#pet boarding plano

[pawoasispetresort]

Dog Training Plano Texas

Transform your dog into a well-behaved and obedient companion with Pawoasis' premier dog training services in Plano, Texas. Our experienced trainers are dedicated to helping dogs of all breeds and ages reach their full potential through positive reinforcement and effective training techniques.

[petsareinn2]

Where can I leave my dog when I go on vacation?

It can be tough for you to part with your canine friend even if it’s just for a few hours. Pet dogs bond very closely with their owners and there can be signs of anxiety or stress in them when there’s separation.

As a dog owner you may have experienced or heard about the inconveniences when it comes to traveling with dogs.

Not all travel destinations or countries are dog-friendly. Entry of dogs of guests in hotels may be restricted or prohibited and long quarantine periods will cause distress and anxiety to both the dog and its owner.

Equally tough is finding the right service provider who will look after your dog like you would do in your absence.

About us

Since 1994, Pets Are Inn has been meeting the discerning needs of dog owners in Plano.

Our operation is customer-centric and canine-friendly.

As pet lovers ourselves, we understand each and every need of your canine friend.

We empathise with you that one of the hardest and riskiest decisions to make when going on a long holiday or short vacation is to find a friendly and caring host.

We would like to assure you that the time your loved pet stays with us, it will become a second home!

Why us?

We aim to offer a perfect solution for your pet. We start with an open mind approach with the aim of giving you peace of mind.

Our dog-loving team will conduct extensive research and plan the host programme.

Our objective is the ensure that during your absence your pet dog stays and enjoys a stress-free, safe and comfortable host environment.

Hosting options

There’s no single single solution for your pet’s well-being arrangements.

Options for temporary hosting consideration include friends and family, traditional boarding in kennels, home boarding or even engaging the services of a pet sitter.

Factors like age, health and temperament of your dog are also factored in.

Caring for your dog

Alan and Donna of PetsAreInn will personally ensure that they find the perfect cage-free environment and caring host for your furry friend.

Our principles

PetsAreInn & dog boarding near me will never place your pet with just any host home randomly.

Only experienced pet owners who can spend time with your pet are with us.

We ensure the host knows about your pet’s personality, traits and likes and dislikes.

All the comforts of home

We ensure that the host will provide your pet with fullest attention and loving pet care services.

Donna and her team have many years of experience of caring for a wide variety of dogs with diverse personalities and demands. As genuine pet lovers, we also cater to pets with special needs.

We will make appropriate or specific hosting arrangements for dogs that like open space or quieter environs for the shy or older types if requested.

Veterinary services

Our dog boarding alternatives services include qualified veterinary supervision for boarding or sitting for your dog. We keep a close watch on your pet’s activity and health condition, promptly take action and use the services of a doctor when the need arises or if there’s a SOS situation.

Exercise and Nutrition

Staff at PetsAreInn will ensure that your pet gets to exercise regularly.

Exercise and stimulation are vital for any dog’s development, physical, and mental well-being.

We know that a stimulated dog is less likely to pick up destructive behaviors and good nutrition is equally important for your dog’s health.

Other services

As a discerning Pet owner, if you are not keen on traditional kennel or pet-sitting near me services; you can trust Pets Are Inn for unique pet services that provide a surrogate boarding home for as long as you want.

Pet anxiety

We understand dogs quite well and are fully aware that it can sometimes be difficult to predict exactly what will make your dog anxious in your absence. We keep that aspect on the top-of-our-minds and ensure your pet is stress-free.

Connect with us for best options

Give us a call at 972-424-8400 to explore more about our pet boarding services in Plano. You can also make an appointment for a meet and greet. We also provide you with the convenience of round-trip pick-up and return.

[wellesleyunderground]

Wellesley Underground’s Holiday Guide to Wellesley-Owned Businesses: November 2019

The Good Supply / Image Credit: The Good Supply

Looking for your holiday gifts? Check out Wellesley Underground’s crowd-sourced list of Wellesley-owned businesses (updated for 2019)! Compiled by Hoi-Fei Mok ‘10, WU Managing Editor.

Pinterest Board of the Shops (incomplete)

Jewelry

Alumnati Jewelry by Stephanie Christie ‘00: Handmade Wellesley lamppost earrings

Ecru Collection by Kara Templeton '12: Jewelry, home decor, and stationery

Kindred Spirit Studios by Michelle Davis Petelinz '78: Jewelry, home decor

Lauren Wimmer Jewelry by Lauren Wimmer ‘98: Jewelry

Mala Shah Design by Mala Shah ‘98: Metalworks and Reiki-infused jewelry

Ready-Made by Jenn Meng ‘13: Materials-focused jewelry brand offering minimal, everyday pieces that are affordable, hypoallergenic, super strong, and tarnish-free.

Porcelain and Stone by Kimberly Huestis '05: Nautically inspired jewelry

Space Mermaid by Stephanie Carbone '93: Sky and sea inspired jewelry

Urban Witchcraft by Elena Gauvin ‘13: hand fabricated sterling silver gemstone jewelry with a gothic feel 

Wellesley Voices For Disability: Wellesley earring and necklace set, scarf and hat set, fountain pen, bookmark, keyboard covers and more. 

Art & Crafts

A Riot of Color by Susan Eiseman Levitin '85: Hand-dyed yarns

Achiaa Paper and Pen by Rebecca Amponsah ‘08: Handmade paper goods and lettering

Alyssa Sketch’d by Alyssa Torres ‘09: Original illustrations/art and jewelry

Art Without A Frame by Hoi-Fei Mok ‘10: Original illustrations/art from the Dragon Fruit Project, an oral history project of queer and trans Asian Pacific Islanders

Cardiology Cards by Tamar Zmora ‘11: Break up Cards

ChemKnits Creations by Rebecca Brown ‘06: Hand dyed yarns

Connie-Chen.com by Connie Chen ‘17: Calligraphy commissions, prints, bookish apparel, oblique holders, penmanship lessons 

DisaporicArts by Jenny Jean ‘13: Modern digital art prints

Fran Decker by Fran Decker '80: Original paintings, prints, tiles and notecards

Genevieve Calligraphy by Genevieve Goldleaf ‘12: Botanical illustrations and custom calligraphy

The Grey Fox Studio by Katherine Grey '08: Printmaking, drawing & painting

KT Obermanns by KT Obermanns '07: Illustrations, portraits, pinups, and caricature

Leslie Ordal Fibre Arts by Leslie Ordal ‘04: Handspun yarns, handwoven scarves, and other fibre arts. Lessons and workshops in the Toronto, Ontario, area.

Map Attic by Alex Azzi ‘15: Block-printed holiday cards, resin jewelry, vintage map crafts, ceramics, and abstract fluid paintings.

Misc Midwest by Marie Clymer Sarnacki '13: Wooden coasters and fridge magnets with a Wellesley design

Miyun Makes by Gena Hong ‘12: handmade pottery inspired by Korean traditions.

Monica Starr Creations by Monica Starr Feldman ‘14: Leather luggage tags, metal flower bouquets, embossed stationary, scarves, mason jar cozies, metal & wood working

My Big Pink Crafty Box by Sophia Giordano '09: Feminist crafts

Pick Two Pottery by Dana Lamb ‘99: Pottery

Singing Whale Stained Glass by Amy Putnam ‘90: Handmade stained glass art and shattered glass pins, plus chainmaille bracelets and earrings, including Wellesley inspired pieces.

Stephanie Hessler by Stephanie Hessler ‘84: Wellesley inspired prints, apparel, homewares

Tiny Small Joys by Alyssa Kayser-Hirsh '14: handmade books, calendars, notebooks, and planners

Wear I’ve Been by Samaa Ahmed ‘13: Art designs on throw pillows, prints, mugs, tote bags and more.

Kacie Lyn Martinez by Kacie Lyn Martinez ‘09: fiber artist who weaves tapestries and other fiber art 

Photography

Az Bulutlu by Eylul Dogruel ‘07: Skyscapes, travel and abstract photography, prints and merchandise.

JezRebelle by Jess Planos '10: Wellesley photos on prints, apparel, homewares

Meera Graham Photography by Meera Mohan ‘09: Nature Prints for Sale, Headshots & Candid Portraiture

Vero Kherian Photography by Veronique (Chau) Kherian ‘05: Professional Portraits and Headshot Photography in the SF Bay area  

Health & Skincare

Beautycounter by Jen Askin Pollock ‘99: Safer, high-performing products for the whole family

Box Naturals by Irene Kim ‘99: Luxe towelettes with organic essential oils

Cocofloss by Chrystle Cu '05: Flavored dental floss

EmmGerri by Karen and Kristi Jordan: Skincare lotion

Eu’Genia Shea by Naa-Sakle Akuete ‘08: Shea butter 

Just Botanicals by Sonya Funaro ‘00: Handcraft organic, ethically-sourced skincare  

Hubba Hubba by Megan (MJ) Pullins `94: The oldest alternative adult store in New England, stocking everything from corsets, club clothes, lingerie, and all sorts of sex toys.

Lioness by Liz Klinger: Smart vibrator

Maum Goods Co. by Helen (Tak) Kingery ‘01: Handmade essential oil products for wellness and balance

TATCHA Beauty by Victoria Tsai ‘00: Japanese based skincare products

Fashion and Apparel 

A Gifted Baby by Amelia Gray ‘03: Online boutique for babies and little people focussing on small and emerging designers, ethical production practices and women-owned labels. Alums are friends and family, use code “weloveyou20much” for the 20% f&f discount:).

Baby Blast Off by Emily Bennett: Baby clothes

Catie’s Natives by Jennifer Roesch ‘92: Shirts, hoodies, and accessories that show city pride. Developed and designed by Jennifer’s 10 year old daughter. Featured in Time Out NY. 10% of profits support Hartley House which provides social services to residents of Hell’s Kitchen, NY.

Charlotte and Asher by Laura Hahn ‘06: Fashionable diaper bags

Cliobags by Alejandra Zambrano: Handmade bags

Emma Finney by Kristin Bunce ‘00: Bags and clutches

Orange Soda Baby by Dorothy Hsiung '05: Whimsical children's clothing

The Outrage by Claire Schlemme ‘06: Feminist clothing and accessories with a portion of profits to women’s empowerment orgs.

Satya Twena by Satya Twena ‘05: Hats and millinery 

Stoptiques by Olga Vidisheva '07: Apparel and accessories

Wellesley Class of 1990: Purple W capes!  Made of durable material - great for wearing as a cape, using a picnic blanket, keeping your car seat clean, etc.

Wellesley Class of 2003: Wellesley lamp post shirts, baby apparel, and accessories

Wellesley Class of 2007: Wellesley apron (“We can stand the heat!”), baby and kids apparel

Wellesley Club of Columbus, OH: Wellesley insignia whistle

Swells Swag by Sarie Hale-Alper ‘04: Wellesley-themed designs on a variety of apparel and accessories.

Food & Care Packages

ChocolatesU by Amy Camargo ‘94: Chocolates

Ice Cream Jubilee by Victoria Lai ‘01: 6 ice cream pints, shipped nationwide

Montecarlos Estate by Carlota Batres ‘09: Coffee

Off The Beaten Path Food Tours by Lizzie Bell '03: Food tours in MA

Sky Vineyards by Skyla Olds ‘99: Wines

Sunny Exchange by Connie Su ‘09 and Jennifer Lim ‘06: Care packages

Takeout Kit by Rachael Blanchard Lake '07: Shelf-stable meal kit

Tranquil Tuesdays by Charlene Wang '03: Tea and teaware

Toys

My Muse Dolls by Torlisa Jeffery ‘06: Customizable dolls

Animal Care

Newbury Paws by Andrea Fowler '07: Harnesses for large dogs

Wellesley DC Club: Wellesley pet bowls

Domesticat: Rocío Garza Tisdell ‘07: modern-design cat furniture and accessories

Books & Zines

DefinitiveLeigh by Leigh Morrison '15: Feminist zines

Children’s photo books by Cristi Carlstead ‘01: Colors, alphabet and numbers from various countries around the world Romance Novels by Kate Broad ‘06, writing as Rebecca Brooks: sexy contemporary feminist romance

Jambo Book Club by Mijha Butcher Godfrey ‘98: Receive two-three age-appropriate children’s books each month that feature a child of color as the star. Jambo books show children of color in situations where children’s literature rarely places them - making friends, raising pets, loving grandparents and fighting dragons. The books arrive with a personalized letter in boxes beautifully decorated with art that celebrates the joy of childhood. We serve children aged 0-13.

General Home:

Domesticat by Rocío Garza Tisdell ‘07: posters, more products in development

TAIT Design Co. by Audrey Elkus ‘18: Toys + Homewares designed and assembled in Detroit and 100% made in USA. Minimalist, mid-century modern, built to last and make great gifts. Thanks for checking us out : )!

Professional Services

Abilities Dance: Boston-based physically-integrated dance company. Able to perform at holiday parties, fundraisers, and all types of events. Always willing to negotiate rates for W alums. 

Grace Astrology by Elisabeth Grace ‘83: Professionally certified astrologer; life strategist. Astrology is a powerful tool for understanding why you are the way you are; what you need in order to feel fulfilled and why things happen when they do. Improve your timing and your relationships. Based in New York -- available for parties, fundraisers, speaking/teaching engagements.  

Leslie Ordal: Writing and editing, with a specialty in medicine and science but other fields also welcome. Ad copy, journal manuscripts, etc.--my clients have ranged from Big Pharma to artisans to graduate students. Discount on my usual rate for W alums! Makefast Workshop (Maura Atwater ‘08): Prototyping consultancy; hardware, software, and musical instrument design.

[houndtherapy]

Hound Therapy offers professional dog and cat grooming, personal and pet photography, doggy daycare, pet sitting and obedience training by certified groomers and trainers. HUMANITY OVER VANITY. Certified in animal CPR and first aid. We are GREEN. Hound Therapy decor Is reclaimed or recycled. Support Local Business. Knowledgeable in all aspects of animal grooming Obedience training. Bathing cats and dogs. We do not use hash chemicals, aerosols, or colognes on animals. We do use Sulfate & Paraben free product that helps with moisturizing and balancing the coat. Keratin ingredients penetrate the coats cuticle strengthening the hair follicles of the fur as they nourish it from the inside out. Also helps with static as a bonus. Pet sitting.

Contact US: 3509 E. Park Blvd. Suite 100 Plano, TX75074USA (469) 766-0009 houndtherapy@gmail.com https://www.houndtherapy.com/

Services: Dog grooming, Cat grooming, Dog Day care, Pet Photography, Obedience Training, Pet Sitting, Dog nail trims, Dog boarding, Dog de-shedding, Pet grooming, Dog bathing, Pet boarding, pet blowouts, pet salon, pet spa, dog spa, cat spa, dog glamour shots, cat glamour shots, Pet daycare, Pet

Social Links: https://www.instagram.com/houndtherapy/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/HoundTherapy/ https://www.yelp.com/biz/hound-therapy-plano-2 https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-griffin-8861901a6/ https://nextdoor.com/pages/hound-therapy-plano-tx/ https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/tx/plano/hound-therapy-reviews-10014860.htm https://local.yahoo.com/info-222542557-hound-therapy-plano

[justmeinbigd]

40+ Places to Shop Local (Online) for Christmas Gifts on Small Business Saturday and Beyond

All photos by me - Kristina Rowe (and most are pre-pandemic. Apparently I’m not much of a shopper.)

I hope your Thanksgiving was great and I hope you’ve been able to support some small businesses today. Here’s a list I originally posted on Reddit of some Dallas small businesses where you can shop for Christmas gifts or for yourself. 

Online shopping options are linked or described here to give you the safest possible shopping experience. 

I’ll be sharing some more holiday shopping lists featuring local Dallas businesses soon. (Some of us aren’t into Black Friday shopping, even in non-COVID-19 years.) 

Happy Shopping, you’ll feel great when you shop local! 

Toys

Froggie's 5 &10 - Note: Not much can be purchased online. This store will be moving in 2021 so they are offering discounts on pretty much everything in the store.

Toy Maven - Toys, games, novelties, and lots more.

Toys Unique - Games, puzzles, arts & crafts and lots more.

Twig & Olive - Boxed sets that encourage creative play with no batteries, buttons or screens.

Gaming

Common Ground Games - With board games, trading card games, miniatures and paints, it will also someday once again be a great place to meet others and play games. Their week-long small business Saturday sale runs through Sunday, Dec 6.

Madness Games and Comics (Plano) -�� A pop culture mega store with new comics, graphic novels, actions figures, board games, RPGs, and more.

Richardson Bike Mart near White Rock Lake at sunset.

Bikes

Red Star Bicycle Shop - Family-owned bicycle services, repairs, sales, and rentals.

Richardson Bike Mart - Founded in 1962, this local shop has grown into a small chain with stores in Richardson, Frisco, Dallas and McKinney. Their website has multiple holiday gift guides and online shopping.

Oak Cliff Bike Synergy - New and used (some vintage) bicycles.

Preston Hollow Bicycles - Local bike store selling a variety of bikes, accessories, utility items, apparel and more.

Sports/Outdoors

A J Vagabonds - Outdoor & Sporting Goods store in Bishop arts with a motto of “Go Outside Y’all.” They have fun stuff and great gift ideas on their Facebook page, but it looks like most of it cannot be purchased online.

Buddy’s Sporting Goods - In business 40+ years, focus on team sports equipment and apparel.

Dynamic Discs - This company wasn’t “born in Dallas” and isn’t headquartered here, but it’s family-owned and has a small footprint with a strong presence in Carrollton and Lewisville. If you’re into disc sports, you’ll want to shop here.

Not Just Soccer (Dallas & Fort Worth) - locally owned and operated business specializing in everything youth sports.

Play it Again Sports (Plano) - Locally owned, new and used sporting goods and gear.

Ray’s Sporting Goods - The iconic Dallas guns and more store on Singleton.

Plants

North Haven Gardens - Sustained a hard hit from the tornado, got up and dusted itself off and got back into business. Truly deserving of your support!

Ruibal’s Plants - Locally owned and managed with four (beautiful!) locations in Dallas. 

Books

Deep Vellum - A nonprofit publishing house and literary arts organization. Order books they’ve published through DeepVellum.org or request any book you want and they will order it for you through DeepVellum.com.

Half Price Books - OK, they’re a huge chain but they belong to Dallas.

Interabang - Another tornado recovery story, their online shopping system is quite robust.

Lucky Dog Books - Used book stores in Mesquite, Oak Cliff, and East Dallas. No online shopping site, but you can call or email requests to see if they have something you want in stock and they will ship it to you.

The Wild Detectives - To provide an online shopping experience, they’ve leveraged Bookshop.org, which offers a large selection, great service, and supports local bookstores with the proceeds of sales.

Pretty bonbons from Chocolate Secrets.

Chocolates

Cocoa Andre - This Mexican-American family-owned chocolate shop has Mexican chocolates, themed chocolate molds, vegan chocolate, bean to bar chocolates made in house and much more.

Chocolate Secrets - Hand-painted bonbons and truffles are the thing here. They also have a great selection of different chocolate Santas, Christmas trees and other fun holiday-themed chocolates.

Dude, Sweet Chocolate - Chef Katherine Clapner likes peculiar things and unique flavor combos and it shows (in a good way) in the delicious chocolates and treats she makes.

Kate Weiser Chocolate - Oprah made Kate Weiser’s “Carl the Snowman” famous. Handmade and beautifully painted candy bars are special here anytime and the holiday version is no exception.

Pre-pandemic in the gift shop at Nasher Sculpture Center.

Gift Shops/Flower Shops/Stationery

Abundantly Aromatic -  Soaps, body scrubs, Shea Butter lotions, and more all  handmade locally with all-natural ingredients.

Bettie Lou’s - Sister store to Froggie’s Five and Dime, they offer gift baskets online.

Dallas Museum of Art Gift Shop - Posters and postcards along with more practical items like umbrellas and tote bags to fill your life with art.

Lone Chimney Mercantile - Dallas-themed art, kitchen linens with salty sayings, fun accessories and gifts. Order gifts from their online store or choose art prints and canvases from the owner/photographer’s Etsy shop. 

Nasher Sculpture Center Gift Shop - There’s lots here from home goods to jewelry and accessories ranging from affordable to extravagant. 

The T Shop - East Dallas florist with a lovely gift selection.

White Rock Soap Gallery - Soaps, candles, bath and body products and more from more than 50 Texas makers.

Pets

Scotty’s Bowties - Pet bowties, bandanas and more.

Uptown Pet Wear - Doggie wear, leashes, harnesses and more.

Etsy Spring Bash 2018. Love, love, love these gals!!

Apparel and Accessories

Bullzerk - Undoubtedly the coolest store in Dallas, offering entertaining, Dallas-themed stuff. Shop online and consider checking out the Charity Shirts category to also support the Dallas Zoo and other charities.

Favor the Kind - Apparel, accessories, and gifts. Cyber sale thorough Monday.

Lucky Franklin - T-shirts, sweatshirts and more for dog and cat moms, plant lovers and other wonderful people.

Mosaic Makers - Multiple local makers under one roof (and in one online shop!)

Odin’s Leather Goods - Leather bags, belts, and bracelets are just a few of the offerings at this store that went from making products at their dining room table and selling them on Etsy to a  workshop space in Coppell.

Neighborhoods

Bishop Arts District - This website has links to many of the retailers in the Bishop Arts District. Use the links there to check out which ones offer online shopping.

Deep Ellum - Here’s where to shop in Deep Ellum.  Be sure to “Load More” at the bottom of the page to see them all.Use the links there to visit individual shops for online shopping links.

I bought one of these handmade totes from Lucky Franklin and then I won another one (full of locally made goodies) in a Boho Market giveaway a year or so later.

More suggestions:

Buy merchandise (T-shirts, hats, etc.) online from restaurants, bars, small music venues, coffee shops, breweries, distilleries and more. Just visit the full website of your favorite places and look for a link to “shop.” Or if you’re in a position where you can do so, look for a donation or GoFundMe link on their site and help out some of the hardest-hit places. They could use your support. 

Hardware stores under the True Value and Ace brands are usually locally owned and operated. My favorite is Rooster Home and Hardware because George the Rooster lives there. Online shopping is through TrueValue.com. I’m told Stones Ace Hardware in East Dallas has free beer while you shop.

Shop local from dozens of area makers at Etsy Dallas. Use the links on the page to go to the Etsy stores that interest you.

The State Fair of Texas has a holiday shopping site where you can buy State Fair souvenir gifts and shop from State Fair vendors and GoTexan merchants.

Also, here’s a large list of local businesses offering gift cards, compiled by the Dallas Morning News in cooperation with USA Today.

Next week my list of great gifts of wine and spirits from local producers and shops is coming to the Dallas Observer Food and Drink section. Stay tuned!!

[lynccycling]

Humpday got you feeling down? In an uninspired funk and can’t get out? Not feeling motivated to chase your goals? We feel you, it happens. Which is why each LYNC instructor has tools to stay focused & on their game. Take a scroll down motivation lane and maybe pick up a tip or two to get you back on track.

Becca

I loooovvvvveeee taking Teddy on a walk or run (whatever Ted is feeling that day) and leaving my phone at home to be in my own headspace and one with nature if we go through Arbor Hills! I also love to listen to one of my new fav podcast “The Last Podcast on the Left” which is about anything from conspiracy theories to true crime or historical facts (history has ALWAYS been my fav subject) while cooking or cleaning around the house! Maybe its the Mexi in me but cleaning is a huge reliever for me! Clean house = happy lil becky!

Our favorite cleaning products? Mrs. Meyers infused with essential oils.

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Grace

I LOVE getting in my kitchen and cooking a yummy meal. I always start with a trip to the grocery store (probs Trader Joes) to pick up the ingredients.. I'm one of those weird humans that find grocery shopping SO therapeutic. I am currently OBSESSED with Alex from the Defined Dish, who just so happens to be a Dallas gal!  One of my favorites right now is her Shrimp Remoulade Lettuce Cups recipe! Of course, finishing it off with some healthy sweet treats, like this Banana Bread! 

This all happens while I'm listening to one of my favorite light hearted podcasts,  The Lady Gang.  When things get off track, a good belly laugh and a great healthy meal is always a great reset!

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Avery

I start my day with quiet time every morning accompanied by my devotional (@jesuscalling) and podcasts The Porch.

After quiet time, I take about 5-10 minutes every hour at work to listen to a few songs that make me happy (no shocker that Jess Glynne and Betty Who are at the top for me rn)

After work, I love walks on the Katy Trail or White Rock Lake, wine bars (leelas always) and cooking meals with my friends (favorite food blogger is definitely skinny taste). At night I try my hardest to unplug and focus on friends/family as much as possible.

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Andrew

This music definitely isn’t everyone’s thing, but the band August Burns Red has picked me up when I’m down, pushed my butt through tough workouts, gotten me focused at work, you name it, more times than I can count. Their lyrics are really powerful, and they wrote one of my all time favorites:

“Don’t excuse yourself from life today on the pretense of your past.” Let that sink in.

Alt response: I pet my dog or take him for a walk if he’s nearby, or just look at pictures of him on my phone because he’s stinking cute and it’s a good reminder that I need to keep it together for the people who love me and doggos that depend on me.

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Ashleigh

One of my favorite things to do (other than a good sweat sesh on the bike) is surfing. I used to go out to California and surf at San Clemente beach all the time when I was younger. It was a great way to slow down my mind and be focused on the present moment. HOWEVER there aren’t many beaches in d-town so I usually hop into a pool and swim it out or roll out my yoga mat at Hot Body Yoga. It’s a great way to control my breathing and something about being under water is relaxing to me.

When I need to get sh!t done, one of My favorite coffee shops is Global Peace. You can usually find me there writing or emailing with a cappuccino in hand. Also I LOVE coffee. Oh did I say love, I meant I’m addicted. Same thing right?

I’m also a BIG fan of live music and on the weekend if anyone is in town playing I try to make an effort to go out and support. It helps me get out of my head and is a good excuse to just sit back and enjoy some of my favorite tunes. My must see bands are: night riots, jet black alley cat, band Camino, State champs, Greta Van Fleet and Marianas Trench.

Look up concerts near you. One of our favorite venues? Granada theater!

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Liz

I love, and wish I did it more, putting my phone away when I’m home and being in the moment with my family (but of course grabbing it to document Noah dance parties and special memories). Five minutes with my son (if he is napped and fed 🙈) can cure five bad days. 

Between teaching/training clients/and all the hustle I also really enjoy silence. I rarely listen to music while driving nowadays because I’ve found that my mind tries to start programming and/or choreographing whenever a song is playing- so having quiet time to disconnect is important. I also love to jump in a class and go into student mode.

Check out 10 apps to help you put down your phone and get back to the moment.

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Jaz

When the weather is nice, I love doing outdoor activities and being near water! Paddle boarding, swimming, and BBQing are my go-to day-off favs. I also enjoy a homemade coffee in the morning to kick start my day and going out back to wake up and check on my pepper plants and succulents. Planting is very peaceful to me. I love watching things grow.

Check out this 101 on starting your own herb garden.

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Sydney

Outside of teaching, I love group fitness and enjoy taking classes at LYNC and around Dallas to let out nervous energy. I like to decompress by reading, listening to podcasts, and listening to LANY and John Mayer.

I listen to The Morning Toast and The Lady Gang - totally light hearted, but makes me bust out laughing in the car and puts me in a good mood before teaching.

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Kayla

To stay motivated, I read... a lot. I read everything from nonfiction true crime stories and self development books to fiction novels to self-published articles on Medium. You can catch me searching my inbox at the Barnes & Noble check-out line for a coupon for a new book or sitting at Mudleaf Coffee shop (a super cool space in Plano) with headphones in listening to Audible.

My go-to read is anything by Brené Brown (Daring Greatly is my fave). She is a vulnerability researcher, specializing in shame. (wow, couldn’t we all dive a little deeper into that?) 

I also love to listen to Gary Vee’s Podcast to keep me focused in the business world. He touches on marketing tactics, struggles in business and life, leadership development and more–and TBH he’s just brutally honest and sometimes I just need a good kick in the ass and for someone to tell it to me straight.

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Shannon

I like to take 10-15 minutes out of my morning to meditate to help level set me at the beginning of my day. My favorite app is “10% Happier” because it has courses, guided and unguided meditations and you can customize the time to whatever fits your schedule!

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Kelsey

I love a good story. I’m old school and really enjoy going to the bookstore and getting a physical copy. Lately my favorites have been ‘This Is How It Always Is’ and ‘Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine’. Put it with quiet time outside in the sun or snuggled with coffee and my puppy in the morning - foolproof feel good.

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Olivia

I love going to Title Boxing to punch out all of my feelings. Whether I need a release or am excited and want to celebrate an hour of hard work–gallons of sweat at Title is always the move for me. 

I also love to take long walks on the weekends with my fave gal pals, Allison, Leina, Izzy, and Madeline to La La Land Kind Cafe or Bird Bakery. We almost always indulge in a sweet treat which for me is the perfect way to celebrate a week well done.

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Izzy

The main thing I do at the moment to recharge is get a good nights sleep. Being in bed by 9pm really excites me, haha!

Also, getting some vitamin D and tanning by the pool on the weekends always puts me in a good mood. I usually end up falling asleep there too lol.

Catch this guided sleep meditation for a little shut eye to keep your mind right and our favorite SPF to lay out in the sun.

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Lindsey

I’d say personal time is the best way to recharge for me! I love walking the Katy Trail while getting out for some sunshine or hot yoga. Hot yoga is such a release for me because It not only calms the mind but gives me a good stretch! My favorite hot Yoga is at Core Power.

I’ve recently been loving EVERY recipe from The Defined Dish who makes clean/easy/whole30 approved meals. Her meals are so tasty and simple to make! Feel good guilty treat that is guaranteed to make any day better is ice cream!

Calling my family always lifts me up and keeps me rooted!  I also really try to put my phone down while at home for 30 minutes at the end of the day and engage in something other than scrolling mindlessly on social media which helps me reconnect with myself and surroundings.\

[tesaonews]

Câmera em aviões da American Airlines gera preocupação em passageiros

Uma foto publicada no Twitter gerou uma polêmica sobre sistemas de entretenimento de bordo em aviões. Ao viajar em um Boeing 777-200 da American Airlines, o engenheiro Sri Ray notou que a telinha à sua frente tinha um pequeno buraco, o que parecia ser uma câmera. Ao postar a foto do aparelho na rede social, gerou preocupações sobre privacidade. Procurada pelo BuzzFeed News, a companhia aérea confirmou que a peça é realmente uma câmera, mas que ainda não tinha uso.

Por que uma empresa teria um item em seu conjunto de entretenimento que não tivesse utilidade? A American Airlines explica que o pacote de entretenimento oferecido pela companhia já vem com câmera de fábrica, sem possibilidade de tirar a peça, mesmo que não haja utilização pela companhia aérea. Assim, ela simplesmente não ativa o hardware em nenhum de seus voos.

A proposta é já preparar a frota para futuras atualizações. Uma delas seria permitir o controle por movimentos de mão, atualmente feito somente por toque na tela.

Outra companhia que também já conta com o mesmo sistema é a Singapore Airlines. Uma passageira também registrou o mesmo equipamento em um voo da empresa e divulgou a foto no Twitter. Na rede social, a assessoria de imprensa da companhia aérea também informou que, apesar de existir a peça, ela também está desligada.

Just found this interesting sensor looking at me from the seat back on board of Singapore Airlines. Any expert opinion of whether this a camera? Perhaps @SingaporeAir could clarify how it is used? pic.twitter.com/vy0usqruZG

— Vitaly Kamluk (@vkamluk) 17 de fevereiro de 2019

“Nós gostaríamos de informar que alguns dos novos sistemas de entretenimento de bordo fornecidos como equipamento original de seus fabricantes têm câmeras embutidas em seu hardware. Estas câmeras foram desativadas em nossos aviões e não há planos para desenvolvimento de ferramentas que as usem”, disse a Singapore Airlines em comunicado.

Após preocupações de passageiros, um usuário sugeriu no Twitter uma solução simples, que grande parte das pessoas já fazem: colocar uma proteção física tampando a câmera.

Preocupações

Recentemente, aparelhos com lentes e microfones escondidos foram motivo de debate. Isso porque alguns itens, como uma boneca Barbie, estavam vindo com microfone escondido, sem motivo aparente.

Ainda, o CloudPets, aparelho usado para acompanhar seu animal de estimação, teve um grande vazamento de dados de 2 milhões de usuários, com arquivos gravados sobre interação entre pais, filhos e seus pets.

Leia aqui a matéria original

O post Câmera em aviões da American Airlines gera preocupação em passageiros apareceu primeiro em Tesão News.

source https://tesaonews.com.br/noticia-tesao/camera-em-avioes-da-american-airlines-gera-preocupacao-em-passageiros/

[woodfloorrefinishingservice]

Restore your hardwood floors

Let Us Help You Today

Hardwood floors are loved for their resiliency and beauty. They provide rooms with warmth and an elegant look that might otherwise be missing. You want to keep your hardwood looking at its best throughout the years and maybe it is starting to show its age. Not to worry, our experienced technicians are available to help you determine which service may be required to return your floor to its former glory. Our team of experienced professionals will be sure to provide only the most exceptional service.

We use only top of the line equipment to make sure that your hardwood floor gets the quality care it deserves. You can call or reach out using our online contact form to get a quote or talk to a customer service agent to get more details. Our team is ready to help you fulfill your vision today.

When to Restore Existing Hardwood

There are a couple of signs to look out for when determining if your hardwood floor requires professional restoration or maintenance. While hardwood floors are more resistant to stains and damage than other materials, they are still subject to the laws of time, and the sooner you fix any problem areas that you notice, the more likely you will be able to restore your hardwood fully. Accidents also happen, and we can help you get your floor back in shape efficiently and at a cost-effective rate. Below are some frequent appearance changes that indicate it is time to replace or restore your hardwood floors.

Visible Wear

The most obvious is wearing down on the floors surface finish. If there are scratches, indentations, or grooves that have been accidentally marked into the floorboards or the finish, you will want to get it smoothed out and refinished. There may be a worn down or a discolored area where the most foot traffic travels across our floor. In areas that get a lot of direct sunlight, the UV may also create a washed-out, faded look. These are all signs that it is time to get your hardwood refinished.

Crowning and Cupping

Deformation of the wood and floor are two common signs of damage. Cupping is caused by water damage warping the wood and drawing in the sides, creating a sort of u-shaped to the board. Crowning is the opposite appearance where the center of the board is pushed out and upward. Moisture imbalance within the flooring over time will cause both of these issues to crop up. Our team will be able to figure out the cause of the moisture and help you determine whether the flooring can be saved.

Tilting

We can also help with floor tilting caused by natural or accidental damage. This may be caused by buckling where one part of the wood has entirely disengaged from the floor, or there could be several other causes. No matter what, we will be able to get it quickly sorted out for you.

Stains

There are many kinds of stains, and some are easier to remove than others. Most stains caused by pet accidents or spills are easy enough to clean up due to the hard surface finish, but if left for a significant period of time, then the stain can settle deep into the wood.

Fire and Water Damage

Accidents and natural disasters can create a big problem for owners of homes with hardwood floors. Both fire and water can cause damage that ends up deep in the wood. If you are dealing with significant damage, we will be able to come out and determine if it can be salvaged or must be replaced. Our certified technicians will do everything possible to make sure your floor is returned to its original look.

Restoration Services Offered

We have over 50 years of combined experience providing top quality services to the North Texas area. Our services include design, installation, custom installation, dustless sanding, finishing or refinishing and maintenance of all types of wood and hardwood flooring. Each section below goes into further detail of what to expect from each service.

Design

Your choice of flooring design will set the entire tone for your home. Our team of certified designers will help you set up a budget for your flooring and determine which materials and look are right for your lifestyle. Whether you are remodeling your entire home floor or merely re-flooring one room, we will help you find the perfect product for the design you want to achieve.

Installation

Sometimes there is no restoring a floor that has been too severely damaged, and you will need a full installation to replace the hardwood. This is an excellent opportunity to decide on a different finish or wood material, which might brighten up your space. We can assist you in figuring out the best materials from all the options available. Our installation process is held to the highest standard allowing you to remain worry-free.

Custom Installation

No matter what type of wood or finish combination you choose to have installed into your home, we are able to do it for you at a reasonable rate. Our team uses only the best materials for the job and will follow your instructions to guarantee that you get the finished product you desire. Below are a few of the custom flooring options you can choose from when designing your hardwood floor.

Parquet: wooden mosaics composed of geometric shapes which can include various colors and an endless variety of designs.

Hardwood with sound control features installed to cut down on impact noises like upstairs footsteps.

Engineered unfinished hardwood floors are better able to withstand the various temperature, and moisture changes better than traditional hardwood.

Restoring the Finish and Refinishing Existing Hardwood

To restore the existing hardwood floor’s finish surface, we will be able to breathe new life into the wood that may have been damaged or misused over the years. Re-coating or refinishing is a great way to remove minimal scratches and dings as well as stains that have not fully seeped into the wood. Removing the old coating, sanding away any visible problem areas, and then resealing with a new finish can usually get the job done.

Some of our restoring and refinishing can be done in a single day. If you choose to use our Bona Restore process, you will be guaranteed a clean, quick restoration job. Let us bring your existing hardwood looking brand new again.

Professional Maintenance

Maintenance of hardwood floors finishes can involve either sanding down a damaged finish and then refinishing or putting a finish over a newly installed hardwood. Sometimes incorrect installation can cause you to have to replace your hardwood floors.  We will be able to fix it and save you on more expensive restoration down the road.

The Bona Restoration Process

This is a specialized process that includes using a machine to clean the area in need of restoration, followed by abrading the current finish and applying a new finish. You will have your choice of finish from the highest to lowest level of durability. The Bona Restore does not require wholly sanding the hardwood, and it usually takes a much shorter time to complete. There is no dust to worry about, so cleanup is a breeze, and there will be no irritants in the air. This is accomplished by using the most highly advanced dust extractor on the market today. The Bona Restore will ensure that your air quality remains healthy and debris-free throughout the entire restoration process.

Service Area

We service the North Texas area, which includes the following.

Dallas

Plano

Frisco

McKinney

Allen

Richardson

Murphy

Fairview

Coppell

Flower Mound

Carrollton

Farmers Branch

Prosper

Celina

Westlake

Southlake

Highland Park

University Park

Irving

Lewisville

A Few Tips for Maintaining Your Hardwood Flooring

A well-maintained hardwood can last 20 or 30 years without needing a refinish, barring accidents or weather damage. Below is a helpful list of tips for you to keep in mind when maintaining your flooring so that it will be able to last longer between refinishes. With the right care, you will notice your floor looking healthier for longer. These are general hardwood care tips.

Clean all spills and pet accidents quickly and thoroughly to stop the risk of them deep staining your wood.

Use furniture pads to keep chairs and couch feet from scuffing up the finish. This is especially useful in kitchen areas around dining tables where chairs are more likely to scratch the hardcover surface.

Area rugs are ideal for places with the highest level of foot traffic (e.g., in the front hall, kitchen, bathroom, etc.), which will give the floor a higher resistance to time-related wear.

Do not wet mop. Use hardwood floor specific cleaning supplies to get it looking shiny and clean. Mopping the same as you would a tile or linoleum floor will cause damage to the hardwood and the finish.

If it appears too late for the tricks to help your floor, do not hesitate to contact us for assistance. Call or reach out to us today for a free quote or to acquire more information on the hardwood flooring services we provide!

[basinwatersolution]

No Pool? Fun Water Activities For Kids During the Texas Summer

Don’t have a pool? That doesn’t mean your kids have to be stuck inside to stay cool and resort to indoor activities to be entertained. They can still enjoy the Texas summer heat with splashes of fun right in your backyard. It’s time to get outside and spark imagination, boost creativity, promote fun exercise, and get a little Vitamin D. 

Whether you want to set up a water olympics tournament, minute-to-win-it water games, or simply have outdoor activities to stay cool, check out these fun things to do with water and beat the heat! 

Slip and Slide Games

Photo credit: O’Fallon First UMC

Slip and Slide Kickball — Set up four Slip and Slide tarps with “bases” at the end of each slide to create a kickball field, similar to a baseball field diamond. Then play ball! 

Slip and Slide Bowling — Add objects at the end of a slip and slide tarp and play “human bowling,” where you use your body to slide and knock down the objects. 

Slip and Slide Relay — Using one slip and slide, two people race to the end at the same time, or you can add two slip and slides parallel to each other for a relay race. There can be objects (like a sponge, flag, etc.) at the end of the slide that each member of the team has to retrieve and bring back to the next person in line. The team who finishes the quickest wins. 

  Water Balloon Games

Photo credit: Fraiche Restaurant LA

Water Balloon Toss — This traditional game requires a team of two, and can become a tournament with multiple teams. Starting out a couple feet apart, toss the water balloon to your teammate. If they successfully catch the balloon without popping it, both of you take a step back and toss the balloon again. See who gets the furthest without popping the balloon. 

Water Balloon Volleyball — If you have a net or horizontal barrier, you can play 2-player volleyball with another team. Using a towel to catch the water balloon as it comes over the “net,” your team slings it back over to the other side. Whoever pops the balloon loses.

Water Balloon Corn Hole — Don’t have corn hole boards? You can use any type of board and just add tape for targets. Those standing on the other end of the board will get a good splash!

Water Balloon Piñata — Attach a water balloon to a string and tie to a tree branch. Grab a bat or other stick and make sure the participant is blind folded. Each participant gets 3 chances to burst the balloon.

Water Balloon Baseball — You don’t need a big backyard to “play ball” when you use water balloons. It’s a great way to practice your swing!

Water Balloon Dodgeball — It’s exactly what you picture with a regular dodgeball. Dodge the water balloon or catch it without letting it burst. If you let the balloon pop or get hit with a water balloon, you’re out. Last one standing wins. 

Water Balloon Hide-and-Seek — It’s the outdoor game of hide-and-seek, but if you get found, you get hit with a water balloon. 

Water Balloon Football — A friendly game of tag football just got better with water balloons. You can twist this game however you want, but one option is to use water balloons to “tag” a player with the ball that would act as a tackle. Or you can play flag football but protect the water balloon and try to reach the end zone without bursting it.  

  Water Tag Games

Photo credit: Best Apps for Kids

Water Gun Tag — Tag, you’re it! You can play water tag however you want. If you get sprayed with the water, allow 5 seconds for the other player to run and it’s your turn to chase. 

Duck, Duck, Splash — The traditional game of Duck, Duck, Goose but everyone gets a little splash in this game. The person going around the circle will splash a little water on everyone’s head, but the person they pick to chase them will get the whole cup dumped on their head! They have to chase them around the circle and try to catch them before they sit down in their spot. If they don’t beat them to it, they are now “it.”

Water Gun Sharks and Minnows — Assign someone to be the “shark.” When the shark says “go,” all of the minnows run across the yard to the other side before they are tagged by the shark’s water gun. If they get tagged by the water, they become a shark and try to tag minnows the next round. Or you can set up a sprinkler in the yard to ensure everyone gets wet as they run across and instead of using a water gun for the shark, the shark has to run and tag the minnow.

  Water Paint

Photo credit: Mas and Pas Parenting Village

Tie Dye Shirts — The goal is to not get wet while tie dying t=shirts, but it’s a fun activity using water nonetheless. 

Ice Painting — Freeze paint into an ice tray and take them out to use as cold paint on a canvas, You can also do this with watered down chalk and freezing it to use on the sidewalk. 

  Water Hose Games

Photo credit: iSchoolsConsortium

Sprinkler Twister — The game of Twister just got slippery. Wadding a water sprinkler nearby the game tarp is a fun and cool challenge to this twisted game. 

Water Silhouette — Have someone stand next to a dry exterior wall (preferably brick) and gently spray the person down standing directly in front of them for a couple seconds. When they move away from the wall, their silhouette will show in the dry part of the wall. A fun photo op! 

Water Limbo — Use a water hose to do the limbo! If you get wet, you’re out. Last one left wins.

Water Sprinkler Jump — Young children love this simple activity of running and jumping over a sprinkler head.  

  Hydration Stations

Photo credit: Chegg Play

Flavored Water Competition — Everyone gets creative to make their own version of a flavored water, then each person does a taste test to vote on their favorite water. A fun way to stay hydrated! Winner gets to pick which ice cream, popsicle, fro yo, or snow cone stand they want to visit for the afternoon. 

Popsicle Station — Dish out several fruits, treats, juices and syrups for everyone to make their own popsicles. You can add each of their concoctions to a popsicle mold or ice cube slot to freeze and serve later.  

Cold Dessert Bar — Pick the main dish (ice cream, slushies, frozen yogurt, etc) and put out bowls of toppings to make their own fun cold dessert to stay cool. 

Water Pong — This family-friendly version is a fun way to stay hydrated. Set 10 cups in triangle form at each end of a table and fill each one with water (gatorade, lemonade, etc). Each person has to get a ping pong ball into a cup at the other end of the table. If a ball lands in the cup, the other person has to drink what’s in the cup and remove the cup. The person who gets a ball in every cup wins the game. 

  Productive Water Activities

Photo credit: Free Range Kids

Wash The Car — Washing the car by hand can be a fun activity for kids to get soapy, wet and clean. They’ll never know it’s a chore! 

Water The Garden — Just because you’re watering the plants, doesn’t mean you can’t get wet and stay cool too! 

Wash The Dog — Not only will this fun activity make your fur baby feel super loved, but you’ll also love the way your pet smells once you’re done giving him a scrub. 

  Why does clean water matter?

Depending on where you live, your home’s water system could have high levels of chlorine, iron, or other contaminants that simply need reverse osmosis, water softener, or water filtration services. Even if you live in the city. 

Clean and safe water isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity for your health and longevity of your home’s water systems. Basin Water Solutions offers the best water softeners and whole house water filtration systems in Texas with exemplary 5-star review ratings. Our family-owned business has been serving homeowners in North Texas, Central Texas, and West Texas areas with customer service as our number one priority. We serve:

North Texas:

Denton

McKinney

Frisco

Plano

and surrounding areas.

Central Texas:

San Marcos

Kyle

Buda

New Braunfels

and surrounding areas.

West Texas:

Midland

Odessa

Rankin

McCamey

Crane

and surrounding areas.

  Call us today! We’re ready to help your home have the safest, cleanest and healthiest water possible. 

[pawoasispetresort]

Quality Dog Boarding in Plano Texas

Looking for reliable dog boarding in Plano, Texas? Paw Oasis Pet Resort offers a safe, comfortable environment where your dog can enjoy personalized care, playtime, and relaxation. Our experienced team is dedicated to making your pet's stay stress-free and enjoyable. Book with us today for quality dog boarding in Plano, Texas!

[driftwork]

a non-existant story - (three paragraphs)...

I have a no longer existing story I would like to tell in truncated version. It had a title which I have completely forgotten, and a replacement title which may be incorrectly remembered The Afterwork of an Engineer.   I wrote it twenty years ago or perhaps more, over a three month period between a village in Umbria and a small town to the north-west of London. I am unsure what interested me any longer; memories, meetings and the uncertainty that my career made any sense as I flew between the USA and Europe.  The memories are mixed up with fantasy and my imaginary and (as a consequence) are completely unreliable;  the work itself was partly to document the work and the solitude of the engineer, which is always part of an engineers existence. It began as a story and ended up as a novel in three parts, a novella really. At the time I sent it to a couple of publishers who found it difficult and strange, it was probably a little indecipherable.  At the time I didn't understand why they thought like that, only now as an ex-engineer do I understand what was meant.  I accept that it has little or no value at all.

I left a copy of the story in the plan chest drawer, and a couple of un-annotated electronic copies on  computers, I wondered at the time if leaving it untouched might help the story. I ignored it and let it age. Years later I found an electronic copy, which emerged from the depths of an old documents folder, like a forgotten systems specification which you look at after a few years and think that this is not dissimilar to the work you are about to embark on and wonder how much of the document is reusable. Printing it, holding it in your hands seemed like a justification, the guilt fades away (why do writers feel guilt over their texts?).  I rewrite a few sentences, perhaps as many as twenty. And added a few ending paragraphs. After some discussions I took it with me over the summer on various work trips to Texas and promised to deliver the changed version in the autumn to a friend. So that summer I am working in Texas (meetings, more specifications, project management, code, financial negotiations, presentations, meetings and meetings, my Lamy pen writing and drawing on notebooks...)  I felt that the story would be more cheerful if i was on a nice holiday by the sea, perhaps on the edges of an African desert, rather than in the ever-growing city of Dallas, after all it had been alone for a long time. Finally I read it again in early September, sitting outside with a baking hot wind blowing in from the west bringing in a storm,  the place I was staying in was dry, windy and had weird neo-classical architectural fountains that did not in any sense belong there, I wasn't sure what was happening in the story as i read and reread it. The hotel had the soft groans of the lift which was just the other side of the wall, late at night drunken Americans would pass noisily by the door. Occasionally people would come to visit me and we'd eat in the restaurant downstairs, banal food, but the Vodka Martinis were lovely. Over the parkways was a field in which the local farmer kept some pet long horn cattle, which during the day would stand in the shade of the trees and flick their tails with contempt. I was alone most of the time when I wasn't in the office, i know that for certain and in my solitude the machines and the occasional person would speak to me. But they always failed to communicate because its impossible across such a content/expressional divide. The semiotics of presence always failed, our collective semiotics were too different, our tactics always failing. The headlights of cars passing down the all too straight roads, occasional motorbikes roaring  as their light burned away the night. Often during this time I suffered from insomnia, unable to sleep I would read or flick through terrible late night TV. Reading books that I bought from large bookshops in the strip malls. Sometimes I would get up and go outside to walk around the edges of the hotels property, across the field in the pitch black, along the roads to the office buildings and mass housing estates. There was an electronic advertising board across the fields which I walked to at 3am one morning to try and decipher the advertisements. But some acts of reading are simply impossible. I received many messages during the night but few of them made any real sense. I listened and listened.  Perhaps it was because of the number of messages I received that the story faded away. The new messages, some I admit were from work, but mostly they were communicated by cars driving romantically in the middle of the night to some assignation or other. Trying to decipher them, standing like a parasite listening to A and B attempting to communicate,  I was the noise interfering with their communication.  They were miserable messages for the most part, that was obviously certain. Hence autumn approached and it was time to leave for the final time and return home. That day there arrived with the western wind a violent storm. In the early evening there were Tornadoes a few miles to the north.  Enormous clouds travelling eastwards across the plateaux, the hotel shook with the noise of the violent wind and the sounds of machinery and humans was gone. I took the novel outside and threw the pages into the wind which took them high into the sky.  I have no idea why.

More than a decade has passed since then, I don't go (any longer) to engineering meetings, talking to the men and women of the liquid modern is no longer part of my everyday life. Sometimes I think of the story, it had elements of multicolored ink, like a dreamwork. It stands behind a veil that I cannot see through because its too faded and misty. There is a screen on which the text can be seem in black and white.  Associated with it are the people I worked with in Plano, Texas, not that any of them exist their any longer or if they do they are not the people I knew. Either way to everyone who was there at the time I offer this no longer existing novel as a gift...

[wellesleyunderground]

WU’s Holiday Guide to Wellesley-Owned Businesses November 2017

The Good Supply / Image Credit: The Good Supply

Looking for your holiday gifts? Check out Wellesley Underground’s crowd-sourced list of Wellesley-owned businesses (updated for 2017)! Email us if you want to get added to the list! Compiled by Hoi-Fei Mok ‘10, WU Managing Editor.

Pinterest Board of the Shops (incomplete)

Mala Shah Design / Image credit: Victoria Way Photography

Jewelry

Alumnati Jewelry by Stephanie Christie ‘00: Handmade Wellesley lamppost earrings

Ecru Collection by Kara Templeton '12: Jewelry, home decor, and stationery

Kindred Spirit Studios by Michelle Davis Petelinz '78: Jewelry, home decor

Lauren Wimmer Jewelry by Lauren Wimmer ‘98: Jewelry

Mala Shah Design by Mala Shah ‘98: Metalworks and Reiki-infused jewelry

New Mermaid by Jenn Meng ‘13:  Statement-making, playfully-elegant vintage jewels

Porcelain and Stone by Kimberly Huestis '05: Nautically inspired jewelry

Space Mermaid by Stephanie Carbone '93: Sky and sea inspired jewelry

Wellesley Voices For Disability: Wellesley earring and necklace set, scarf and hat set, fountain pen, bookmark, keyboard covers and more.

Hoi-Fei Mok / Image Credit: Art Without a Frame

Art & Crafts

A Riot of Color by Susan Eiseman Levitin '85: Hand-dyed yarns

Achiaa Paper and Pen by Rebecca Amponsah ‘08: Handmade paper goods and lettering

Alyssa Sketch’d by Alyssa Torres ‘09: Original illustrations/art and jewelry

Art Without A Frame by Hoi-Fei Mok ‘10: Original illustrations/art from the Dragon Fruit Project, an oral history project of queer and trans Asian Pacific Islanders

Bag End Bags by Alexis Dinniman: Knitting/crochet project bags, pouches, and pencil cases

Connie-Chen.com by Connie Chen ‘17: Calligraphy commissions, prints, bookish apparel, oblique holders, penmanship lessons

DisaporicArts by Jenny Jean ‘13: Modern digital art prints

Fran Decker by Fran Decker '80: Original paintings, prints, tiles and notecards

Genevieve Calligraphy by Genevieve Goldleaf ‘08: Botanical illustrations and custom calligraphy

The Grey Fox Studio by Katherine Grey '08: Printmaking, drawing & painting

KT Obermanns by KT Obermanns '07: Illustrations, portraits, pinups, and caricature

Misc Midwest by Marie Clymer Sarnacki '13: Wooden coasters and fridge magnets with a Wellesley design

Monica Starr Creations by Monica Starr Feldman ‘14: Leather luggage tags, metal flower bouquets, embossed stationary, scarves, mason jar cozies, metal & wood working

My Big Pink Crafty Box by Sophia Giordano '09: Feminist crafts

Pick Two Pottery by Dana Lamb ‘99: Pottery

Singing Whale Stained Glass by Amy Putnam ‘90: Handmade stained glass art and shattered glass pins

Stephanie Hessler by Stephanie Hessler ‘84: Wellesley inspired prints, apparel, homewares

Tiny Small Joys by Alyssa Kayser-Hirsh '14: handmade books, calendars, notebooks, and planners

Wear I’ve Been by Samaa Ahmed ‘13: Art designs on throw pillows, prints, mugs, tote bags and more.

Photography

Az Bulutlu by Eylul Dogruel ‘07: Skyscapes, travel and abstract photography, prints and merchandise.

JezRebelle by Jess Planos '10: Wellesley photos on prints, apparel, homewares

Meera Graham Photography by Meera Mohan ‘09: Nature Prints for Sale, Headshots & Candid Portraiture

Maum Goods Co. / Image Credit: Maum Goods Co

Health & Skincare

Box Naturals by Irene Kim ‘99: Luxe towelettes with organic essential oils

Cocofloss by Chrystle Cu '05: Flavored dental floss

EmmGerri by Karen and Kristi Jordan ‘94: Skincare lotion

Eu’Genia Shea by Naa-Sakle Akuete ‘08: Shea butter

Herbs of Grace by Elena Mironciuc ‘13: Homemade soaps and candles

Just Botanicals by Sonya Funaro ‘00: Handcraft organic, ethically-sourced skincare  

Lioness by Liz Klinger ‘10: Smart vibrator

Maum Goods Co. by Helen (Tak) Kingery ‘01: Handmade essential oil products for wellness and balance

TATCHA Beauty by Victoria Tsai ‘00: Japanese based skincare products

The Outrage / Image Credit: The Outrage

Fashion and Apparel

A Gifted Baby by Amelia Gray ‘03: Online boutique for babies and little people focussing on small and emerging designers, ethical production practices and women-owned labels. Alums are friends and family, use code “weloveyou20much” for the 20% f&f discount:).

Baby Blast Off by Emily Bennett: Baby clothes

Catie’s Natives by Jennifer Roesch ‘92: Shirts, hoodies, and accessories that show city pride. Developed and designed by Jennifer’s 10 year old daughter. 10% of profits support Hartley House which provides social services to residents of Hell’s Kitchen, NY.

Charlotte and Asher by Laura Hahn ‘06: Fashionable diaper bags

Cliobags by Alejandra Zambrano: Handmade bags

Emma Finney by Kristin Bunce ‘00: Bags and clutches

Orange Soda Baby by Dorothy Hsiung '05: Whimsical children's clothing

The Outrage by Claire Schlemme ‘06: Feminist clothing and accessories with a portion of profits to women’s empowerment orgs.

Satya Twena by Satya Twena ‘05: Hats and millinery

Stoptiques by Olga Vidisheva '07: Apparel and accessories

Wellesley Class of 1990: Purple W capes!  Made of durable material - great for wearing as a cape, using a picnic blanket, keeping your car seat clean, etc.

Wellesley Class of 2003: Wellesley lamp post shirts, baby apparel, and accessories

Wellesley Class of 2007: Wellesley apron (“We can stand the heat!”), baby and kids apparel

Wellesley Club of Columbus, OH: Wellesley insignia whistle

Sunny Exchange / Image Credit: Sunny Exchange

Food & Care Packages

ChocolatesU by Amy Camargo ‘94: Chocolates

Ice Cream Jubilee by Victoria Lai ‘01: 6 ice cream pints, shipped nationwide

Monte Carlo Estate by Carlota Batres ‘09: Coffee

Off The Beaten Path Food Tours by Lizzie Bell '03: Food tours in MA

Sky Vineyards by Skyla Olds ‘99: Wines

Sunny Exchange by Connie Su ‘09 and Jennifer Lim ‘06: Care packages

Takeout Kit by Rachael Blanchard Lake '07: Shelf-stable meal kit

Tranquil Tuesdays by Charlene Wang '03: Tea and teaware

My Muse Dolls Co-founder Amaka Cypriana Uzoh and her doll / Image Credit:  My Muse Dolls

Toys

My Muse Dolls by Torlisa Jeffery ‘06: Customizable dolls

Animal Care

Newbury Paws by Andrea Fowler '07: Harnesses for large dogs

Wellesley DC Club: Wellesley pet bowls

Domesticat: Rocío Garza Tisdell ‘07: modern-design cat furniture and accessories

Books & Zines

DefinitiveLeigh by Leigh Morrison '15: Feminist zines

Children’s photo books by Cristi Carlstead ‘01: Colors, alphabet and numbers from various countries around the world

A Tiger’s Heart by Aisling Juanjuan Shen ‘05 DS: Memoir Romance Novels by Kate Broad ‘06, writing as Rebecca Brooks: sexy contemporary feminist romance

General Home:

Domesticat by Rocío Garza Tisdell ‘07: posters, more products in development

Makefast Workshop by Maura Atwater ‘08: LightNudge barometer, more products forthcoming

Professional Services

Abilities Dance: Boston-based physically-integrated dance company. Able to perform at holiday parties, fundraisers, and all types of events. Always willing to negotiate rates for W alums.

Grace Astrology by Elisabeth Grace ‘83: Astrology consulting

Leslie Ordal: Writing and editing, with a specialty in medicine and science but other fields also welcome. Ad copy, journal manuscripts, etc.--my clients have ranged from Big Pharma to artisans to graduate students. Discount on my usual rate for W alums!

[daddyslittlejuliet]

How to Handle Holiday Stress in Dogs

The post How to Handle Holiday Stress in Dogs by Arden Moore appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

The holidays are right around the corner, but your dog is acting anything but jolly. He’s lost the jingle in his step. Gone is his ready-quick grin, the goofy barks and the jubilant dash to fetch a favorite tossed toy. Just like us, holiday stress in dogs can extend past the festive ushering of the new year.

Consider this: Your loyal canine pal is so tuned into you, your emotions and your schedule. But the comforting predictability of the household routine has been upended by your erratic comings and goings, the arrival of a large tree in the living room with don’t-touch ornaments, the smell of oh-so-tempting goodies from the oven and the not-so-welcomed appearance of strange and sometimes obnoxious people referred to as “relatives” by you. That’s a doggone lot to deal with, especially for your confused canine.

Look for these clues of holiday stress in dogs (although they could also be due to a health concern, so consult with your veterinarian):

Boisterous behavior might be a sign of holiday stress in dogs. Photography ©caliburn82 | Thinkstock.

Loss of appetite

Lack of energy and interest

Lip licking and/or yawning

Becoming boisterous or whining

Hiding, cowering or ignoring your “come” calls

Chewing up sofa pillows or comforters that he has left untouched before the holidays

Turning into a Velcro dog, shadowing your every step in the house

Piddling and pooping in the house after years of stellar potty habits

If you don’t address these behavioral changes, the doggie blues can continue after the holidays when you return back to work and the kids head back to school. This is especially true for highly social dogs who welcome the holidays because they know they will get more attention in the forms of petting, cuddling and, especially, treats from you and visitors. Suddenly, they find themselves home alone.

Whether you plan to take a holiday vacation sans your dog or intend to stay home and fill your house with lots of guests, Dogster offers these effective solutions to prevent Yule time from turning into yowl time.

How to ease holiday stress in dogs if you’re taking a vacation without your pup

If you plan to take a dog-free vacation, hire a professional pet sitter or take your dog to a reputable boarding facility. The choice depends on your dog’s health, age, temperament and experience with other dogs.

“Dogs who are shy, quiet and get intimidated by the presence of other dogs or loud barking will likely prefer to be at home,” says Leni Kaplan, D.V.M., a veterinarian at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, New York. “Dogs who can handle changes in their routines and environment, who are used to being around other dogs and especially those who go to doggie daycare are best candidates for boarding.”

In choosing a professional pet sitter, consider one who belongs to a professional pet sitting organization, such as the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters and Pet Sitters International. Members of these organizations must show proof of being licensed and bonded. This is not the time to save money by hiring the neighbor kid or an untrained house sitter.

“A professional pet sitter is prepared for emergencies and, in many ways, can be like Santa Claus to your dog,” says Joette White, president of Park Cities Pet Sitter in Dallas, voted the 2016 Business of the Year by NAPPS. “A pet sitter will feed, walk, play and love on your dog as well as pick up your mail, water the plants and take out the trash. We do all we can to let your dog know that he is loved and well-cared for during your absence. Plus, your dog gets to stay in his own home.” Boarding your dog — or taking him for doggie day care — are options if you have an energetic, social dog or one who acts up when there is a change in household routine.

“We get requests from people who know that the in-laws coming for the holidays don’t want dogs in the house or may be allergic to dogs or insist on bringing their dog who does not get along with your dog,” says Ash Vaughan, owner of Canine Republic Resort in Plano, Texas. His company was recently voted best boarding facilities by Plano Magazine. “We also get a lot of requests for doggie day care when people need a staycation at home or want their dogs in a safe place while they get the house ready for holiday guests.”

He advises that you scout out local boarding/day care facilities in advance and give your dog a “trial run” before the holiday to gauge his level of acceptance. His company offers a free day of day care during non-holiday seasons and encourages people to tour his center before booking a reservation.

How to ease holiday stress in dogs if you’re celebrating at home

Schedule five to 10 minutes of cuddle time each day with your dog. Photography © avemario | Thinkstock.

If you plan to stay home for the holidays with your dog, here are some ways to save the sanity and fend off stress for you both:

Power walk with your pooch. Book time each day to take a daily brisk walk or run with your dog to stave off some of the holiday stress bubbling inside you both. Use the walk to mentally map out your holiday gift list or holiday dinner game plan — or as a good excuse to escape irritating or demanding relatives who are visiting.

Schedule canine cuddle time. Calmly call your dog over and cuddle with him on the sofa for five to 10 minutes each day. Enjoy being in the moment with your four-legged pal. You will be amazed how this daily ritual will help you and your dog survive, perhaps even thrive, this holiday season.

Dish up a holiday treat. Show your dog how much you love him by baking him a special batch of canine cookies or snacks. (See the sidebar for Marvelous Mutt Meatballs recipe).

Book an activity that your dog can join you in. Take your leashed dog on a walk through a neighborhood all decked out in holiday lights and decorations. (Bring a stash of his favorite treats and poop bags.) Or check online for any special dog holiday parties or events in your area.

Keep tabs on your dog through technology

Whether you are gone from home for the day or the entire holiday, you can keep tabs on your home-alone dog 24/7. There are lots of high-tech monitoring devices that enable you to see, speak and even dole out a treat to your dog with the click of a button. Some gadgets even allow you to remotely play fetch or have your dog chase a laser toy from apps on your smartphone.

Nix holiday stress in dogs by making these New Year’s resolutions:

Be ready for the next round of holidays by creating and embracing some New Year’s resolutions to benefit your dog. Here are a few to consider:

Become a label reader. Select quality commercial products that list a real meat (such as beef, chicken or salmon) as the first ingredient. Choose food made in North America to ensure quality compliance.

Schedule daily mini-play sessions indoors, especially during inclement weather. Mix and match different types of dog toys to maintain interest. Toss a tennis ball down the hallway or engage in a friendly game of tug-of-war with a durable rope toy, or praise him for stalking and “capturing” a plush toy with a squeaker inside.

Invest five minutes every day to brush your dog’s coat. Select the right brush or comb that fits his coat — short-haired, long-haired or nearly hairless like the Chinese Crested Dog or Mexican Hairless Dog (Xoloitzcuintli). Or use grooming gloves designed for use on dogs.

Have pet safety hotlines on hand

Keep your dog safe year-round by posting the contact information of your veterinarian, after-hours emergency veterinary clinic and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center in a visible place, like the refrigerator. The APSCA’s 24-hour hotline can be reached by calling 888-426-4435 or you can visit its website at www.aspca.org/apcc.

This piece was originally published in 2017.

Thumbnail: Photography ©Anna-av| Thinkstock.

Arden Moore, The Pet Health and Safety Coach

, is a pet behavior consultant, master certified pet first aid instructor, author and host of the Oh Behave Show on Pet Life Radio. Learn more at ardenmoore.com.

Editor’s note: This article appeared in Dogster magazine. Have you seen the new Dogster print magazine in stores? Or in the waiting room of your vet’s office? Subscribe now to get Dogster magazine delivered straight to you! 

Struggling with a case of the holiday blues yourself? Here’s how to beat holiday depression WITHOUT medication >>

Read more about dogs and the holidays on Dogster.com:

8 Ways to Take the Stress Out of Holiday Travel With Your Dog

5 Dog Breeds That Are Good with Holiday Guests

7 Dog Charities to Support This Holiday Season

The post How to Handle Holiday Stress in Dogs by Arden Moore appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

[stiles-wtf]

How to Handle Holiday Stress in Dogs

The post How to Handle Holiday Stress in Dogs by Arden Moore appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

The holidays are right around the corner, but your dog is acting anything but jolly. He’s lost the jingle in his step. Gone is his ready-quick grin, the goofy barks and the jubilant dash to fetch a favorite tossed toy. Just like us, holiday stress in dogs can extend past the festive ushering of the new year.

Consider this: Your loyal canine pal is so tuned into you, your emotions and your schedule. But the comforting predictability of the household routine has been upended by your erratic comings and goings, the arrival of a large tree in the living room with don’t-touch ornaments, the smell of oh-so-tempting goodies from the oven and the not-so-welcomed appearance of strange and sometimes obnoxious people referred to as “relatives” by you. That’s a doggone lot to deal with, especially for your confused canine.

Look for these clues of holiday stress in dogs (although they could also be due to a health concern, so consult with your veterinarian):

Boisterous behavior might be a sign of holiday stress in dogs. Photography ©caliburn82 | Thinkstock.

Loss of appetite

Lack of energy and interest

Lip licking and/or yawning

Becoming boisterous or whining

Hiding, cowering or ignoring your “come” calls

Chewing up sofa pillows or comforters that he has left untouched before the holidays

Turning into a Velcro dog, shadowing your every step in the house

Piddling and pooping in the house after years of stellar potty habits

If you don’t address these behavioral changes, the doggie blues can continue after the holidays when you return back to work and the kids head back to school. This is especially true for highly social dogs who welcome the holidays because they know they will get more attention in the forms of petting, cuddling and, especially, treats from you and visitors. Suddenly, they find themselves home alone.

Whether you plan to take a holiday vacation sans your dog or intend to stay home and fill your house with lots of guests, Dogster offers these effective solutions to prevent Yule time from turning into yowl time.

How to ease holiday stress in dogs if you’re taking a vacation without your pup

If you plan to take a dog-free vacation, hire a professional pet sitter or take your dog to a reputable boarding facility. The choice depends on your dog’s health, age, temperament and experience with other dogs.

“Dogs who are shy, quiet and get intimidated by the presence of other dogs or loud barking will likely prefer to be at home,” says Leni Kaplan, D.V.M., a veterinarian at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, New York. “Dogs who can handle changes in their routines and environment, who are used to being around other dogs and especially those who go to doggie daycare are best candidates for boarding.”

In choosing a professional pet sitter, consider one who belongs to a professional pet sitting organization, such as the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters and Pet Sitters International. Members of these organizations must show proof of being licensed and bonded. This is not the time to save money by hiring the neighbor kid or an untrained house sitter.

“A professional pet sitter is prepared for emergencies and, in many ways, can be like Santa Claus to your dog,” says Joette White, president of Park Cities Pet Sitter in Dallas, voted the 2016 Business of the Year by NAPPS. “A pet sitter will feed, walk, play and love on your dog as well as pick up your mail, water the plants and take out the trash. We do all we can to let your dog know that he is loved and well-cared for during your absence. Plus, your dog gets to stay in his own home.” Boarding your dog — or taking him for doggie day care — are options if you have an energetic, social dog or one who acts up when there is a change in household routine.

“We get requests from people who know that the in-laws coming for the holidays don’t want dogs in the house or may be allergic to dogs or insist on bringing their dog who does not get along with your dog,” says Ash Vaughan, owner of Canine Republic Resort in Plano, Texas. His company was recently voted best boarding facilities by Plano Magazine. “We also get a lot of requests for doggie day care when people need a staycation at home or want their dogs in a safe place while they get the house ready for holiday guests.”

He advises that you scout out local boarding/day care facilities in advance and give your dog a “trial run” before the holiday to gauge his level of acceptance. His company offers a free day of day care during non-holiday seasons and encourages people to tour his center before booking a reservation.

How to ease holiday stress in dogs if you’re celebrating at home

Schedule five to 10 minutes of cuddle time each day with your dog. Photography © avemario | Thinkstock.

If you plan to stay home for the holidays with your dog, here are some ways to save the sanity and fend off stress for you both:

Power walk with your pooch. Book time each day to take a daily brisk walk or run with your dog to stave off some of the holiday stress bubbling inside you both. Use the walk to mentally map out your holiday gift list or holiday dinner game plan — or as a good excuse to escape irritating or demanding relatives who are visiting.

Schedule canine cuddle time. Calmly call your dog over and cuddle with him on the sofa for five to 10 minutes each day. Enjoy being in the moment with your four-legged pal. You will be amazed how this daily ritual will help you and your dog survive, perhaps even thrive, this holiday season.

Dish up a holiday treat. Show your dog how much you love him by baking him a special batch of canine cookies or snacks. (See the sidebar for Marvelous Mutt Meatballs recipe).

Book an activity that your dog can join you in. Take your leashed dog on a walk through a neighborhood all decked out in holiday lights and decorations. (Bring a stash of his favorite treats and poop bags.) Or check online for any special dog holiday parties or events in your area.

Keep tabs on your dog through technology

Whether you are gone from home for the day or the entire holiday, you can keep tabs on your home-alone dog 24/7. There are lots of high-tech monitoring devices that enable you to see, speak and even dole out a treat to your dog with the click of a button. Some gadgets even allow you to remotely play fetch or have your dog chase a laser toy from apps on your smartphone.

Nix holiday stress in dogs by making these New Year’s resolutions:

Be ready for the next round of holidays by creating and embracing some New Year’s resolutions to benefit your dog. Here are a few to consider:

Become a label reader. Select quality commercial products that list a real meat (such as beef, chicken or salmon) as the first ingredient. Choose food made in North America to ensure quality compliance.

Schedule daily mini-play sessions indoors, especially during inclement weather. Mix and match different types of dog toys to maintain interest. Toss a tennis ball down the hallway or engage in a friendly game of tug-of-war with a durable rope toy, or praise him for stalking and “capturing” a plush toy with a squeaker inside.

Invest five minutes every day to brush your dog’s coat. Select the right brush or comb that fits his coat — short-haired, long-haired or nearly hairless like the Chinese Crested Dog or Mexican Hairless Dog (Xoloitzcuintli). Or use grooming gloves designed for use on dogs.

Have pet safety hotlines on hand

Keep your dog safe year-round by posting the contact information of your veterinarian, after-hours emergency veterinary clinic and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center in a visible place, like the refrigerator. The APSCA’s 24-hour hotline can be reached by calling 888-426-4435 or you can visit its website at www.aspca.org/apcc.

This piece was originally published in 2017.

Thumbnail: Photography ©Anna-av| Thinkstock.

Arden Moore, The Pet Health and Safety Coach

, is a pet behavior consultant, master certified pet first aid instructor, author and host of the Oh Behave Show on Pet Life Radio. Learn more at ardenmoore.com.

Editor’s note: This article appeared in Dogster magazine. Have you seen the new Dogster print magazine in stores? Or in the waiting room of your vet’s office? Subscribe now to get Dogster magazine delivered straight to you! 

Struggling with a case of the holiday blues yourself? Here’s how to beat holiday depression WITHOUT medication >>

Read more about dogs and the holidays on Dogster.com:

8 Ways to Take the Stress Out of Holiday Travel With Your Dog

5 Dog Breeds That Are Good with Holiday Guests

7 Dog Charities to Support This Holiday Season

The post How to Handle Holiday Stress in Dogs by Arden Moore appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

[jeffreyrwelch]

How to Handle Holiday Stress in Dogs

The post How to Handle Holiday Stress in Dogs by Arden Moore appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

The holidays are right around the corner, but your dog is acting anything but jolly. He’s lost the jingle in his step. Gone is his ready-quick grin, the goofy barks and the jubilant dash to fetch a favorite tossed toy. Just like us, holiday stress in dogs can extend past the festive ushering of the new year.

Consider this: Your loyal canine pal is so tuned into you, your emotions and your schedule. But the comforting predictability of the household routine has been upended by your erratic comings and goings, the arrival of a large tree in the living room with don’t-touch ornaments, the smell of oh-so-tempting goodies from the oven and the not-so-welcomed appearance of strange and sometimes obnoxious people referred to as “relatives” by you. That’s a doggone lot to deal with, especially for your confused canine.

Look for these clues of holiday stress in dogs (although they could also be due to a health concern, so consult with your veterinarian):

Boisterous behavior might be a sign of holiday stress in dogs. Photography ©caliburn82 | Thinkstock.

Loss of appetite

Lack of energy and interest

Lip licking and/or yawning

Becoming boisterous or whining

Hiding, cowering or ignoring your “come” calls

Chewing up sofa pillows or comforters that he has left untouched before the holidays

Turning into a Velcro dog, shadowing your every step in the house

Piddling and pooping in the house after years of stellar potty habits

If you don’t address these behavioral changes, the doggie blues can continue after the holidays when you return back to work and the kids head back to school. This is especially true for highly social dogs who welcome the holidays because they know they will get more attention in the forms of petting, cuddling and, especially, treats from you and visitors. Suddenly, they find themselves home alone.

Whether you plan to take a holiday vacation sans your dog or intend to stay home and fill your house with lots of guests, Dogster offers these effective solutions to prevent Yule time from turning into yowl time.

How to ease holiday stress in dogs if you’re taking a vacation without your pup

If you plan to take a dog-free vacation, hire a professional pet sitter or take your dog to a reputable boarding facility. The choice depends on your dog’s health, age, temperament and experience with other dogs.

“Dogs who are shy, quiet and get intimidated by the presence of other dogs or loud barking will likely prefer to be at home,” says Leni Kaplan, D.V.M., a veterinarian at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, New York. “Dogs who can handle changes in their routines and environment, who are used to being around other dogs and especially those who go to doggie daycare are best candidates for boarding.”

In choosing a professional pet sitter, consider one who belongs to a professional pet sitting organization, such as the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters and Pet Sitters International. Members of these organizations must show proof of being licensed and bonded. This is not the time to save money by hiring the neighbor kid or an untrained house sitter.

“A professional pet sitter is prepared for emergencies and, in many ways, can be like Santa Claus to your dog,” says Joette White, president of Park Cities Pet Sitter in Dallas, voted the 2016 Business of the Year by NAPPS. “A pet sitter will feed, walk, play and love on your dog as well as pick up your mail, water the plants and take out the trash. We do all we can to let your dog know that he is loved and well-cared for during your absence. Plus, your dog gets to stay in his own home.” Boarding your dog — or taking him for doggie day care — are options if you have an energetic, social dog or one who acts up when there is a change in household routine.

“We get requests from people who know that the in-laws coming for the holidays don’t want dogs in the house or may be allergic to dogs or insist on bringing their dog who does not get along with your dog,” says Ash Vaughan, owner of Canine Republic Resort in Plano, Texas. His company was recently voted best boarding facilities by Plano Magazine. “We also get a lot of requests for doggie day care when people need a staycation at home or want their dogs in a safe place while they get the house ready for holiday guests.”

He advises that you scout out local boarding/day care facilities in advance and give your dog a “trial run” before the holiday to gauge his level of acceptance. His company offers a free day of day care during non-holiday seasons and encourages people to tour his center before booking a reservation.

How to ease holiday stress in dogs if you’re celebrating at home

Schedule five to 10 minutes of cuddle time each day with your dog. Photography © avemario | Thinkstock.

If you plan to stay home for the holidays with your dog, here are some ways to save the sanity and fend off stress for you both:

Power walk with your pooch. Book time each day to take a daily brisk walk or run with your dog to stave off some of the holiday stress bubbling inside you both. Use the walk to mentally map out your holiday gift list or holiday dinner game plan — or as a good excuse to escape irritating or demanding relatives who are visiting.

Schedule canine cuddle time. Calmly call your dog over and cuddle with him on the sofa for five to 10 minutes each day. Enjoy being in the moment with your four-legged pal. You will be amazed how this daily ritual will help you and your dog survive, perhaps even thrive, this holiday season.

Dish up a holiday treat. Show your dog how much you love him by baking him a special batch of canine cookies or snacks. (See the sidebar for Marvelous Mutt Meatballs recipe).

Book an activity that your dog can join you in. Take your leashed dog on a walk through a neighborhood all decked out in holiday lights and decorations. (Bring a stash of his favorite treats and poop bags.) Or check online for any special dog holiday parties or events in your area.

Keep tabs on your dog through technology

Whether you are gone from home for the day or the entire holiday, you can keep tabs on your home-alone dog 24/7. There are lots of high-tech monitoring devices that enable you to see, speak and even dole out a treat to your dog with the click of a button. Some gadgets even allow you to remotely play fetch or have your dog chase a laser toy from apps on your smartphone.

Nix holiday stress in dogs by making these New Year’s resolutions:

Be ready for the next round of holidays by creating and embracing some New Year’s resolutions to benefit your dog. Here are a few to consider:

Become a label reader. Select quality commercial products that list a real meat (such as beef, chicken or salmon) as the first ingredient. Choose food made in North America to ensure quality compliance.

Schedule daily mini-play sessions indoors, especially during inclement weather. Mix and match different types of dog toys to maintain interest. Toss a tennis ball down the hallway or engage in a friendly game of tug-of-war with a durable rope toy, or praise him for stalking and “capturing” a plush toy with a squeaker inside.

Invest five minutes every day to brush your dog’s coat. Select the right brush or comb that fits his coat — short-haired, long-haired or nearly hairless like the Chinese Crested Dog or Mexican Hairless Dog (Xoloitzcuintli). Or use grooming gloves designed for use on dogs.

Have pet safety hotlines on hand

Keep your dog safe year-round by posting the contact information of your veterinarian, after-hours emergency veterinary clinic and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center in a visible place, like the refrigerator. The APSCA’s 24-hour hotline can be reached by calling 888-426-4435 or you can visit its website at www.aspca.org/apcc.

This piece was originally published in 2017.

Thumbnail: Photography ©Anna-av| Thinkstock.

Arden Moore, The Pet Health and Safety Coach

, is a pet behavior consultant, master certified pet first aid instructor, author and host of the Oh Behave Show on Pet Life Radio. Learn more at ardenmoore.com.

Editor’s note: This article appeared in Dogster magazine. Have you seen the new Dogster print magazine in stores? Or in the waiting room of your vet’s office? Subscribe now to get Dogster magazine delivered straight to you! 

Struggling with a case of the holiday blues yourself? Here’s how to beat holiday depression WITHOUT medication >>

Read more about dogs and the holidays on Dogster.com:

8 Ways to Take the Stress Out of Holiday Travel With Your Dog

5 Dog Breeds That Are Good with Holiday Guests

7 Dog Charities to Support This Holiday Season

The post How to Handle Holiday Stress in Dogs by Arden Moore appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

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How to Handle Holiday Stress in Dogs

The post How to Handle Holiday Stress in Dogs by Arden Moore appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

The holidays are right around the corner, but your dog is acting anything but jolly. He’s lost the jingle in his step. Gone is his ready-quick grin, the goofy barks and the jubilant dash to fetch a favorite tossed toy. Just like us, holiday stress in dogs can extend past the festive ushering of the new year.

Consider this: Your loyal canine pal is so tuned into you, your emotions and your schedule. But the comforting predictability of the household routine has been upended by your erratic comings and goings, the arrival of a large tree in the living room with don’t-touch ornaments, the smell of oh-so-tempting goodies from the oven and the not-so-welcomed appearance of strange and sometimes obnoxious people referred to as “relatives” by you. That’s a doggone lot to deal with, especially for your confused canine.

Look for these clues of holiday stress in dogs (although they could also be due to a health concern, so consult with your veterinarian):

Boisterous behavior might be a sign of holiday stress in dogs. Photography ©caliburn82 | Thinkstock.

Loss of appetite

Lack of energy and interest

Lip licking and/or yawning

Becoming boisterous or whining

Hiding, cowering or ignoring your “come” calls

Chewing up sofa pillows or comforters that he has left untouched before the holidays

Turning into a Velcro dog, shadowing your every step in the house

Piddling and pooping in the house after years of stellar potty habits

If you don’t address these behavioral changes, the doggie blues can continue after the holidays when you return back to work and the kids head back to school. This is especially true for highly social dogs who welcome the holidays because they know they will get more attention in the forms of petting, cuddling and, especially, treats from you and visitors. Suddenly, they find themselves home alone.

Whether you plan to take a holiday vacation sans your dog or intend to stay home and fill your house with lots of guests, Dogster offers these effective solutions to prevent Yule time from turning into yowl time.

How to ease holiday stress in dogs if you’re taking a vacation without your pup

If you plan to take a dog-free vacation, hire a professional pet sitter or take your dog to a reputable boarding facility. The choice depends on your dog’s health, age, temperament and experience with other dogs.

“Dogs who are shy, quiet and get intimidated by the presence of other dogs or loud barking will likely prefer to be at home,” says Leni Kaplan, D.V.M., a veterinarian at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, New York. “Dogs who can handle changes in their routines and environment, who are used to being around other dogs and especially those who go to doggie daycare are best candidates for boarding.”

In choosing a professional pet sitter, consider one who belongs to a professional pet sitting organization, such as the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters and Pet Sitters International. Members of these organizations must show proof of being licensed and bonded. This is not the time to save money by hiring the neighbor kid or an untrained house sitter.

“A professional pet sitter is prepared for emergencies and, in many ways, can be like Santa Claus to your dog,” says Joette White, president of Park Cities Pet Sitter in Dallas, voted the 2016 Business of the Year by NAPPS. “A pet sitter will feed, walk, play and love on your dog as well as pick up your mail, water the plants and take out the trash. We do all we can to let your dog know that he is loved and well-cared for during your absence. Plus, your dog gets to stay in his own home.” Boarding your dog — or taking him for doggie day care — are options if you have an energetic, social dog or one who acts up when there is a change in household routine.

“We get requests from people who know that the in-laws coming for the holidays don’t want dogs in the house or may be allergic to dogs or insist on bringing their dog who does not get along with your dog,” says Ash Vaughan, owner of Canine Republic Resort in Plano, Texas. His company was recently voted best boarding facilities by Plano Magazine. “We also get a lot of requests for doggie day care when people need a staycation at home or want their dogs in a safe place while they get the house ready for holiday guests.”

He advises that you scout out local boarding/day care facilities in advance and give your dog a “trial run” before the holiday to gauge his level of acceptance. His company offers a free day of day care during non-holiday seasons and encourages people to tour his center before booking a reservation.

How to ease holiday stress in dogs if you’re celebrating at home

Schedule five to 10 minutes of cuddle time each day with your dog. Photography © avemario | Thinkstock.

If you plan to stay home for the holidays with your dog, here are some ways to save the sanity and fend off stress for you both:

Power walk with your pooch. Book time each day to take a daily brisk walk or run with your dog to stave off some of the holiday stress bubbling inside you both. Use the walk to mentally map out your holiday gift list or holiday dinner game plan — or as a good excuse to escape irritating or demanding relatives who are visiting.

Schedule canine cuddle time. Calmly call your dog over and cuddle with him on the sofa for five to 10 minutes each day. Enjoy being in the moment with your four-legged pal. You will be amazed how this daily ritual will help you and your dog survive, perhaps even thrive, this holiday season.

Dish up a holiday treat. Show your dog how much you love him by baking him a special batch of canine cookies or snacks. (See the sidebar for Marvelous Mutt Meatballs recipe).

Book an activity that your dog can join you in. Take your leashed dog on a walk through a neighborhood all decked out in holiday lights and decorations. (Bring a stash of his favorite treats and poop bags.) Or check online for any special dog holiday parties or events in your area.

Keep tabs on your dog through technology

Whether you are gone from home for the day or the entire holiday, you can keep tabs on your home-alone dog 24/7. There are lots of high-tech monitoring devices that enable you to see, speak and even dole out a treat to your dog with the click of a button. Some gadgets even allow you to remotely play fetch or have your dog chase a laser toy from apps on your smartphone.

Nix holiday stress in dogs by making these New Year’s resolutions:

Be ready for the next round of holidays by creating and embracing some New Year’s resolutions to benefit your dog. Here are a few to consider:

Become a label reader. Select quality commercial products that list a real meat (such as beef, chicken or salmon) as the first ingredient. Choose food made in North America to ensure quality compliance.

Schedule daily mini-play sessions indoors, especially during inclement weather. Mix and match different types of dog toys to maintain interest. Toss a tennis ball down the hallway or engage in a friendly game of tug-of-war with a durable rope toy, or praise him for stalking and “capturing” a plush toy with a squeaker inside.

Invest five minutes every day to brush your dog’s coat. Select the right brush or comb that fits his coat — short-haired, long-haired or nearly hairless like the Chinese Crested Dog or Mexican Hairless Dog (Xoloitzcuintli). Or use grooming gloves designed for use on dogs.

Have pet safety hotlines on hand

Keep your dog safe year-round by posting the contact information of your veterinarian, after-hours emergency veterinary clinic and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center in a visible place, like the refrigerator. The APSCA’s 24-hour hotline can be reached by calling 888-426-4435 or you can visit its website at www.aspca.org/apcc.

This piece was originally published in 2017.

Thumbnail: Photography ©Anna-av| Thinkstock.

Arden Moore, The Pet Health and Safety Coach

, is a pet behavior consultant, master certified pet first aid instructor, author and host of the Oh Behave Show on Pet Life Radio. Learn more at ardenmoore.com.

Editor’s note: This article appeared in Dogster magazine. Have you seen the new Dogster print magazine in stores? Or in the waiting room of your vet’s office? Subscribe now to get Dogster magazine delivered straight to you! 

Struggling with a case of the holiday blues yourself? Here’s how to beat holiday depression WITHOUT medication >>

Read more about dogs and the holidays on Dogster.com:

8 Ways to Take the Stress Out of Holiday Travel With Your Dog

5 Dog Breeds That Are Good with Holiday Guests

7 Dog Charities to Support This Holiday Season

The post How to Handle Holiday Stress in Dogs by Arden Moore appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.