Pet Friendly Ways To Celebrate Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is May 10 and Clear The Air would like to share these purrfect ways to celebrate all mothers!

Purrfect Mother’s Day Ideas: Pet-Friendly Activities

With Mother’s Day around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about the special women in your life who are mothers. And if you know a dog or cat mom, she deserves to celebrate Mother’s Day, too, though it can be challenging to find pet-friendly activities for these mothers and their fur babies. Here are a few pet-appropriate ideas for treating pet parents in celebration of Mother’s Day, in fur-friendly style.

Pet-Centric Bistro Lunch

There are many establishments that cater to animal owners and welcome patrons of the four-legged variety. The website BringFido.com allows you to search for a dog-friendly places in your area, whether a pub, sidewalk cafe, coffee shop or trendy eatery, the fur babies are welcomed at an outdoor table.

Booking a reservation at one of these restaurants will guarantee a good time for mom and her wet-nosed companion. Mimosas and Milkbones, anyone?

Dinner and a Furry Flick

As quaint as a furry bistro may be, finding pet-friendly dining establishments can be a tedious task in certain areas, so an alternate plan is to treat your pet mama to a night in. Create a pizza that both mom and fur baby can enjoy. Use organic flour, instant yeast, salt, organic sugar, extra virgin olive oil, and warm water, to make a pizza dough safe for dog consumption. Top it off with dog-safe toppings, like spinach, shredded carrots, artichoke hearts, pineapple, green beans, broccoli or sweet potato. Avoid onions and mushrooms, which do not agree with the puppy constitution.

As for the film, the most recommended movies to enjoy with your pets, according to PetMD, are Scooby Doo, Best in Show, 101 Dalmatians, Lady and the Tramp, and coming in at the top of the list, Homeward Bound. Cuddle up with mom and pooch and let the laughter, barking and meowing commence.

Dog Park Picnic

If you’re not in the mood for a bistro, but still want to get parent and pet out of the house for the special day, plan a trip to an animal-friendly park in the area. The proud mama can let her babies run around before settling down for a picnic meal of packaged gourmet sandwiches from a local deli and freshly homemade dog food for your four-legged companions.

To make this outing extra special, give the gift of edible delectables. Decadent chocolates or chocolate-covered strawberries not only make a great gift, they’re also the perfect dessert to top-off an outdoor picnic meal. Don’t forget to sign the card from both you and Fido.

Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate those special ladies who pour love into everything they do, who give more than they receive, and who always think of their loved ones first, whether those loved ones have two legs or four. So make sure those caring mothers get a little special treatment of their own this year, from you and the fur babies.

Success Story From The Humane Society

Here’s a wonderful story from the San Diego Humane Society about Katie, a.k.a. Madeline, a Tortoiseshell kitten.

Katie’s mom writes:

I adopted a beautiful female Tortoiseshell kitten from the San Diego Humane Society last October 23. Her name there at the SDHS was Madeline. I had just lost my precious 15 year old Manx kitty (Maggie) two months earlier and was ready to give another pet a home. I searched for what seemed a long time before I met Madeline, and she agreed I was the one to take her home.

Madeline was one of the very first kittens I met there, as her little home was located in the front, inside the Gift Center, along with some other gorgeous kittens. Her name has since been changed to Katie, but we’ll call her Madeline here, as that was how everyone there at SDHS knew her. I could not believe how quickly she made herself right at home that first evening after departing the carrier. It was if she had been here a while and had already adapted. No time was wasted, as she wanted to play. Madeline has brought so much joy and love into my life.

Madeline is just as described on her profile adoption intro. She has a ton of personality, is very friendly and social, loves people and loves to cuddle, when she has time and is ready. She is very independent. She loves to play fetch and her favorite activity is when we play with her cat catcher teaser toy. Anyone who comes to visit me is greeted with affection and excitement by Katie.

Thank you to the SDHS for everything you do for the animals and also thank you to all the Volunteers and foster families for all they do in socializing, readying and loving the kittens as they await adoption.

-Janet

Are you ready to add a new furry family member? Check out the animals available for adoption at the San Diego Humane Society here.

Lenora Is Looking For Her Forever Home

If you were thinking of getting a new dog for the family this Christmas, adopt a dog from the San Diego Humane Society. They have so many precious dogs looking to be your new best friend. Check out this beautiful birthday girl wishing for her new home!!

Happy Birthday to this little beauty, Lenora! She’s been patiently waiting for more than 360 days for her new family and she’s hoping if she wishes hard enough, her birthday wish will come true!

Lenora is 5 years old and as sweet as can be. She loves to snuggle and give kisses to her favorite humans. When she’s not cuddled up, she loves playing fetch and goofing around with the water hose.
She’s also one of our top Volunteer Picks for her sweet demeanor and silly personality.

Make her birthday wish come true this weekend at our San Diego Campus! Here’s more information on Lenora.

Successful Story From The San Diego Humane Society

Another sweet cat finds her forever home!

The San Diego Humane Society helps many homeless animals find their “furrever” home. Here is yet another success story about Sophia (now called Amelie) who is very happy with her new family:

Here’s her story:

My cat Scheherazade died about six months ago. She’d been my little friend for 17 years, and I was heartbroken. She and I were simpaticas, and I didn’t think I’d ever want another pet. But I received an e-mail from the Humane Society saying they were having a special on “Ninja Panthers” (i.e., all-black kittens), and there was one that looked just like Scheherazade when she was a kitten. It was a male, and I immediately thought, “Dante! I’ll call him Dante!” I called to find out if he could be held until I got there, but someone had just taken him home.

My husband said, “Let’s just go down there. I’m sure they have other kittens.”

We went to the Gaines Street campus, and the adoption counselor asked what we were looking for in a kitten. I said I wanted an affectionate one. She let us play with all of them and told us a little bit about each. There was one, though, a little gray female called Sophia, that was sweet, playful, and affectionate–just a bundle of charm. My husband said, “I like that one.” I agreed, and we brought her home.

I can’t tell you what a delight she is. She was so well socialized that she was right at home with us in just over an hour. I work from home, and she loves to help–typing and sorting papers are her favorite–and she loves to play and to cuddle, and she’s so well behaved. I couldn’t ask for a better or more perfect friend than our little Sophia (now called Amelie). I think Scheherazade would be pleased that we found her. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Diane

Ridiculously Remarkable RICKY!

Should You Let Your Dog Eat Bugs?

A Dog-Eat-Bug Life: Is it Safe for Dogs to Eat Bugs?

Your dog eats the food you provide and loves the treats you bestow. Sometimes, even the grass looks too inviting to pass up! But you’ve noticed that your dog also eats bugs, and you worry if that’s safe. If you see your dog chewing on something that you didn’t provide, the first rule of thumb is to try to stop it. Dogs have been known to eat just about anything, including rocks, grass, foreign objects and animal feces. Some things are harmless, while others can be devastating if ingested. Here are a few of the insects most commonly snacked on by dogs:

1. Flies and moths

If your dog is entertained by chasing flies or catching moths, there’s no need for concern. Some dogs will eat flies all day long. Although anything in excess isn’t good, including a dog’s consumption of flies or moths, the occasional winged snack will not be harmful to his or her health.

2. Crickets

Maybe it’s because they’re crunchy or just fun because they jump, but for whatever reason, dogs love to eat crickets. Crickets happen to be high in protein, so if ingested by your dog, there’s no need to worry. There are, however, exceptions to every rule. If the cricket happened to be infected, or if that cricket had been poisoned, it may cause an upset stomach. If your dog shows signs of repeated vomiting or fatigue, call your veterinarian.

3. Grasshoppers

Grasshoppers are related to crickets, and eating a few probably won’t hurt your dog. The difference between crickets and grasshoppers, however, is that some grasshoppers can carry potentially harmful parasites. If your dog eats a grasshopper and becomes infested, it could be very serious. If left untreated, the ingested parasite could lead to blockage in your dog’s intestines and even result in death. It can be difficult to tell if your dog has parasites without blood tests, however there are some signs that your dog needs to see a vet right away. Watch for diarrhea, sudden weight loss, or signs of maggots around the anus. Of course, call your vet immediately if you see any of these signs.

4. Bed bugs

Perhaps because they are so small, dogs rarely try to eat bed bugs. If your pet does eat one or two, he should be fine. You have bigger problems than Fido snacking on them, however; if you think you have bed bugs, call a professional exterminator. It’s next to impossible to get rid of them by yourself.

Bug-proof your home

Make an attempt to keep your home and the area where your dog lives bug-free. Store dry food in air-tight containers and keep food bags off the ground.

Make a habit of purchasing smaller amounts of dog food at a time rather than buying in bulk and leaving extra bags out where they could become contaminated. Even if it is sealed, the longer you leave food out, the higher the chance it may get pests. To avoid immediate problems, keep leftover food off the floor and off the counters. Prevention is the key to keeping pests at bay.

How To Eliminate RV Odors

Sadly summer is at a close. If you own an RV and use it regularly for summer trips, continue reading…

Clear The Air can eliminate any and all RV odors you may experience. Many times RV’s can harbor foul odors because they do not always get the air circulation they need during the off season.

If you smell unpleasant odors in your RV or are planning to store your RV for the Fall and Winter time, we suggest you use Clear The Air’s Odor Eliminating Bags to keep odors away.

Air fresheners just mask the odors and often smell worse than the offensive odor, RV detailing is expensive, and shampooing often just spreads the smell around. Many things can cause odors in your RV – pets, smoke, gasoline, smog, mold/mildew, bathroom, and holding tanks all cause odors to build up in your RV.

Clear The Air Odor Remover Bags can simply be hung in your RV and they will completely eliminate all these odors. Our product draws in odors like a powerful magnet and are also safe around children and pets even if eaten. It does not have to come into contact with odor producer to eliminate the odor – Clear The Air does not cover up odors it literally “clears the air” leaving the air fresh and clean.

Find out HOW to use our Odor Eliminating Products in your RV by clicking here.

Mutt Monday’s Success Story – Dakota

Another sweet dog find her forever home!

The San Diego Humane Society helps many homeless animals find their “furrever” home. Here is yet another success story about Dakota who is very happy with her new family:

Dakota (formerly Tomato)
“Perfect Dog!”

This is the best dog ever!  She sits, lays down, fetches and drops it at your feet, sleeps in her crate and poops and pees outside, even goes to the sliding door and scratches to go out to pee!

She’s great with our 5 year old daughter and gentle with our 2 year old daughter.

It’s like she’s an angel sent from heaven just for our family!!  Took her to puppy class at Petco and the lady was teaching her third and fourth week stuff, smart dog.

I am so very thankful we got her!!  PERFECT DOG! 🙂

With great appreciation!!
The Snow family

Shy Shelly Looking For Love At The San Diego Humane Society

Shy Shelly is Looking for Love!

Check out the latest hidden gem at the San Diego Humane Society. Shelly is looking for her forever home and is just a year old! Here is what the San Diego Humane Society has to say about her:

1-year old Shelly is a very special girl. A Chihuahua mix with just about the sweetest face you’ve ever seen, this little lady was transferred to us from one of our partner shelters in the area.

From the beginning, she was clearly terrified of people, and even more so, of the leash. And while she still likes to take her time approaching new people and situations, she has made tremendous progress and formed trusting relationships with her caregivers who have been simply thrilled to see the positive changes in her behavior.

Once she knows you and develops a close & trusting relationship with you, Shelly has such an abundance of love she wants to share. She’ll start by offering you a little wiggle dance accompanying her wagging tail. Next she might perform some “zoomies” (run around super-fast and happy)! Then, she’ll politely request a good ol’ petting sesh, and be ever so happy to soak up all of the attention you can give her. Now, it might take just a little time to get there, but the payoff with this sweet girl will most definitely be worth it.

Shelly’s adoption fee of $95 includes her spay, current vaccinations, permanent microchip identification, and a certificate for a free veterinary exam! This very special hidden gem of ours is located behind the scenes at our Gaines campus. If you are interested in meeting her or getting more information, please contact Customer Service at (619) 299-7012.

Happy Fourth Of July – Keep Your Pets Safe!

Did you know the Fourth Of July is the biggest day of the year that pets get lost?

The animals shelters receive the most lost and scared pets on the Fourth Of July than any other day of the year.

Please keep your pets safe at home and read our blog to make sure you are doing everything for your pet’s safety:

• Don’t leave your pets outside. Even if your pet is used to being outside, the loud noises from fireworks may make them break free from their restraint or jump the fence if they are trying to find safety from the noise.
• Keep alcohol away from pets. Pets can become dangerously intoxicated, go into a coma or even die from respiratory failure.
• Leave your pet at home if going to watch fireworks. The combination of too many people and loud fireworks will cause your pet to freak out and do anything they can to seek shelter. Do not lock them in the car either!
• Microchip your pet and make sure he or she has ID tags. If your pet does manage to get loose, an ID tag with your name and phone number on it will help your dog find his way back home. You also want to make sure your pet is micro-chipped.
• Never use fireworks around your pet. Lit fireworks will not only scare your pet but they can cause severe burns, trauma to the face or paws and even death. They also contain toxic substances even when unused.
• Don’t feed your pet from the table. Avoid giving your pet table food while you are barbequing or enjoying a backyard party. Onions, coffee, avocado, grapes, raisins, salt and more are all hazardous to your pets.
• Oils, citronella candles, insect coils and other insect repellant products are toxic to your pet. Inhaling these toxins can result in respiratory illness such as pneumonia and indigestion which can harm your pet’s nervous system.

What do you do to keep your pet safe and secure on the Fourth? Comment on our blog.