Summer Safety Tips 

Now that summer is upon us and the beach days grow closer, I want to share with you a few summer safety tips about going to the beach.

As you can see from the picture, I already had my first beach day this May with my three boys. It was a blast and will be the first of many fun beach days this summer. I am currently working on my 6th book, due out in 2009, and beach days are a great break from writing to take the boys and have a fun safe beach day.

When going on a full-day outing with your dog or dogs there are a few things you want to remember, so that you all have fun and no one gets sick or hurt:

1. Always bring an umbrella for shade for you and your dogs.
2. It is always a great idea to have a travel first aid kit with you at all times, because you never know when a bee or something else may sting your dog, and if you quickly put some baking soda paste on that you may be able to still save your day. Also have some Benadryl on hand, too.
   
3. Bring fresh water and a clean bowl – you do not want your dogs drinking salt water, as it will make them sick and dehydrated. If they get too much salt water in their system, don’t be surprised if they throw up.
4. Bring sun screen for both you and your dogs. Your dogs get sunburned just like we do (especially their noises) so use a baby non-toxic sunscreen.
   
5. Bring plenty of clean, dry towels, as you do not want them to catch a chill. They can catch a chill when they get out of the water on even the hottest days, so be sure to towel-dry them well.
   
6. When walking on the beach, remember the sand can get hot on their paws so keep them off the hot sand. Try to walk close to the water where the sand is cool and packed down. It is easier for both of you and that way they will not get too tired out or too stiff, especially if this is the first of many beach days.
   
7. Remember that dog need to build their stamina up and get fit again from a long winter of lying on the couch.
8. Do not feed them any food at the beach. With the sun, swimming and all the running; food will only add to an upset stomach.
   
9. When you get home be sure to wash all the sand and salt water out of their hair and be sure they have cooled down and calmed down before feeding them.
   
10. As you are washing them, be sure to carefully check their paws for any sharp objects that may have lodged there.
    
11. REMEMBER TO HAVE FUN!!

Audio Pet Tips

Right Click on an Audio Tip and Choose Save As to Download Or Click to Listen.

More Pet Tips

How To Cool Your Pet Down Quickly

• Important Signs to Recognize When Your Pet Is Getting Overheated:   Dogs and cats do not sweat like us, they pant to cool themselves off. If they get too hot you must step in and help. 
  
• Watch Their Tongue. If it becomes swollen and hanging out, it's time to take action. 
  
• Take Your Pet To Water. Put them in a cool bath or take the garden hose and run cool water under their belly to cool them off fast. 
  
• Use Alcohol On A Cotton Pad To Wipe Down Their Paws. This will help cool them down fast. Do not use alcohol on their body!!! 
• Offer Them Water. If a dog or cat is too hot, they will not drink so this is where I will use a Pupsicle, to invite them to drink. Please be sure to wet them down at the same time. (If they are overheated they need all the help you can give them). 
  
• If Your Pet Is Not Getting Cooler. It may be time to call your vet and take them in.
• Never Leave Your Pet In The Car. A car heats up 10 times hotter than the air outside—and can be disastrous for your pet.

Toxic Foods
 from OptimumChoices.com

Xylitol is  the newest toxic food on our list. Any gum or candy artificially
sweetened  with Xylitol are toxic to pets.

Onions and  onion powder is one of the most hidden toxic foods to pets.
Onions can cause hemolytic anemia in animals because it causes new red blood cells to be deformed and unusable by the body. Symptoms can include fever, vomiting,  weakness and collapse. There are onions and onion powder in a wide variety of processed foods such as baby food, ketchup, soup, lunch meat and hot dogs, just to name a few. Beware of feeding hot dogs, sausages and even lunch meat to pets.

The New Way To Walk Your Dog & Get Fit At The Same Time!

Walking our dogs can be great exercise for us and our dogs. It is not often I really recommend products for us pertaining to walking with our dogs. But today I have found a great walking shoe/FitFlops®

That not only is great to walk in but if offers us to help get fit while walking our dogs.

Here are a few of the benefits to walking our dogs while wearing the FitFlops®.

1. FitFlops® give you a workout while you walk. FitFlops midsoles incorporate patent-pending micro-wobbleboardTM technology, to give you a workout while you walk. Developed by doctors at London's South Bank University, the Fit Flop’s® unique safely tapered midsole places varying densities of EVA under your feet each time you step, to challenge the support and balance muscles of the foot and leg.

2. They challenge hard to reach muscles more. FitFlops® are engineered with a multi-density midsole that stimulates your muscles more while you're wearing them. In independent University testing, FitFlops® have been shown to trigger ®increase gluteal muscle response, increased hamstring response, increase rectus femoris (thigh) response and increased calf muscle response.

3. Every step you take in your FitFlops® helps tone and trim your legs. University studies have shown that the FitFlops midsole extend the amount of time that the slow twitch* muscles are engaged during each step (by approximately 10-12%). So just by wearing a pair of FitFlops® you'll get more exercise while doing just exactly what you're normally doing. (*slow twitch muscles produce energy by converting fats into energy aerobically)

4. FitFlops® work your bum muscles more. FitFlops® have been clinically proven to increase the amount of time that the gluteus maximums muscle is 'activated' during every single step.

5. FitFlops® have been shown to have a significant effect on the toning muscles of your thighs. The rectus femoris muscle (one of the large muscles in the group of muscles in your thigh) is activated for a longer period of time while walking in FitFlops® than while normally shod or barefoot.

6. Walking in FitFlops® is like walking barefoot, but a little bit better. According to a University study, the FitFlop® wearer's gait is very similar to that of a barefoot walker, but the added cushion provided by the EVA midsole helps reduce joint strain and absorb shock. In fact, several FitFlop wearers have already reported relief from back pain after a few days of wearing them.

7. FitFlops® make it easier to stay in shape. Just throw them on while you're running errands, walking to work, or working around your house. Most first-time FitFlop® wearers report feeling their muscles working more, while 'fitter' wearers feedback has been more toward great comfort and cushion. One woman reported feeling like she'd had a 'bum-blasting' workout after a half an hour of FitFlop-shod walking.

I have now been wearing my FitFlops® for two weeks and the difference in my whole legs is wonderful!! I just love these
“Flip Flops®” and to think I can now walk the “Boys” and shape my legs and behind.. It is just too good not to share with you.

Please know individual results for each person but if you should go to the site  www.soleprovisionsshop.com the studies done on these shoes are very impressive. Also remember if you are going to order a pair of FitFlops® Be, sure to let them know Wendy Nan Rees has sent you and I am working with them now to see what type of deal we can work out for all of you. Pictures of  Wendy with the boys out walking coming this week. We had a blast and as soon as they send us the pictures we will put them up for all of you to see. I just love my new FitFlops® and hope you will also,it gives me great pleasure to know I am walking the boys while doing some thing for myself.

Have Fun and Get Fit walking with your FitFlops® 

“Remember the animals in your life are not just your pest they’re your friends” WNR©2008

http://www.soleprovisionsshop.com