Do you celebrate your pets birthday?

So today is Blogging Bob's birthday and Sunday is baby Smudge's 1st birthday. I just spent an hour at the pet store deciding what to buy them for their special days.

Funny how I found myself asking the same questions I ask when I buy for my human kids. How long will this toy last, did I get them enough things, and my favorite question....do I need to buy their siblings something (the other pets in the house) so nobody is jealous.

So after I picked out a few toys and bones for each, I went and picked up some fresh baked doggie muffins (http://www.doggiepantry.com/). Another question...am I a bad mom because I bought "the cake" instead of making it from scratch.

This whole scenario made me start thinking about how I have always celebrated my pets birthdays as much as I do our 2 legged children, but does everyone else do that? I think I know the answer, but still curious.

So if u celebrate your pets birthday, I'd love to hear how you celebrate. So make a comment and tell me how.

Thanksgiving Giving

I was at PetSmart the other day buying food and treats for my crew and as I was checking out the cashier asked me if I wanted to give a donation. Now I say yes from time to time, but a lot of times I say no too because, well let's be honest it gets expensive if we gave every time somebody asked us for a donation. But on this particular occasion I said yes (it is Thanksgiving after all and animals need help at the holidays too). The cashier was very excited and said he had been asking people all day and I was the first to say yes. I was actually kind of surprised by that considering the time of year, but times are tough every where so I am certainly not judging. He then asked me how much I would like to give and handed me this little tented post card that had dollar amounts and what that dollar amount would go for. I liked that! Usually they just ask you how much, but this sign help me really understand what my money could buy.

I ended up giving $20 because that amount paid for medical procedures that normally couldn't happen. Honestly, I probably would have given less but the way that sign was worded really struck a cord in me. Good for you PetSmart for taking the extra time to make up those placards.

So on to the moral of the story. This holiday season give a little something to the animals. Any amount will do. Or how about some old blankets, toys or collars. Lots of rescues are desperate for anything and everything.

Oh and that cashier at PetSmart, he was so excited I gave $20, he announced it loud and clear. You know what the lady behind me in line gave something too.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Dog Swims

I'm originally from CA so the pools there are open all year round, but as you know here in VA and all over the East Coast most outdoor pools shut down and are drained after Labor Day every year.

Whereas it is a bummer that we don't have the beautiful weather to allow our pools to be open all year round, closing the pools allows for fabulous events to happen at pools all around the area prior to being drained....Dog Swims!

You heard me, Dog Swims! The pools go to the dogs for one day after they are closed to the public but prior to draining. One of these swims will be happening tomorrow, Saturday September 10th from 9am-2pm at the AV Symington Aquatic Center at Ida Lee Park in Leesburg. Last year this event attracted about 400 dogs and was a whole lot of fun.

This Dog Swim has an admission fee (some don't), but all the proceeds go to Leesburg Dogs, a 501c3 that supports the Leesburg Dog Park. Admission is $5 a dog and only 2 dogs allowed per person.

So if you and your pup are looking for something to do tomorrow come out and say hello.