09.24.08
Take Your Dog To Work Day
In 1999, Pet Sitters International established the holiday “Take Your Dog To Work Day”, to help raise awareness of pet related topics such as: pet overpopulation or the benefits of animal companionship.
This year, Take Your Dog To Work Day will begin on June 20th. A few guidelines need to be set in place first:
- Check with your company to see if it’s okay to bring your dog to work. You should be courteous to your colleagues, because some may be allergic or even afraid.
- Doggie proof your work area. Just like at home, make sure there aren’t any poisonous plants in your workspace.
- Make sure your dog has all of its shots.
- Carry a doggie bag with you. You will want to be fully equipped with paper towels, pet safe disinfectant, food, treats, toys, etc.
- Don’t force your co-workers to interact with your dog. You’re still at work, so you don’t want to be distracting others from their work. You will also want to prevent your dog from having accidents around the office. Don’t worry, people who are dog lovers, will let it be known that they are and as a result initiate the greeting themselves.
07.14.08
Traveling With Your Pet Requires Preparation
During the summer, many people enjoy bringing their pets with them when they travel. However, this isn’t as simple if one were traveling alone. Traveling with your pet requires preparation work. Decisions need to be made about certain issues before taking your pet along with you for the ride. For instance, if your pet suffers from health issues, it’s best to leave it at home.
If you do however decide to bring your pet, there needs to be preparation. You will need to make sure you have all the basic needs that you would have at home, on your trip as well such as: food, treats, toys, bed, cold water, and bowls for the road. Remember that not all hotels are pet friendly, so you will need to do your research before booking reservations. Check with your vet to see if your pet is up to date on all vaccinations.
Safety precautions also need to be made when traveling such as:
- Make sure your pet is supervised at all times
- If you’re in the pool, ocean, or on a boat, give your pet a flotation device to wear
- Don’t let your pet drink pool water, because the chlorine can lead to an upset stomach
- Don’t apply sunscreen or insect repellant to your pet
- Don’t leave your pet unattended in a vehicle
