Chamomile For Dogs | 3 Benefits You Probably Didn’t Know.

We are all well aware of the amazing properties of chamomile. I bet you have some chamomile tea at home right at this very moment. Why wouldn’t you? Its therapeutic properties and various benefits are more than enough to make you want to drink it every single day. Plus, it does taste pretty great, doesn’t it?

This is why people drink chamomile tea: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320031

I’m not here to talk about all the amazing things that this flower can do for you, though. It’s time we concentrated on someone other than ourselves. It’s time we paid some attention to our four-pawed, barking friends. Given how affectionate, loyal and loving they are, they really deserve our undivided attention, don’t they? We make sure to give them the best foods and treats from chicken dog food to beef liver bites, so why not think about how they feel overall and help them remain calm day in and day out.

If you thought that feeding your pup regularly and taking it out for frequent walks is enough to make it happy and well, I suggest you think again. There’s more to their feelings and needs that meets the eye. There’s also more to chamomile that meets the eye. Have you ever even thought of using “dogs” and “chamomile” in the same sentence?

 

A dog. And chamomile flowers. :)

In case it has never crossed your mind that this flower could be rather helpful for your little companions, you should use this day to do some research on that topic. The things you will find will probably amaze you and lead you towards making a very important decision of giving your pup chamomile. An idea that might seem strange at first will quickly turn into the best idea you’ve had in a while.

Before you go any further, though, and decide to make some purchases, I suppose you do want to know what it is that chamomile can do for your dogs. That’s the right way to go. Doing research before buying just anything is the right step towards buying the perfect thing. Since we’re researching chamomile today, if you continue reading, you’ll get to find out about how our dogs can benefit from it. Let us get started.

Photo credit: Experience Life.

It Soothes Their Upset Stomach
When you notice that your pup is having abdominal issues, you are definitely eager to try and find a solution. An upset stomach can be very irritating for a dog. It can cause pain, vomiting and diarrhea, among other things. Gastrointestinal issues are rather common among canines and I am sure that, if there’s a way to help, every owner will jump on that opportunity.

Here’s a thought. Why not try chamomile products? This flower is praised for its calming properties and research has shown that it can soothe our dogs’ upset stomachs, which leads to the reduction of symptoms like vomiting, pain and diarrhea. Don’t take my word for it, try it out yourself.

It Reduces Anxiety
Whether you want to admit it or not, your canine can get anxious too. This disorder is not reserved for humans only, so you need to understand that most of our animals can also suffer from anxiety. Similarly, chamomile is also net reserved for humans only, which is why you shouldn’t deprive your pets of its amazing properties.

If you notice signs of anxiety in your dog, you should try to find a way to calm them down, instead of panicking right there with them. One of the perfect ways to calm them down is, you’ve guessed it right, chamomile. This flower will get your pup more relaxed and at ease. While it cannot exactly cure anxiety for good, it can definitely relieve the symptoms, which will help your canine lead a higher-quality life.

It Treats Skin Issues
Skin irritations can be rather annoying, especially the ones that never seem to disappear, no matter how hard you try to fight them. You’ve tried everything you could think of and your dog still keeps scratching that one inflamed patch of the skin. It appears that there really is nothing you could possibly do about it and help the poor animal.

Instead of simply giving up, you should try to apply chamomile on the inflamed spot. It can be perfect for treating flea bites, allergies and even certain bacterial or fungi skin infections. Once again, its soothing properties are responsible for resolving the skin issues and help your doggie heal.

Kids and Pets: Top 5 Kid-Friendly, Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds.

My son has been begging me to get him a pet for the longest time. He started asking for it around Christmas time last year, when we chanced upon a Korean family buying a pet hamster at eMart. (Oh yes, in Korea they sell pets at their discount stores.)

A few weeks later, he asked me if we can raise an iguana at home - an idea most likely inspired by watching Nat Geo Wild day in and day out. I vehemently disagreed, of course. Save for turtles, I really can't stand the sight of reptiles.

These days, he's been leaning towards more 'normal' pet choices, like a cat or a dog. And if you've been a long time follower of this blog, then you might recall that I used to have a dog - a Shih Tzu-Poodle named Stalin.

After Stalin passed away in 2012, it never occurred to me to get a new dog or a new pet. Losing Stalin had been very traumatic and emotionally devastating, and I thought I can never love another dog again the same way I loved my Stalin. However, it's a totally different story when your child earnestly begs you for a pet dog and wholeheartedly promises to care for it and attend to its needs. *sigh*

My husband has already agreed to Yue's idea, and now it's up to me to choose which dog to get. The Goody Pet has a comprehensive list of child-friendly dog breeds, which I have narrowed down to these hypoallergenic, asthma-friendly choices.

Poodle

Photo credit: Pup Home.

When it comes to hypoallergenic or non-shedding dogs, Poodles are at the top of the list. They come in three different sizes - toy, miniature, and standard. The latter make good family dogs, as they get along very well with children. Poodles are one of the most obedient and smartest dogs; they love to play, and enjoy physical activities. Poodles have hair - not fur - which do not shed, making them the perfect companion for dog-lovers with asthma and/or allergies.

Maltese

Photo credit: Spoiled Maltese.

One of the more popular breeds of lap dogs, Maltese are known for their straight and long white coat. Maltese dogs can weigh up to 7 pounds, and have a lifespan of 12 to 14 years. Extremely lovable and playful, Maltese also make good watchdogs as they bark at strangers and other dogs. Shedding is almost non-existent in this breed as they have no undercoat. They do, however, require regular grooming to keep their white coats clean and free of mats.

Bichon Frise

Photo credit: Dogster.

A Bichon Frise is a small breed of dog which traces its origins from Spain and Belgium. One of the sweetest and most affectionate breeds, Bichon Frise dogs are known for their cotton ball cloud of curly white hair which have minimal shedding. They are playful and energetic, and very amicable towards children. Like the Maltese, the Bichon Frise also requires regular grooming to keep their coat in good shape.

Yorkshire Terrier

Photo credit: Pinterest.

Yorkshire Terriers are tiny dogs with a big personality. Good-natured and playful, Yorkies - as they are often called - usually weigh less than 7 pounds and have a lifespan of approximately 14 to 16 years. The hallmark of this breed is its coat color - a lovely shade of tan with a dark steel blue hue. They don't have an undercoat and they hardly shed, but it does take a lot of work to keep their coat fine, silky, straight, and free of mats. Yorkies also make good guard dogs as they tend to bark excessively (sometimes a little too much) at strangers.

Shih Tzu

Photo credit: Vet Street.

Originally bred for for royalty in China, Shih Tzus are known for their warm and friendly personality which makes them one of the most popular toy breeds around the world. Playful and affectionate, Shih Tzus are friendly towards just about anybody - whether its kids or strangers or other dogs. Shih Tzus are also one of the few breed of dogs whose coat is made up of hair. They shed very lightly, but their coat needs to be combed daily to keep tangles at bay. Professional grooming is also recommended, especially during the hot summer months when their coat needs to be kept short.

So, which breed will we be getting? Honestly, I'm still undecided.
I guess we have to visit the pet shop soon so we can see the dogs in person. Hopefully, one adorable pup will steal my heart again, the way Stalin did when I first met him eleven years ago. :)

Wordless Wednesday #134 | Hello, Chopper!

Chopper is home! :)

Tips for Capturing Beautiful Pictures.

A picture is said to be worth 1,000 words. When you take pictures of scenes in nature, these words can come into focus if you know how to capture the right balance of light and dark, as well as the details of what is in the picture.

You don’t have to take professional classes in order to capture the beauty of the outdoors, but you do need a quality camera. Photographers like Robert Rosenkranz can take one scene - such as an ocean wave - and turn it into a stunning masterpiece with a simple click of a button.

Photo credit: Favim.

Perspective
When you think of ways to take a picture, you might think that you have to sit directly in front of the subject. You don’t have to be right in front of something, and if you want the best picture possible, it’s probably best if you alter the perspective of the picture.

Try standing on top of a chair to get a different view of laying on the ground and looking up to get a wider view of the scene. You can often capture more of the missed details when you do change the perspective of how you take the picture.

Eye Contact
If you’re taking pictures of something that’s alive - whether it’s a person or an animal - try to get as much eye contact as possible. When you’re taking a picture of an animal, you might have to wait until it’s looking at you, or you might have to walk around to another spot so that you can capture the depths of the animal though the eyes.

Photo credit: Cute Overload.

With people, it’s a little easier. There are a few ways that you can take pictures by playing with the eye contact. Let the person focus on something that is off to the side or far away. This will create a picture that is a little more natural.

Looking at someone in the picture is another common way to capture beautiful images that show the love between two people, especially in engagement pictures. When you position the subject of the picture in the center, you can either have an amazing picture or something that looks like it’s been set down in the middle of the frame and forgotten about.

One way to create a picture that has depth is my placing the subject on the side of the frame. The lighting will also affect how the picture turns out depending on whether you use something bright or a dimmer light to pick up on natural features.

Teaching Your Dog To Obey.

No matter what kind of dog you own, you can take it to a pet training facility so that they can teach it to obey commands if you don't have the time. The staff will work with dogs on an individual basis as well as in a group. Staff members will use positive reinforcement to teach commands instead of using negative methods that might scare the dogs.

One of the things to keep in mind is that the business might want you to come participate in the classes so that the dogs will learn your voice. This will make it easier to teach commands if you are a part of the process.

Photo credit: Pet Finder.

You will be able to see the proper pet training methods as well as approaches that you can use when your pets are in various situations, such as with children or when visitors come to the home. As long as you take the advice of the people who are training the dogs, you should be able to take those commands to your home so that your dog will know that you are in charge.

If you ever have any concerns, the facility will be able to answer questions so that you can continue in the training process.

JusTees for PAWS, for the love of Stalin.

After Stalin left us some nine months ago, I made a resolve to not get another dog for the time being. I still miss him - I miss him everyday - and I don't think there'd be any other dog to take his place.

And so when I chanced upon the JusTees for PAWS shirts at the Kids' Section of SM Department Store, I felt a tug at my heart. Rummaging through the display rack was bittersweet. I was gushing at the cute designs, but at the same time I was missing Stalin all the more. And although I may never love another dog the same way I loved Stalin, that doesn't mean I can't show love and compassion for other dogs - especially those in need. And that's exactly the reason why I took two shirts off the rack - one for the little man and I.

I <3 Doggies.

Must Love Dogs.

Because for every JusTees for PAWS shirt you buy, a portion of the sales goes to the Philippine Animal Welfare Society. The proceeds will help support the animals at the PAWS shelter, where at least 49 dogs and 227 cats are currently housed.

There are 18 cute designs to choose from in the JusTees for PAWS collection, and each shirt costs Php 199.75 only. They make great gifts not just for kids this holiday season, but also for kids at heart, too! The large sizes can actually fit small to medium-built adults, and for your reference, I managed to squeeze in a size 12 shirt. Haha!

I'm thinking of buying a few more shirts as Christmas gifts, and for the little man and I, too. :)

For Stalin | A Candle in the Wind.

When I first met him in 2006, it was love at first sight.

It was the same until his last breath. 

Stalin would've turned six today if he's still with us. And I would've thrown a simple party with cake and ice cream just like we used to do. But today I'm lighting a candle on his grave instead.

Happy Birthday, Stalin! 

We miss you so, so, much! 

But we love you much, much more!

Stalin Update | The Truth Hurts.

Someone's having the Monday blues.

After restraining myself from seeing him over the weekend, I finally found the courage to visit Stalin today. I knew beforehand of the hapless condition that he's in, so I had to psych myself with the reality that I had to face. At the vet's clinic, I came face-to-face with the bitter truth. And it hurts. It hurts pretty bad.

My Stalin is nowhere near to recovery. He's actually made a turn for the worse. When we got to the clinic, he was just lying inside his cage, hooked to an IV, and breathing very heavily. Yue kept on calling his name, and it took awhile for Stalin to respond. It seemed like even his hearing and eyesight were failing. When he finally recognized me, he attempted to get up. But his knees buckled, and he fell flat on his stomach. Seeing him that weak yet trying to stand up despite the pain tore my heart apart. I didn't have the strength to fight back the tears either, and the next thing I knew I was sobbing amidst the barking of the other patient dogs.

It could be tonight, or tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow. I must brace myself for more pain, as the worst is yet to come.

Yue: Mommy, hindi na ba gagaling si Stalin? Diba dinala na sya sa doctor? (Mommy, isn't Stalin going to get better? Didn't we take him to the doctor?)
Me: Baka hindi na eh... (He might not...)
Yue: (looking upset) Mommy, ayoko ng ibang dog ha. Gusto ko si Stalin lang. (Mommy, I don't want another dog. I only want Stalin.)
Me: Ako din. Gusto ko si Stalin lang. (Me too. I only want Stalin.)


Sharing with 366, Blue Monday, Mellow Yellow Monday, Wednesday Whites.