Halloween Safety Tips and Costume Advice for Dogs and Cats in Virginia Beach and Norfolk

I recently asked my neighbors on NextDoor.com what they do to keep their pets safe on Halloween.

There were many great responses!  People realized the importance of keeping the candy out of reach and closing anxious dogs and cats in a bedroom, or crate, to prevent their possible escape.

Here are some helpful links on keeping your pet Safe on Halloween:

Victoria Stilwell has Ten Pet Safety Tips for Halloween

ASPCA's Pet Safety Tips for Halloween

Drs. Foster and Smith's Cat Safety Tips for Halloween

Dogs Naturally Magazine has 6 Natural Tips for Dogs Suffering Halloween Stress


Do you put a costume on your pet for Halloween?

Read Through a Dog's Ear, Lisa Spector's blog on whether or not we should put costumes on our pets CLICK HERE

Have a Safe and Fun Halloween Everyone!!

Scared Dog On The 4th Of July - 4 Calming Resources-Virginia Beach & Norfolk

Every year my poor Lexus has to deal with my neighbors setting off fireworks before, during and after the 4th of July.  

In fact my neighbors will set off fireworks throughout the year for just about any reason.  

Lexus exhibits the classic behaviors associated with Anxiety and Fear.  Heavy panting, squeezing into small spaces, pacing, whimpering and shaking.  

She also acts this way during a thunderstorm.  I am lucky she isn't a runner!

I have read a lot about the many different ways to help Lexus stay calm during fireworks and thunderstorms.  Sometimes cuddling works, other times she just wants to hide along. 

I'd like to point out that it is OK to cuddle with your dog when she is scared!!  It is a myth that you will reinforce their fear.

Here are 4 of my favorite blogs/websites:  

Victoria Stillwell talks about noise desensitization in her Positively newsletter.

Lisa Spector provides 7 tips For Calming Your Dog.  Lisa has a great website devoted to using music and sound therapy for easing anxiety in both dogs and cats.

Eileen Anderson has some great tips in her blog 6 Ways To Prepare Your Dog For Fireworks
Check out her website eileenanddogs

Dr. Karen Becker wrote an excellent article titled Top 10 July 4th Dos and Don'ts for Pet Owners

Planning on going out to celebrate for the 4th?  Why not hire us to stay with your fearful pup?
Happy At Home Professional Pet Care     www.happydogvb.com

Virginia Beach & Norfolk Emergency Preparedness For Pets & Printable Red Cross Safety Checklist For Your Pets In The Event Of A Disaster

The Best Way To Ensure The Safety of Your Pets In the Event Of A Disaster Is To Be Prepared!

The Red Cross has created a printable Checklist to ensure you know what to do Before, During and After a Disaster Occurs.
http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m3640126_PetSafety.pdf

The City Of Virginia Beach Offers the following Guidelines for your Pets and Livestock:
http://www.vbgov.com/residents/emergency-preparedness/Pages/emergency-planning.aspx#Pets-Livestock

The City of Norfolk offers the following in the event of an Emergency:  http://www.norfolk.gov/index.aspx?NID=670

The Virginia Beach SPCA has an Excellent Disaster Response Page:  http://vbspca.com/resources/disaster-response

A Day In The Life Of A Not So Happy At Home Dog in Hampton Roads

Have you ever wondered what your lonely dog does all day while you are at work?

6:30am         Mom and dad leaves…back to sleep for me!

8:00am      I’m up! Saw some dogs being walked by my house, I howled hello, but they didn’t stop. Grrrrrrr.

9:00am        Gotta pee!  Hey they left the bedroom door open!  Ohhhh Yummy slippers here for me!

9:30am        What is going on outside?  I see Squirrels!!  Must. Get. To. SQUIRRELS!!

10:00am      Still Gotta Pee!  I hope mom and dad don’t mind the blinds are bent and torn but the squirrels are gone!  YAAACK!  The slippers don't taste so good coming back up.

11:00am       Gotta Pee! Gotta Pee!  I am going to try to nap on mom and dad’s comfy bed.

1:00pm      How do mom and dad sleep with the pillow and comforter like that?  I like the way I fixed them so much better!  I thought they would taste good but they didn't.

4:00pm       Awake! What is that sound?  How many times do I have to howl to make it stop?

5:30pm       I am hungry, out of water and STILL GOTTA PEE!  Wait, they left that big white bowl of water for me.  I can’t wait any longer, I HAVE to PEE…..Ahhhhh I feel so much better…OOOpsies.

6:00pm       Yiippee! They are finally home!  Oh no!  Why are they mad at me?

Imagine if you had Happy At Home Professional Pet Care’s Fun Loving Staff Come and Break Up Their Day?  

Walks. Fresh water. House check. Feeding. Loving attention.  Playtime and more!  

Happy At Home Professional Pet Care offers a FREE consultation.

Let us make friends with your little one(s) so you can stop Feeling Guilty for not being home during the day! www.HappyDogVB.com

Three Local Animal Shelters come together to promote Humane Pet Training

Have you heard what the Virginia Beach SPCA, Norfolk SPCA and Chesapeake Humane Society have joined together to bring to Hampton Roads?

Happy Paws!!  A Humane Pet Training Center!  

According to the VBSPCA's Newsletter:

"Happy Paws uses a state-of-the-art, scientific approach that is rooted in building a positive, trusting, and respectful relationship with your four-legged family member." 

"Manager Tim Molina comes to Happy Paws with 10 years of training experience. Tim holds professional memberships with the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and is the only member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants in Hampton Roads." 

"We use a positive reinforcement method, and all classes are taught with the welfare of your companion in mind."

 I can't wait to check them out!  Join us at their GRAND OPENING on May 27 2015 at 11AM!  Address:  5660 Indian River Road Ste 118 VB

September & October 2014 Dog and Family Friendly Events

Fall is one of my favorite seasons, not only for the cool weather and beautiful colors, but because there are SO MANY pet friendly events happening here in Hampton Roads!  Follow the links below to find out more and to see what else they have coming up!

Do you know of a event that is not listed?  Please let me know, I am Happy to include it on the list.

September 20th --- VA PetExpo at the VA Beach Convention Center

10AM to 6PM

September 21st --- Paws for a Cause -- NN SPCA Dog Walk -- Mariners Museum in Newport News

10AM to 4PM

September 21st -- Passion for Paws Picnic  Suffolk Humane Society

River Stone Chophouse  8032 Harbour View Blvd, Suffolk  Picnic and Wine Tasting

Noon to 4PM

September 26 ---  13^th Annual Puttin’ for Paws Charity Golf Tournament – VBSPCA 

September 27 ----Taylor Farms "HOWL-O-WEEN FAMILY FUN DAY" benefiting K9 Justice League. 2599 Dam Neck Road, VB from 10-5pm. 

This is our BIGGEST Fundraiser of the year. Just $5.00 per person and you will have the best day ever. Admission includes: hayride, pumpkin, face and pumpkin painting, animal park, bounce houses, games, DJ and much more! There will also be pony rides, bake sale and snack bar for an additional fee. Let's make this the BEST year ever so we can save even more dogs. 

If you can volunteer, 18 years or older, please contact Cindy at:K9jlevents@cox.net

September 28 ---- Whole Foods Virginia Beach  Barktoberfest!  11am – 2pm  

Bring your furry friend or come find a new one from participating dog rescue groups. We'll be set up in our side parkign lot with live music, children's activities, food and drink specials and more. Enter the "Cutest Canine" photo contest for a $10 donation. Everyone who enters will be eligible for raffle prizes and a $100 gift card, and all funds raised will be split between participating rescue groups.

Organizations confirmed to date include: Chesapeake Humane Society, Virginia Beach SPCA, Norfolk SPCA No-Kill Adoption Center & Veterinary Clinics, Beagles to the Rescue, Great Dane Rescue of the Commonwealth (VA), Giant Hearts Giant Dog Rescue, Inc., Bully Advocate & Rescue Collective, K-9 New Life, and Dogs on Deployment. Give.Treat.Love will also be here with items for sale.

All dogs must be leashed and accompanied by a well-behaved human. Dogs, except service dogs, are not allowed inside the store.

October 4^th ----  2^nd Annual aMAZEing Corn Dog Adoption and Fundraising Event.  10am – 2pm
Presented by Bergey’s Corn Maze and GiveTreatLove.

October 4^th ---- 7th Annual Bring on the Bulls – VBSPCA 12- 4pm  Join us for our annual bull breed awareness and adoption event! This event is free to the public and includes obstacle courses, play pits, doggie pools, crafts, educational activities, music, peanut butter licking station for the doggies, and much more. Come celebrate all bully breeds and even bring yours on down!  Please contact Kathy Shambo for more information or to become a sponsor at educationdirector@vbspca.com

October 11th ---Barktoberfest – Norfolk SPCA --2pm-6pm
Bay Front Club in East Beach  4550 East Beach Drive

October 19^th ---Grab Your Leash and Hit the Beach!  Come out and join the VBSPCA for our largest fundraiser of the year.  Bring your friends, family and pets to enjoy a day at the Oceanfront featuring a 5K Run (Dogs Welcomed!) contests, activities, demonstrations, vendors, and of course, the one-mile pledge walk down the Boardwalk.

October 24th ---Fitness with Fido - Norfolk SPCA --- 10am-4pm 
Norfolk Botanical Garden 6700 Azalea Garden Rd.

October 26th ---Bow-wow-ween ---Norfolk SPCA --- 1pm-4pm
Ghent  Hosted by: Ghent Bar Tours 

Norfolk Animal Care & Adoption Center's Annual Dogs Gone Swimming!

Bring your friends, family and pooches to the 6th Annual Dogs Gone Swimming!

When:  Saturday, September 13Where: Norfolk Fitness & Wellness Center @ 7300 Newport Ave., Norfolk
Time: 10 am - 3 pm
Why: To have fun with your dog and family AND help homeless pets! Proceeds benefit the animals at Norfolk Animal Care & Adoption Center

This will be a fun filled day for dogs and families! Our goal is to welcome over 400 dog swimmers and 1,500 humans this year! The dogs can't wait, and neither can we! We have so much planned, including:

Swim sessions from 10 am to 3 pm (each 40 minute swim session starts on the hour)

Field activities from 11 am to 3 pm

Tidewater Dock Dogs demonstration at the end of each swim session (10 minutes)

Low cost spay/neuter, vaccine, and nail trims with VBSPCA Neuter Scooter

Obedience and agility demonstrations

Adoptable pets from area rescue groups

Dog swimsuit competitions

Pet focused services such as nail clipping, rabies vaccinations and City of Norfolk pet licenses

Dogs Gone Swimming is presented by Friends of Norfolk Animal Care & Adoption Center. When you sign up for swim sessions or purchase merchandise, you support Friends programs that help homeless animals.

Swim session fee: $15 first dog, $10 for each additional dog

All day pass: $45 first dog; $15 for each additional dog

Military discount session: At the 2 pm session, military families can register for the swim session at a reduced fee of $7 for first dog, $5 for each additional dog while space is available. To receive discount, you must show military ID and register for swim session on site the day of event (please note: discounted on-line pre-registration is not available). Military discount proudly sponsored by Team L'Hoste Real Estate

Merchandise from our Dogs Gone Swimming Store includes cookbooks, t-shirts, towels, coffee cups, and water bottles. (Can purchase in advance online and picked up day of event)

Scooping The Poop! Why is it so Important?

Because of the recent Virginia Beach beach closures, I want to share the excellent blog Lynnhaven River Now wrote about the importance of Scooping The Poop, how to get a FREE Poop Bag Dispenser and more!

You can find the blog HERE.

9 Ways you can Change Lives at The Norfolk SPCA

I knew that the Norfolk SPCA had been around a very long time, my first rescue dog as a child came from the Norfolk SPCA, and that was a looong time ago!  

But did you know they had been around serving our community since 1892?

The Norfolk SPCA needs community support from people like you to provide dogs, cats and small animals, quality veterinary care and new loving homes.

Below are 9 ways you can support the Norfolk SPCA and forever changes the lives of animals and quite possibly, yours!

You can find more information and even MORE ways to give on their Donation Page.

Tribute donations--Make a gift on behalf of a special friend in honor of a special occasion. 

Memorial cards--Donate in memory of a deceased person or pet, and we will send a sympathy card noting your kindness. 

Hope Fund--This special fund ensures that we can provide medical care when a shelter animal needs assistance that our clinics are unable to provide. 

Monthly giving--Sign up to be a monthly contributor.

Corporate support--See if your employer will consider sponsoring an event or program of the Norfolk SPCA or will match your own gifts. 

Major gifts--Would you like to meet with us to discuss a significant level of support? We welcome those conversations. Simply give us a call. 

Earmarked contributions--For gifts of $1,000 or more, we are glad to earmark your donation to support a specific program. 

Grants--If you have a relationship with a foundation, please let us know if we may submit a proposal and invite trustees for a tour.

Workplace giving--You can support us through your local United Way Campaign, Combined Federal Campaign or Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign.