Tuesday, October 29, 2013

"Howl"-o-ween

Blogging Friends.... It is quite timely that I need to repost this today. I am still riding the waves of mood swing-infused pity parties. There have been conflicting thoughts/feelings/emotions, plus tears. It is really very healthy, as God grows/matures me!! I'm learning how to take my board and surf sans drowning, I suppose. So. Surf's up!! When I'm riding the waves of mood swing-infused pity parties, I need three things. I want chocolate. {Which, surprisingly, I have not binged on!! I am a recovering chocolate addict, remember?} I need Robert Downey Jr.  And I find myself writing as though life depends on it!! This time, however, it isn't posts about Rose for Beautifully Unique. Not yet!! No, I have been writing creative fictional children's stories for "Minuscule is good!". November's post? It is "in the can", as that phrase goes. And December's Christmas-themed story? It should be finished today!! Stay tuned!!
        
My goodness, is it really that time of year again? Halloween!! It is merely two days away!! Last night, I carved my plump, very, very unique-looking, nearly hollow pumpkin. It has "scars" all over one side, {Which, I love!!} and looks so disfigured, it may as well have craniosynostosis!! {No offense to any of my Beautifully Unique Kindred Spirits out there!! I am only poking fun at me!! And the weird-looking pumpkin!!} I was unsure of what, exactly, to carve this year. So, I just stabbed the knife in my pumpkin, then gave "him" one square eye and smirk!! Done!! As Halloween 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!! 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. {I'm afraid that 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. {I intend to bake Rose a batch of peanut butter biscuits. On Halloween. A recipe post will soon follow!! So stay tuned, dear Friends!!}
 

11 comments:

Ryker said...

Mood swings if severe can be treated with medication...if you haven't looked into this you may want to give it a try. It has helped many people.
I am so glad that Ryker loves Howloween as much as I do. He so looks forward to all the kids visiting and thrives on all the attention. I am so blessed.

Mary Lou said...

RYKER....
Thank-you for the comment, Friend!! And concern. My mood swings are not "severe". Nothing which God and family can help me through!! I am fine. Tears are actually healing!! And they have since dried up!! I'm surfing the waves!! ;)
"I am so glad that Ryker loves Howloween as much as I do. He so looks forward to all the kids visiting and thrives on all the attention. I am so blessed.". We are all so blessed!! ;op

Mary Lou said...

Whoops!!
Nothing which God and family canNOT help me through!! ;)

Sketching with Dogs said...

I think I will join you in your pity party (hope there are drinks :)I have been feeling quite down lately, mainly due to the fact Bridge is sleeping more and eating less.
Your pumpkin sounds like it has a lot of character, I love things that are a bit different too.
Have fun at Halloween.
Lynne x

Mary Lou said...

Lynne....
Thank-you for the comment, Friend!!
I am sorry to read that about Bridge!! It's so hard when something is not right with our babies!! I hope that Bridge recovers and starts eating more!! Hugs and prayers!! ;)
Yes, you may join me in my pity party. It can really be a healthy exercise!! And yes, there are drinks!! I will provide!! What do you prefer? ;op


Unknown said...

We hope your mood brightens up as we know it isn't nice to feel down. Thanks for pointing out the tips for Halloween. It can be quite frightening for pets. We just draw the curtains and don't participate in the trick or treat part as otherwise it would be an excuse for a barkfest. Have a terrific Tuesday.
Best wishes Molly

Mary Lou said...

Molly....
Thank-you for the comment, Friend!!
"We hope your mood brightens up as we know it isn't nice to feel down.". Thanks. It is nothing which God and family cannot help me through!! I just need to get over myself. I am working on it!! ;)
"We just draw the curtains and don't participate in the trick or treat part as otherwise it would be an excuse for a barkfest.". There's an idea!! ;op

Sherri / 2Rescues said...

I hope your mood swings level out and you start to feel better. I've been struggling with them, too, lately...made worse by pharmaceuticals as I've been trying to get off one medication (at my doctor's order - turns out the stuff has some bad long term problems the previous prescribing doc didn't bother telling me about - thanks DOC). I admire your willingness to talk about it...I always feel uncomfortable talking about such things, myself. As far as Halloween goes -I have Halloween bandanas for my dogs. Lightning loves his. Thumper tolerates it, now that he has learned that it is not going to hurt him. Lol.

Mary Lou said...

Sherri....
Thank-you for the comment, Friend!!
"I hope your mood swings level out and you start to feel better.". Thanks!! I'm on the upside of things and am in much better spirits!! Right now, anyway!! I am recovering!! ;)
Honesty has always been "my style", and writing is therapy!! Plus. I always feel everyone's virtual computer hugs after sharing my thoughts/feelings/emotions on this Blog!! Always. ;-D
I hope you get better, Friend!! Thanksgiving is right around the corner!! We all have a LOT to be grateful for!! ;op

M said...

hey you two... BOO! - hope you have a great day!

Mary Lou said...

M....
Thank-you for the comment, Friend!!
BOO to you!! ;op