house when I got home, ran in the hallway and did not see the stairs, and the next thing I knew she was howling, she had fallen down the stairs.

I immediately ran down the stairs picked up, checked her and then brought her into the house, she was limping with her right paw in the air so I gave her some CBD oil to relax her and put her to bed. She ate well and drank but would not put her paw down so I took her to the vet today and they checked her. She has bruised her paw but otherwise very healthy for her age so am relieved now. She is on bed rest for the next two weeks and if it does not heal to bring her back in. Her walks are now stroller only and to take her out of the stroller to do her business. They also put her on Galliprant to help with the inflammation and pain but otherwise she can get CBD.

Now to Lions Mane Mushrooms from Real Mushrooms.

As you all know Layla is 15 years old, I with research felt she was starting Dementia and wanted to catch it to make her life easier. So, I found that Lions Mane helps so have started her on it, that is where I realized it was working as she had become a shell as such from the blindness and adding the Lions Mane, she is more alert, trotting along a lot better plus so much more. I swear by it and my vet said to me if it works in the East then it should work.

Signs that your dog might be starting CDS.

Below is a very interesting article I read from the company that I am buying the mushrooms from.

https://www.realmushrooms.com/lions-mane-for-dogs/

If you are interested in buying them for your dog or the other one that Layla is getting which is the 5 Defenders which is a mix of 5 mushrooms and really helping Madam, you have a discount code LaylasWoof for 10% off on all shopping.

The link for Real Mushrooms is :  https://shop.realmushrooms.com/

On this note, Madam is sleeping phew, so please everyone have a safe wonderful weekend,

Sleeping away zzzzzzz

 

With a woof and love from Layla

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keeping Your Senior Healthy

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TGIF!! The weekend has arrived and never mind Mom I am exhausted and need a rest.

Mom has been running around all week, nonstop, like an energizer bunny and she needs to put her feet up but hey I love keeping her busy.

On Wednesday Mom took me to the Eye Vet to have my eyes checked up.  They have found that I have now an ulcer on my right eye so have doubled my eye drops and hopefully all will be good. We have another appointment in 6 months’ time unless something happens before then.

As you all know I have a Jewish Mom that drives me nuts trying to keep me healthy and happy so she decided that I need a new dog food to add to my homecooked food so it would be very balanced and healthy. I sometimes worry that she will make me chicken soup and matza balls BOL.

So, as we love the Dr Harvey’s Foods Mom got me their new one, The Raw Vibrance as she got excited when she saw it has milk thistle, green lipped mussels and so much more and it takes the worry off her shoulders with me not getting a balanced diet with all the right supplements. The plus with eating Dr Harvey’s food is it Holistic, Chemical Free and made with organic ingredients. What could be healthier than that.

The ingredients in this food are Broccoli, Green Beans, Squash, Celery, Cabbage, Carrots, Crushed Eggshell, Spinach, Beets, Raw Goat’s Milk Powder, Apples, Blueberries, Bone Meal, Sesame Seeds, Chia Seeds, Shiitake Mushrooms, Green Lipped Mussel Powder, Ginger, Kelp, Parsley, Eggshell Memb 

I love this food and it is pink from the beets which is my favorite color so am gulping it down as quickly as possible when it is put in my bowl.  Mom also takes it to the park for me so I can have a picnic.

https://youtu.be/wI5BiznZBAs

Mom has also started making me treats with the food which she mixes with my homemade food and bakes it, then cuts it and puts it in my snuffle ball and it is yummy. I am a very lucky old girl here.

Home made dog treats with the dog food

So, because we love this food, and want to help everyone keep their babies healthy and happy, we have decided to do a giveaway for a bag of Raw Vibrance which one lucky winner will win.

We were sponsored by Dr. Harvey’s with a bag of this food. The giveaway is for the USA only and you must be over 18 to enter.

Below is the Rafflecopter link to enter:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/baa88aa62/?

And of course, if you want to check out Dr Harvey’s website this is the link – Your code for a discount is: Layla10. The great thing is you can order samples of his food to try on your dog before you buy a big bag.

https://www.drharveys.com/

I solemnly swear with my paws that your dog will be a happy healthy furkid.

Good luck everypawdy, with a woof and love from

Layla