Friday, October 26, 2012

"Howl"-oween Safety Tips


October 31st is five days away!! My goodness.... Where does the time escape to? Blink, and it will be November!! Which means Thanksgiving!! Then Christmastime!! I am getting carried away.... Holidays do that to me!! Meanwhile, I must focus on the presence!! October 31st is five days away!! I have picked my plump, lopsided pumpkin. On it, I intend to carve Iron Man's mask!! Because. After all, that superhero has left a lasting impact on my life!! Unlikely. But lasting. For an artistically-challenged girl such as myself, this task seems daunting!! Can I do it? I don't know.... Then, afterward, I will be able to enjoy one of my favorite Autumn treats: salty, buttery, roasted pumpkin seeds!! Now. As October 31st is so swiftly looming ahead of us, here are some tips for assuring our beautiful four-legged canines' safety!! I hope that they're helpful!!

 
(Words taken from our local dog shelter's Web site, plus a HealthyPets e-mail)

 
Halloween can be a fun time for our children, but not necessarily for our pets. Please follow these tips, and share them with others, to help keep pets safe this Halloween. Protect your pet by keeping (him) indoors. Trick-or-treaters' excited voices and costumes could spook your dog causing (her) to run off and get lost. Make sure your dog is wearing identification just in case. Many pets get spooked and escape. Unfortunately they end up in shelters without identification. Pets can also easily become victims of trick-or-treaters if left outside and unattended. Keep your pet confined away from the door as you greet trick-or-treaters to prevent it from darting outdoors. (We do not encounter many trick-or-treaters, other than neighbor kids, Shawn, Aaron, Jonathan, Josh, Daniel, David, Brad and Libby!! During this time, Rose is kept--against her own will--in our great room behind closed French doors!!) On Halloween, your dog may feel (his) territory is being invaded by the onslaught of odd visitors. Keeping your dog in a secluded area of the house will help (her) stay calm and prevent (him) from growling or possibly biting a visiting ghoul or goblin. (Although my ever-friendly Rose would never feel invaded, and her worst defense against ghouls or goblins would be a series of excitable "Beagle" bays!!) It may help to provide a chew toy or a toy stuffed with treats, like a KONG which may help reduce stress. You may also want to crate your dog. Keep Halloween candy out of your pets reach because it can make your pet sick. In fact, chocolate can be fatal to dogs! (Because chocolate contains twain hazardous ingredients: Caffeine and theobromine. If Rose were to eat an ounce per pound of her body weight, she could be in grave trouble!! Thus say the experts!! That is when it would be absolutely necessary to induce vomiting!! Plus rush her in the direction of our nearest emergency center.) The wrappers, such as tin foil, can also get stuck in your pet's digestive tract, making them sick. If you have to take your dog with you outside, make sure you use a short leash for the most control, and that your pet is highly visible at all times. Also make sure your pet doesn't stop to eat anything off of the ground. Don't dress your pet in a costume unless you know they love it. (Rose would disown me for dressing her in a costume!!) Otherwise, it will put a lot of stress on your pet. Be sure costumes are safe and will not choke your pet. Also, make sure your pet has a clear view and that their noses are not covered. Your dog can also be a hazard to (her)self. If your house has a lot of decorations, your dog may knock them over with a wag of the tail and burn (him)self. Be sure that your decorations are not pet accessible. And, when the trick-or-treaters have gone home for the night, don't forget to reward your pet's good behavior with treats made especially for him/her, like dog biscuits. (Yeah. About that. I plan to bake Rose a batch of peanut butter biscuits. Eventually. But we will also be attending church on October 31st!! So. It is only a matter of when. Perhaps Tuesday, October 30th?)   
 

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Have a very happy Halloween!!

Mary Lou said...

Finn....
Thank-you for the comment!!
I shall have a very happy Halloween!! Same to you!! ;op

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

We get stuck in the bedroom with a treat....

Happy Halloween!

XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

Unknown said...

Good points you raise there and we never thought about sweet wrappers. Have a fun weekend and have a super Saturday today.
Best wishes Molly

Mary Lou said...

Daisy, Bella & Roxy....
Thanks for commenting!!
You "get stuck in the bedroom with a treat...."!! Well. That does not sound so bad!! Hee, hee, hee.... ;)
Happy Halloween to you, as well!! ;op

Mary Lou said...

Molly....
Thank-you for the comment!!
I shall have myself a "super" Saturday.... Our niece is coming over!! ;op

Sketching with Dogs said...

The dogs drive me insane by barking like mad every time the kids come to the door on Halloween. The worst day for us is Guy Fawks night on November 5th when all the fireworks are going off till about 1am, Bridge is terrified.
Lynne x

Mary Lou said...

Lynne....
Thank-you for the comment!!
Rose usually barks her ferocious hound bark when Trick or Treaters enter our front door, too!! But last year, she was--surprisingly!!--quiet!! What a good girl!! ;)
Guy Fawks night must be to you what Independence Day is for us Americans!! Fireworks explode.... And Rose freaks out!! We "den" together in the "boy's bathroom" every July 4th!! :-(
November 5th is creeping up to you.... You'll be in my thoughts, Friend!! ;op

Ryker said...

Thanks for the timely tips. Ryker loves to dress-up and greet the kids at the door. We have lots of fun!

Mary Lou said...

RYKER....
Thank-you for commenting!!
"Ryker loves to dress-up and greet the kids at the door. We have lots of fun!". That is wonderful.... For you!! I neglected to mention that all canines are different. Some enjoy being dressed up. Others hate it. Some enjoy greeting little ghosts and witches. Others could not!! ;)
Have a happy and safe Halloween!! ;op

Remington said...

Great tips! I guess we don't get any trick or treaters up here on the hill so I won't get to see of the little ones dressed up....so sad....

Mary Lou said...

Remington....
Thank-you for the comment!!
You will not get any trick or treaters at your house? That is sad!! Since we are planning to attend church come Wednesday, I will actually miss seeing everybody in costume!! But oh well!! ;op

Smile With Your Tail said...

Thanks for the tips...have a fun and SAFE Howloween!

slobbers

Mary Lou said...

Smile With Your Tail....
Thank-you for the comment!!
Your very welcome!! I shall have a fun and SAFE "Howloween".... Same to you!! ;op