Tag Archives: #dogs

March Pet Holidays and Awareness

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March 2025 Pet Holidays and Awareness

Month

  • Poison Prevention Awareness Month.

Week-Long Holidays

  • March 2-8:  Pet Professional Pet Sitting Week
  • March 14-21: Pet Theft Awareness Week (UK).
  • March 16-22: National Animal Poison Prevention Week
  • March 24-30: Tick Bite Prevention Week.

One-Day Holidays

  • March 1: National Cat’s Day (Russia).
  • March 2: International Rescue Cat Day.
  • March 3: International Tripawd Awareness Day.
  • March 3: What if Cats & Dogs Had Opposable Thumbs Day.
  • March 13:K-9 Veterans Day.
  • March 14: Pet Theft Awareness Day(UK).
  • March 15: National Catio Day.
  • March 17: Saint Gertrude of Nivelles Day— patron saint of cats.
  • March 17: Saint Patrick’s Day
  • March 20: Dogs in Yellow Day.
  • March 23. Cuddly Kitten Day.
  • March 26: Purple Day for Epilepsy
  • March 28: Respect Your Cat Day.
  • March 30: Take a Walk in the Park Day.

Have a wonderful March Everyone

With a woof and love from

Nili

 

 

 

Happy Valentines Day

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Hello fur friends,

Today is Valentines Day or as Mom calls it chocolate day, and she told me she is going to spoil herself with chocolate. I am doing what my sister would have done and that is speak for all the shelter animals. But before I start Mom deserves to spoil herself today, so she is going to a Valentine Party with friends and I am staying at home. I think she deserves it although I will miss her.

Mom and I had a long chat this week about Valentines Day, the same as she had every year with my sister Layla and how I do not need anything as I am a spoiled brat but how the animals in shelters need to be loved also so we decided to put a package together of goodies and we going to drop it off at one of the shelters.

Those animals do not deserve to be in shelters but in warm homes with lots of love, but we humans are to blame for that so as Mom says those caring humans who are speaking out for them must make sure also that they are spoiled on Valentine’s Day with love.

We are asking all our fur friends to please go to a shelter and donate food, treats or toys so that the animals can feel special love also. What could be better than seeing the smile of a dog or cat being spoiled like we are, it is a blessing.

I have a question? Who wants to be my Valentine?

 

 

 

We must not forget also today is a very important day for us, it is Pet Theft Awareness Day, something Mom cannot understand as we should be protected from those horrible thieves so it is so important to keep an eye on us at all times plus of course make sure our microchips are up to date so we can be found.

Happy Valentines Day everyone, make sure you spoil your mom or Dad with lots of licks and being good,

With woofs and love from Nili

 

 

February 2025 Pet Holidays and Observances 

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February 2025 Pet Holidays and Observances 

February is Black Dog Awareness Month, Nili, that is why Mom adopted my sister Layla and then me

Month

  • Beat the Heat Month.
  • Black Dog and Cat Syndrome Awareness Month.
  • Dog Training Education Month
  • Feline Fix by Five Month.
  • National Cat Health Month.
  • National Prevent a Litter Month.
  • Spay/Neuter Awareness Month.(Humane Society of the United States)
  • Pet Dental Month
  • Responsible Pet Owners Month.

 

Week

  • 7-14: Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week.
  • 16-22: National Justice for Animals Week

 

One-Day

  • 2: Sled Dog Day
  • 2: National Brown Dog Day.
  • 3: Doggy Date Night
  • 5: World Animal Reiki Day
  • 12: Safety Pup Day.
  • 14: Pet Theft Awareness Day.
  • 14. Valentine’s Day
  • 20:National Love your Pet Day (which is every day)
  • 22: Marie Day. Designated by Walt Disney Japan, this day celebrates Marie of TheAristoCats!
  • 22: Walking the Dog Day.
  • 23: International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day and National Dog Biscuit Day.
  • 25: World Spay Day.  Very Important Day

 

Have a pawsome February friends,

With love and woofs from Nili

 

 

 

January 2025 Pet Holidays and Observances

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January has arrived, a new year, new calendar of holidays and observances, let’s get started.

Nili reading the list to you so you don’t forget LOL

 

What I love about this month is that for all new dog parents this month is dedicated to training and walking your new dog.

Month

  • Unchain a Dog Month.
  • Walk your dog month
  • National Train Your Dog Month 

Day

  • 2: National Pet Travel Safety Day.
  • 2: Happy Mew Year for Cats Day.
  • 6: National Standard Poodle Day.

Jan. 13: Dress up your pet day

  • 19: National Conservation Dog Day.
  • 22: National Answer Your Cat’s Question Day.
  • 24: Change a Pet’s Life Day.
  • 24: Peanut Butter Day.  Dedicated to all the yummy peanut butter treats for dogs.
  • 29: Seeing Eye Dog Anniversary
  • 29: Tuxedo Cat Appreciation Day.

 

Have a safe January everyone

With a woof and love from Nili

 

The holidays have arrived

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Happy Holidays Everyone, this is my first holiday without Layla, she is sorely missed but I know she is at peace today. Nili is part of my life today but I think of her daily especially with the Holidays here.

Next week we celebrate Hanukkah and this year it falls on the same day as Christmas. For Nili it will be her first with me and I plan to make it very special. She already got her Christmas presents and her Hanukkah present she will get on Hanukkah. We celebrate Hanukkah for eight days so I am going to do the way I did with Layla, give her something new or extra yum every day. For those of you that do not know Hanukkah is the festival of lights and we light a candle each night till our Hanukiah has all 8 candles lit.  The story about Hanukkah in short is that the Maccabees found oil for one day, but it lasted for eight days and that is why we light the eight candles.

The lit Hanukkiot at the party last week

Hanukkah Sameach Everyone with love from Nili

Nili killed her Hanukkiah BOL

Another tradition is to eat oily food, so we eat Sufganiyot (Hebrew for Jelly Donuts) and latkes (potato pancakes) so I am going to share with you the latke recipe I used to make for Layla but I have adapted it this year using oat flour instead of regular flour. See the recipe below, they are very healthy and I bake them as it so much healthier thank frying for the dog.

One of my favorite memories of Layla, eating a latke from a Dreidel (spinning top) plate, we play them at Hanukkah

I have switched to Oat Flour instead of regular flour

I have another Hanukkah party today which I am looking forward to, am going to get fat LOL the rate this is going as I over ate at the one I went to last Sunday and am sure am going to do it again today, oy vey I need to go back on diet.

We must not forget Christmas

Why peanuts ? Pets can choke on shelled peanuts

 

With all the happiness going on we must not forget the pets in shelters as they deserve the love and warm home our lucky pets. January is one of the worst months in shelters as they will be overflowing with pets that have been dumped for a new puppy or have got lost. I am once again saying those that dump their pets should be blacklisted so they cannot have another pet.

On this note I want to wish everyone Happy Holidays, please be safe and remember not to drink and drive as your fur kids are waiting at home for you.

One of my special memories of Layla

 

With love, licks and woofs

From Nili xxx

 

 

 

 

December 5 is Celebrate Shelter Pets Day

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TGIF! The weekend has arrived and today, Thursday we celebrated Shelter Pets Day. As the mom of a rescued dog, and only having rescued all my life, a Mutt lover, today is a very important day for so many reasons. It is a day dedicated to pets that were originally from the shelter and pets that are still in the shelter.

Millions of cats, dogs, and other animals enter shelters annually, through no fault of their own. Because they were abandoned, surrendered, or lost, these pets deserve a second chance at life in a loving home. Celebrating Shelter Pets Day shines a spotlight on the remarkable companionship and unconditional love these animals can bring us.

Adopting a shelter pet transforms the life of an animal but also changes the lives of the adopters, enriching our lives and making us better people, helping some combat loneliness, health issues and so much more.

My first rescued dog was when I was a child, his name was Caesar, a big goofy mutt who we had to rehome when we left South Africa. Then we found Whiskey on the streets in Israel, this was the days before microchips, and she came to live with us and when we went back to South Africa she came with us and lived a good life till the age of 14.

I then went back to Israel and rescued 3 cats, Sasha, Shula and Pichevkes, they all lived long good lives with me each passing a year in between. My late father used to call me the Crazy Cat Lady and that was the days before internet.

Since in the States I rescued Baby, who ran with me from the Domestic Violence Relationship and when we were free and living in our own home, she unfortunately got IMHA and passed away within 48 hours. I waited 3 months in January 2011 I rescued Layla and the rest is history. Layla taught me so much that opened my eyes to the problem of shelters being overcrowded with Shelter Pets, which breaks my heart. When Layla passed away in May without even hesitation I in July rescued Nili  who is settling beautifully and my new fur kid.

My beautiful Baby

 

Layla in the shelter

Nili in her cage in the shelter

Why celebrate today, we must celebrate the lucky pets that have found homes, the shelters and rescues that give the pets a second chance at love, they deserve awards for the amazing and tireless work they do

How can we celebrate daily:

  1. Adopt a Pet
  2. Supporting a Shelter
  3. Share a story
  4. Foster a Pet
  5. Advocate for adoption

Now you all know why I am against Breeders and Puppy Mills, there are so many beautiful pets in shelters waiting for homes, and we must speak out for them as they do not have a voice.

Have a wonderful weekend and please be safe

Nili and her mom

 

 

 

 

Coconut Oil for Dogs with Nili approval

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Good Morning Friends, this is Nili here as I am learning to review for Mom like my sister Layla the expert did, I hope she approves.

I recently took Nili for a checkup at the vet as she has been scratching badly and the vet suggested I give her coconut oil. This intrigued me as my one vet had told me negative things about coconut oil and this vet is saying the opposite. So, I decided to do some research and as to why one vet said one thing and another the opposite and came up with some interesting facts which made me realize how important coconut oil can be for pets. Before trying  please ask your vet as rather be safe than sorry as some supplements might have the opposite affect on your dog.

I want to thank Charisa from CocoTherapy for helping me with all the information that I am sharing plus the products that I am trying with Nili.

The benefits:

  1. In small quantities it is good for the pet as it is good fat which is important to remember when we worry about cholesterol in our pets. Coconut oil is considered a low cholesterol fat and does not increase cholesterol levels.
  2. You can read more about it on this link : A Beginner’s Guide to Cholesterol
    https://www.cocotherapy.com/blogs/blog/a-beginners-guide-to-cholesterol?_pos=1&_psq=cholesterol&_ss=e&_v=1.0
  3. Coconut oil has lauric acid which has antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.  which is good for the fur and skin. When applied to the skin it can help soothe the inflamed area.
  4. Coconut oil is lower in calories than many other cooking oils, and it’s actually an effective weight loss aid. The MCTs in coconut oil are metabolized quickly and used for energy, rather than being stored as fat. This helps boost metabolism and aids in weight management. What’s more, coconut oil can help suppress appetite. All fats slow down the emptying of the stomach, helping you feel full for longer, but studies have shown that MCTs have a greater satiating effect than LCTs. This means that coconut oil can help your pet feel fuller for longer and prevent them from overeating.
  5. It helps fight bad breath, mouth and gum health.
  6. It also helps digestions but like any supplement ask your vet first.
  7. Here is some more information: Coconut Oil Myths and Facts
    https://www.cocotherapy.com/blogs/blog/coconut-oil-myths-and-facts?_pos=4&_psq=cholesterol&_ss=e&_v=1.0

I am doing this coconut oil blog in two episodes as I am reviewing different products from them but what I have tried with Nili at this moment I have seen a big difference in her, she is scratching less so her skin issues seem to be clearing up, she is eating less which is great as she needs to lose 2 lbs plus I love their treat gems which are kibble size so she is getting one each time she is good and gobbles them up plus they fit in here kong which she is addicted to. She also got a coconut squeaky toy which she loves squeaking nonstop BOL.

It is always fun to get a coconut squeaky toy squeak squeak squeak

The products Nili has tried and approved are :

Coconut Chips – Dehydrated Organic Coconut – No added preservatives, dyes, bleaches sugar or salt. Rich in Fibre, Supports Digestive System (I am sprinkling it on her food, and she loves it)

These are yummy sprinkled on my food

Coco-Gems – Peppermint, Parsley and Coconut – Supports Fresh Breath and Oral Health – Nili approves

My breath smells good when I eat these

Coco-Gems – Cranberry and Coconut – Supports Urinary Tract Health – Nili approves

I will keep pawing the package till I get more

Coco Charms – Blueberry Cobbler – Nili approves

These are so so yummm

Gems and Charms are all Gluten Free and Grain Free, made with 100% USDA certified organic, human-grade ingredients too.

You can read more about their products on this link : https://www.cocotherapy.com/

So now that Nili is getting coconut, she wants to go to Hawaii BOL. Thank you Coco Therapy for sponsoring this review and sharing your products as I am so happy with them I am smiling.

To all our friends in Florida, we hope you are safe as we are thinking of you

Have a safe weekend, with love and woof from Nili

 

 

What a week

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TGIF!! It is finally the weekend, and I really need it, Nili the energizer bunny does not slow down from morning to night. I love her to death, and she is so busy, it is cute but exhausting LOL.

Last weekend Gidget came to spend two days with us, one night. I have been dog sitting Gidget for over four years, I know her quirks, her naughtiness and I adore her but last weekend was a nightmare. Gidget did not like Nili and they fought nonstop. I did not sleep as I was worried they would fight during the night. Gidget guarded my bed and would not let Nili on it, and if she did get on the bed there was a lot of growling so I would lie between the two of them to keep peace, Nili was just as much to blame in someways as she would bounce around on the floor, barking at Gidget wanting to play and it was not happening. To cut a long story short, my arms are blue with bruises, wounds here and there, and I concluded that there will never be a friendship between these two. Nili is ok with Nigel spending time in my house, so it was not the first time I had a doggy visitor in the house. It was a lesson for me also and something that I must work on with Nili.

The first hour when they lay on the bed together before all hell broke out

Nili met with a trainer on Monday, I learnt to use the command circle when she sees another dog with a treat in my hand and it is slowly working phew, the other command was touch which makes her smell my hand where there is a treat to get her to focus on my hand and not let her get distracted which is slowly working and she now does not try jump and run after people, skateboards, or cyclists.   It is a work in progress and hopefully soon walking will be fun. She must learn to stop playing tug of war with her leash when I put her harness on which I am working on also. Nili is a clever girl, the trainer said it to me, but she knows how to manipulate me also LOL and I have to not let that happen. It is like any relationship we work together to get that happy balance and that is what I am working on.

Focusing on my trainer for a treat, Nili

After the meeting we went to my friend’s garden to hang out and relax in the sun, it actually was so hot we moved into the shade, but it was great to just sit back, relax and enjoy the outdoors. The plus with the garden is Nili can run freely about sniffing and exploring with no worries as she cannot get out. She was one happy tired girl when we got home but it was just what the doctor needed, she napped all afternoon LOL.

Relaxing in the shade in the garden

She met on the way home a cute little dog that looks like her and they tried playing but both were on leash but it was cute and relaxed me in the way that she does want to play but little fluffy dogs are the answer so I cannot wait for her to be ready for a Shi Tzu meet up where she will have fun. I am wondering if she is afraid of big dogs as being a stray something could have happened in her past.

Nili meeting Levi

I also got dental chews this week for her as I am trying to keep her teeth pearly white the way they are now so before bed at night she gets one and that is her last treat for the night, she loves them which is great as I know she is going to sleep with clean teeth.

So life has been busy, am out and about when I have to go, I am leaving her at home till she is fully trained, she loves her squeaky toys and keeps herself busy when I am not at home and how I know is all the toys on the floor LOL, I also got her a Kong which I stuff with carrots and she cannot get enough of that so am happy that she is happy plus of course the window watch which she loves.

 

 

And we must not forget, August is Empty the Shelters month and we need to keep speaking out for the shelter dogs and help them get homes, especially as the shelters are overflowing and so many are needing homes.

 

Before Nili goes to bed, we want to say a special thank you shout out to Anne from us for introducing Nili to everyone, we are truly honored, you can read about it on her blog on this link : https://zoolatry.blogspot.com/2024/08/nili-our-friend.html

 

Have a wonderful weekend everyone, thank you for dropping by to say hi, hug your fur kids tight

With woof and love

Nili

 

 

 

 

Carrying on her legacy

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Woof hello friends,

Two weeks ago, I took Layla for her last adventure to spread her ashes in a place that she loved to go to in her younger years, where she wandered around, sniffing all the smells and barking at the ducks in the lake.

I went with Alice, one of my closest friends who we used to do adventures with, visiting the different lakes in the Bay Area, so this was the last adventure for the three of us, we sat at the lake with a picnic and then I went towards the lake and spread her ashes. It was hard, sad but I knew in my heart it was the best thing to do as she is now back in nature, barking at the ducks and turtles and at peace, not as I felt stuck in a box on my shelf. Pine Lake in Stern Grove for me is like heaven, just beautiful, natural and quiet which is what I wanted for her. However hard it was for me, I am now finally at peace, moving forward with a more positive attitude and finally taking care of me.

Pine Lake

The Duck welcoming Layla

I have been going out more, lunch with friends, a jazz concert in a park, and much more but I must admit I find it hard without pushing her in the stroller which is something I am slowly getting used to. Her strollers I have donated to Muttville Senior Dog Rescue and her other things I am going through slowly at my own pace.

As I vowed, I would do is carry on her legacy and this week I am going to talk about fireworks, as the 4th of July is around the corner. I personally hate fireworks and feel the money could be given to nonprofit organizations who are struggling, rescue organizations and so much more instead of burning the money.

The fireworks scare the wild animals that many flee in fear and get injured or killed by cars, our pets who sit in our houses shivering from fear, the Vets that suffer from PTSD and so many more.

I think it is unfair to all those that are afraid and disrespectful especially when you live in a city and people  just stand in the streets shooting them off and our apartments are shaking from all the noise. I used to have my TV on the Jazz Station loud during the night to disguise the bangs as much as possible, I would make Layla a bed in the shower with her water, toys and food and put her in there where she felt safe and secure, cover her with a blanket and let her stay there all night with me checking on her every 30 minutes.  What I did give her was the Relax Calming Chews from Real Mushrooms which helped a lot and actually once calm she would fall asleep and sleep through it all, these chews were a blessing in disguise as they kept her calm and relaxed especially as she got older.

So to help other pet parents we are doing a give away for a bottle of  chews to help your pet. They are for both cats and dogs so everyone can enter to ease the stress and anxiety from the fireworks.

What are they :

I have been sponsored by Real Mushrooms for this giveaway.

You can read more about them on their website where you have a 10% discount with coupon LaylasWoof.

https://shop.realmushrooms.com/?ref=488

To enter go to the link below and fill in all that is asked from you.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/baa88aa67/?

 

This Giveaway is for the USA only and you must be over 18 years old to enter.

 

Good luck to everyone, you enter you will have a calm pet in the house.

 

With a woof and love

From Layla’s Mom

 

 

 

 

The week is over.

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Woof hello my friends,

The week is over, and the weekend has arrived.  I told Mom it is not allowed to rain as I need my weekly bark in the park.

This week has been crazy in my house. Gidget has been coming daily to spend the days with me, so I am not alone when Mom runs around doing shopping and errands, so we have been very busy. Poor Mom is so tired, but I must admit she does not forget me however tired she is.

Last Saturday the sun came out for some hours, it was chilly, but we bundled up and Mom took me to my favorite lawn, which was very muddy that the chair sunk into the ground BOL, but was great to be out, smell the bay air and of course I barked, sniffed and wandered around like I enjoy doing. It is good exercise for me and when we came home, I crawled into my bed and slept, which made Mom happy as she managed to take an afternoon nap till I woke her up to potty.

A quick bark was necessary as without it I do not feel I have been down to the Bay. See the video below.

https://youtube.com/shorts/YRvaD9qx4cw?si=vrMV4BJTPzHoYILy

On Valentines Day we went to a Valentines Party, it was lots of fun for Mom and I am happy she enjoyed herself as I just slept BOL in my stroller comfortably although I did not get lots of treats as always. Mom won a Trivia game and came home with a 2lb bag of her favorite coffee so she is really happy. There was lots of food, candies and people and of course lots of laughter, which Mom says is important as it is the best medicine as we forget our worries when laughing. It was pouring when we left but I wanted to walk or, as Mom says swim, so we took the bus home, got off one stop after ours and swam home. We got really wet but it was great walking although I do not like the rain that much. When we got home Mom walked Gidget, then dried us all off and we all relaxed happily.

I got two roses at the party, aren’t they pretty

So as you can all read, life is busy in our neighborhood, never a dull moment and although we are tired this weekend and relieved it is weekend, I am hoping I can go to my lawn for a bark, although Mom has already told me they are expecting major storms and lots of rain so I think we are going to be stuck inside. To keep me happy Mom has made me my favorite dehydrated fish treats for my snuffle toys so I will be occupied. You can see videos of me playing with them. The caterpillar one is hard but hey it keeps me busy and finding the treats is the best.

https://youtu.be/bPYYB0XN-Fs?si=X-CEsW5QQsMAwBN7

https://youtube.com/shorts/6vRoezK_GFA?si=kQ2SA43Zo1nlq01b

Stay warm and safe everyone, I need my beauty sleep now so am barking to Mom to stop typing, I am the Boss.

With a woof and love from Layla