Good Living Guide

Animals

Pets For The Elderly Charity Expands Effort To Help Isolated Seniors

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A charity that brings pets and people together is expanding its outreach during the coronavirus pandemic. Pets for the Elderly specializes in helping people over 60 find a loving, four-footed companion.

Pets For The Elderly

HELPING SHELTER PETS AND PEOPLE FIND EACH OTHER

Loneliness is hard on seniors, and animals make wonderful companions. Those two facts are the driving force behind Pets for the Elderly, whose mission is to end loneliness among the elderly. The organization calls its program Companion Connection. The program helps pay the adoption, spaying and other fees for people over 60 who adopt shelter pets. It’s a win-win. Seniors find a fluffy friend, and pets find a forever home.

Around 50 shelters in 30 states take part in the program. It has helped more than 100,000 shelter pets find homes.

FORGING A LIFELONG CONNECTION

This week, the organization announced it was ramping up efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pets for the Elderly is reaching out to help older people pay for food, grooming and in-home visits from shelter workers.

Loneliness is a serious problem for older people. According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, more than a third of adults aged 45 and older feel lonely, and nearly one-fourth of people over 65 are “socially isolated.” Many are even more isolated without the ability to socialize or receive visitors because of the pandemic.

IT’S THE RIGHT TIME

Executive Director Susan Kurowski said this is the right time to increase the organization’s efforts.

“With COVID, bridging this isolation gap with companionship is going to show, when we look back, as being key to many people’s mental wellness. You don’t have to live alone to feel isolated.”

Has a pet helped you cope with the pandemic? Let us know.

This Couch Pet Bed Provides Comfort and Security for Pets Who Love To Nest

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We never get tired of spoiling our pets. Now, you can give your favorite furred friend his or her very own couch pet bed. They’ll love this soft, cozy bed that pampers them in style.

Couch Pet Bed

Luxury for Your Pet

This adorable couch pet bed is a little bit of luxury for your pet. It’s a stylish sofa your pet will love snuggling into every day. Your dog or cat can get cozy with you while you watch TV, read or relax.

The best part is you can choose your favorite fabric because you make this couch pet bed yourself. Create a one-of-a-kind bed for your special buddy.

Make Them Feel Safe and Secure

This is the bed your pets want.

Most cats only feel secure when they can sleep in a snug, enclosed space. That’s why they like to hide in drawers and boxes. It isn’t just cats, however. Many dogs also prefer a bed that makes them feel tucked in.

Older pets will appreciate a soft, warm place to snooze their days away, and young pets will enjoy a place to flop after a day of playing.

Couch Pet Bed

It’s a Perfect Holiday Gift

Take care of your holiday gift giving with this couch pet bed. You can make a gorgeous bed for every pet lover on your list. You can even make it in a holiday pattern.

Where Can You Get the Couch Pet Bed Pattern?

You can only buy this couch pet bed pattern from Etsy seller Pillow Pops, a seller who specializes in exclusive, charming home accessories.

When you order the pattern, you’ll receive detailed instructions, a tissue pattern and photos to show what the item should look like at different stages. Have fun making this beautiful bed for your favorite pet.

Couch Pet Bed

Goat Sneaks Into Deputy’s Patrol Car, Eats Her Paperwork!

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A deputy sheriff in Georgia had an encounter that really got her goat when she was making a routine paperwork run.

IT TURNED INTO A GRUFF ENCOUNTER

The Douglas County deputy was delivering civil papers to a farm. When she arrived, she left her cruiser’s passenger door open since it was a quick stop.

In a Facebook post about the incident, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office explained that, “Due to the number of houses she visits daily, she routinely leaves her vehicle’s door open because she has had to retreat on a number of occasions from vicious dogs. Never once did she expect or even consider what was about to happen this day!”

THIS GOAT WASN’T KIDDING

The deputy opened the door to find a goat in her car and her paperwork in shreds. He found all that paper irresistible and decided to help himself to a snack.

A body cam video shows the officer trying to shoo the goat away, but he takes his sweet time leaving those tasty, shredded treats.

A TALE WITH A HAPPY ENDING

The deputy tried pushing the goat, pulling his tail and swatting him away. At one point, the goat accidentally knocked her over as she was trying to remove him.

Fortunately, nobody was hurt in the good cop, bad goat encounter. The sheriff’s office said, “We all got a little laugh out of it, and we hope you do, too.”

We’ve heard of dogs eating homework, but this is the first time we’ve seen a goat eat official paperwork. This deputy has a great excuse for not turning in her work.

Goat Sneaks Into Deputy’s Patrol Car

Clawgs Help Protect Your Pup’s Paws from Hot Asphalt and other Abrasive Surfaces

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If you love your dog and love the idea of helping a small independent, it’s time to look at Clawgs. This ingenious paw-wear protects your dog’s pads from uncomfortable, dangerous surfaces like hot asphalt, gravel, sharp ice, salted roads, slippery floors and rocky trails.

There are other dog booties out there, but they don’t have the incredible details that these protectors do. It’s obvious the inventor is someone who knows and loves dogs.

Clawgs Help Protect Your Pup's Paws

Why Dogs Need Clawgs

Your dog’s paw pads were designed to run on grass and dirt. Today, your dog encounters different surfaces that can damage her paw pads.

Rescue dogs often need padded shoes to protect their feet from broken glass and concrete when they’re digging through rubble.

Clawgs let your dogs walk or run safely on any surface.

What Makes Them Special

Here’s what makes Clawgs stand out.

  • They’re thin and flexible. Your dog can still feel the surface of the ground without damaging his paw pads.
  • They have grip to help your dog walk on slick surfaces.
  • They’re breathable. Many dog booties suffocate your dog’s feet by not letting them sweat. They allow your dog’s feet to sweat and breathe naturally.
  • They allow dogs to use their claws. Dogs can still walk naturally wearing them.
  • They’re soft, lightweight and comfortable.

Clawgs Help Protect Your Pup's Paws

Where Can You Get Clawgs?

These special dog booties are only available from a Kickstarter project. Depending on the level of support you pledge, you can get them at an early bird discount of more than 30%. Pledging now will get you a set of Clawgs by Christmas.

As the project creator says, “Please consider preordering Clawgs. If you do not have a dog but love them and want to help, please donate. Our mission is for you and your best friend to travel further together.”

You can learn more at the Kickstarter page.

Clawgs Help Protect Your Pup's Paws from Hot Asphalt and other Abrasive Surfaces

Hummingbird Feeder Hat Provides A Fantastic Birdwatching Experience

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Everyone loves to see hummingbirds, but it can be difficult to spot these fast-moving, elusive creatures. Now, a bird-loving inventor has fixed that problem by creating a hummingbird feeder hat that brings the birds to you.

Hummingbird Feeder Hat

A Fantastic Feeding Invention

This fantastic contraption consists of a hummingbird feeder attached to a ballcap. The video shows the inventor walking around outside wearing his feeder hat. Dozens of hummingbirds visit the feeders, bringing their bright colors, whirring song and stunning beauty.

Seeing these lovely creatures up close is an amazing experience.

Hummingbirds Are Big Eaters

The simple feeders use a sugar solution to attract the birds. All you have to do is fill them with a feeding solution, and the birds will flock to you.

Hummingbirds eat a surprising amount of food for their small size. That’s because they’re constantly in motion. They burn many calories flying from flower to flower.

Hummingbird food is easy and inexpensive to make. All you need is sugar, water and the desire to nourish these beautiful creatures.

Hummingbird Feeder Hats Go High Fashion

The hummingbird hat feeder has inspired people to come up with their own versions. One woman posted videos of herself wearing an elegant, wide-brimmed hat with feeders on it.

One Etsy seller offered a version that used a bike helmet.

We bet you can come up with your own twist on this hummingbird headgear.

Tips for Attracting Hummingbirds

  • Use feeders that are bright red, yellow or orange. Hummingbirds are attracted to these colors.
  • Hummingbirds prefer to feed at dawn and dusk.
  • Plant flowers that attract them. These include bee balm, cardinal flowers, columbine, impatiens, petunia and trumpet vine.

Do You Want a Hummingbird Feeder Hat?

If you’d like to spend your days surrounded by colorful hummingbirds, you can make your own hummingbird feeder hat using handheld feeders.

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Hummingbird Feeder Hat

 

Beep, Beep! Real-life ‘Wile E. Coyote’ Caught On Video Chasing Roadrunner

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A short video has gone viral for depicting a real-life Wile E. Coyote trying to chase down a roadrunner.

Wile E. Coyote and Roadrunner

Instagram | @deserth2o

Deep In the Desert

Michael Thomas Bogan is a wildlife biologist who teaches at the University of Arizona. He’s also an avid photographer of the desert Southwest’s fascinating, beautiful environment.

Recently, he was in the Santa Cruz riverbed in Tucson, when he noticed a roadrunner zipping past with a coyote in hot pursuit. Bogan filmed the desert encounter and posted it to his Twitter account with the narration, “That is a straight-up cartoon.”

It Didn’t Even Say, “Beep Beep”

In the video, you can see the roadrunner moving at top speed while the coyote gives up halfway through the chase.

In just a few hours, Bogan had fielded dozens of requests from news organizations and channels asking to use the footage. Dozens of Twitter posters responded with their favorite memories of the classic cartoon. Many pointed out the way the coyote seems to just stop and give up halfway through the chase. Did he need some Acme products or was it just, as Bogan said, too hot to keep running?

Real Roadrunners

Real roadrunners are fascinating birds.

Roadrunners have adapted incredibly well to desert life. They don’t need to drink water, and their diet consists of insects, small birds, grubs and reptiles that abound in the desert.

Roadrunner

The tough little bird’s favorite food, however, is the western diamondback, a deadly rattler that’s poisonous enough to kill an adult human. Roadrunners have no fear of these snakes, and regularly attack them for food.

Sacred to Native Americans

That’s why Native Americans held a special reverence for roadrunners, admiring them for their courage, cleverness and speed.

Yes, they’re fast. Roadrunners reach top speeds of about 25 mph, but that’s still not enough to beat a coyote. Most coyotes can run about 40 mph. It’s a good thing the coyote keeps buying inferior rockets and anvils to give the roadrunner an edge.

Wile E. Coyote

How To Cope With The Loss Of A Pet

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It is an unfortunate fact of life as a pet owner that we will almost always outlive our pets. We will have to say goodbye to those members of our family that relied on us the most. Whether sudden and accidental or the result of a long-term illness, the loss of a pet is never easy and always causes pain.

Loss of a Pet

EMOTIONS AFTER THE LOSS OF A PET

Allow yourself to feel that grief. You may encounter people who will not understand the depth of your pain after you lose a pet. To some people, animals are not family but just a nuisance, but you as a pet owner know better. You know about their individual personalities, their unconditional love, and the joy they brought to your home. Talk to other animal lovers and pet owners. They will understand your loss without being dismissive. It is likely that anyone who has owned pets has experienced the death of a pet as well, and knows exactly how you feel right now. They will not belittle your experience.

Allow yourself to feel any other emotion that comes with the loss as well. An accidental death may bring with it anger, a death from a long illness, guilt. If you had to make the difficult decision of putting your animal to sleep, and then decide when to do it, you know that you will always question if you made the right call. Was it too soon? Did you wait too long? Did finances factor into your decision? There is always guilt. Knowing that you did the best you could in your circumstances helps. But you will still feel that gnawing in the pit of your stomach.

Any loss can bring up the painful memories of past losses – animal and human. You may have gotten a handle on the death of a parent, at least enough not to be crushed by it, but when your pet dies it all comes rushing back to you again. Process that grief. If you ever feel that you cannot move on from any loss and that your feelings of sadness are overwhelming you, please do ask for help. Do not feel bad or weak, or that you cannot handle the death of your pet as another person would. That loss just began an avalanche that you cannot hold back on your own. For some people, it can be job loss or divorce. For some people, it’s the loss of a pet.

REMEMBERING YOUR PET

You can mark the special place your pet held in your home and in your life by having a physical memorial to his or her memory. If the final resting place is on your property, planting a bush or tree where the burial is will allow something to grow from the loss. If that is not practical, a stone marker – like a special patio stone or even a bird bath for the cat who liked to watch the birds from the window may be a better choice. If you can, you could include your pet’s favorite toy or special blanket as a kind sendoff.

Loss of a Pet

Those without a yard, or who do not own their property, do have the option of requesting that their pets are cremated individually, and the remains returned in a pet urn at the vet’s office. There can be options for urns depending on what you like, and any personalization you may want to add. Do not feel you must have, and do not allow a vet office to pressure you into having, an urn. Not having one does not mean you loved your pet any less. Not having a tangible reminder of your pet at all does not mean that either. Some people would rather have their photographs and memories. Having the physical memorial around would be too painful.

COMFORTING CHILDREN AFTER THE LOSS OF A PET

For many children, the loss of a pet will be their first experience of death. The discussions following such a loss will be difficult for parents. Depending on what your own faith says of the afterlife and the souls of pets, you may wish to tell your children about the Rainbow Bridge. This is a story meant to comfort those who have lost pets by telling of a place next to Heaven where the souls of departed pets wait for their owners so they can enter Heaven together. The pets cross a rainbow bridge and are transported to a pet paradise where it is always sunny and there is always food, water, and toys for them. This may comfort your children to feel that their pets are happy and they will see them again.

Let your child grieve as well, and to ask questions as difficult as they may be to answer. Children find rituals comforting, so let them perform what ceremonies they wish to honor their pets. They may wish to have their own service or memorial for the pet. It will help provide some closure for them, and may be comforting for you as well.

Loss of a Pet

Your children will probably be ready for a new pet long before you will. Those without children can take the time they need to feel ready, but parents should take that time as well. You should not get a new pet too soon and always feel that you are comparing your pet to the one you lost. They are not the same. And for those who had older pets, you do forget what it is like having a kitten or puppy in the house and how destructive they can be.

BRINGING HOME A NEW PET

One day you will find yourself at a place in your life where you can open your heart and home to a new pet. Maybe it will be a surprise, by finding a scrappy stray living under your porch that you just fall in love with, or you’ll go to the shelter with a friend and spy a puppy with the biggest eyes in the corner looking at you and your heart will know he’s your dog. Or maybe you will plan to bring home a new pet because you feel like your home is too empty, too quiet, and you need to bring home a pet to fill it. There is always the hurt at the end of our time with our pets, but in the middle is too much love to not have them in our lives.

Loss of a Pet

This Man Shares His Bed With 9 Senior Rescue Dogs

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To more than one million Instagram fans, the name Steve Greig is synonymous with hope, smiles and love. Who is Steve Greig, you might be wondering?

 

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It All Started With Wolfgang the Pup

Steve Greig is an accountant. When Steve’s rescue pup, Wolfgang, was hit by a car and killed in 2013, he couldn’t get over his grief. The only thing that helped was when he rescued Eeyore, a senior chihuahua with four bad knees and a heart problem.

 

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Wolfgang’s Legacy Turned Into a New Family for Steve Greig

Eeyore led to Englebert, Edna, Enoch, Loretta, Phyllis, Josh, Melvin and Madeline – all senior rescue dogs many would consider “un-adoptable.” But Steve doesn’t see it that way. He is happy to get up before 5am each morning to give his ever-expanding family of senior pups medicine, serve their breakfast, make potty runs and – most importantly – lavish them with love.

 

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Dogs, Pigs, Turkeys, Chickens – Everyone Is Welcome

Dogs aren’t the only beloved rescues in Steve’s unique family, however. A not-so-miniature potbellied pig named Bikini sleeps in a pink princess bed near the dog door (which doubles as a pig door). A chicken named Betty hangs out with the dogs all day. And a turkey named Tofu is the official household greeter.

 

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Steve’s Instagram Is a Hub for Rescue Moms and Dads Everywhere

As Steve’s rescued family has grown over the years, he has used his super-popular Instagram, Wolfgang 2242, as a platform to encourage others to adopt senior dogs.

 

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“The One and Only Wolfgang” Is Now a Book!

Most recently, Steve has released a children’s book called “The One and Only Wolfgang.” The book also supports Steve’s message that adopting senior pets can be a wonderful, loving, life-saving choice.


Quarantined Man Sends Dog On A Mission To Buy A Bag Of Cheetos

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The need to stay isolated at home is forcing some people to come up with creative solutions to their problems. One young man discovered that his dog could help make quarantined life more bearable.

Quarantined Man Sends Dog On A Mission To Buy A Bag Of Cheetos

Photo Credit: ckarlozm | Facebook

A Crunchy Craving

Antonio Munoz is a young man in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, who really loves Cheetos and other salty snacks. Unfortunately, Mexico has instituted a strict self-isolation policy to combat the coronavirus.

Under the law, trips to the convenience store for a bag of crunchy, orange goodness are not considered essential.

After three days, Antonio’s craving had reached the point where he had to do something.

Quarantined Man Sends Dog On A Mission To Buy A Bag Of Cheetos

Photo Credit: ckarlozm | Facebook

A Done Deal

He hit on a smart solution that involved his dog Chokis, an adorable chihuahua. Antonio wrote a note to the owner of a convenience store across the street from his home. He strapped the note and some money to his dog’s collar.

Quarantined Man Sends Dog On A Mission To Buy A Bag Of Cheetos

Photo Credit: ckarlozm | Facebook

The note asked the store owner to give Chokis a bag of Cheetos and take the money from under his collar. Antonio also warned the store owner that Chokis would bite if anyone messed with him.

Chokis hit the streets and successfully closed the deal.

Quarantined Man Sends Dog On A Mission To Buy A Bag Of Cheetos

Photo Credit: ckarlozm | Facebook
“Hello Mr. Shopkeeper. Please sell my dog some Cheetos, the orange kind, not the red ones, they’re too hot. She has $20 attached to her collar. WARNING She will bite if not treated right. Your front neighbor.”

Funny Photos

Antonio watched the transaction take place and posted pictures of it on his Facebook page. He captioned the pictures, “Day three of quarantine and I wanted my Cheetos.”

Quarantined Man Sends Dog On A Mission To Buy A Bag Of Cheetos

Photo Credit: ckarlozm | Facebook

A Useful Dog Trick

After that successful run, he decided to give it another try. Chokis has come through every time. The clever pup has now been out three times to fetch his master’s favorite snacks.

Quarantined Man Sends Dog On A Mission To Buy A Bag Of Cheetos

Photo Credit: ckarlozm | Facebook

Shrewd Little Hummingbird Builds Nest With Roof To Stay Dry

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Nature still has the power to astound us, and one little hummingbird is an example of just that. The little bird’s clever nest has captured hearts and news reports all over the world.
Shrewd Little Hummingbird Builds Nest With Roof To Stay Dry

Facebook | Bianca Caroline Soares

A WALK IN THE WOODS

It began last year when Bianca Caroline Soares was walking through a nature reserve in the jungle near her home. Soares works for the Moises Bertoni Foundation, a conservation organization based in Paraguay. Soares recounts that she was feeling incredible sadness one day about the fate of the world. With a heavy heart, she said, she went out to immerse herself in nature to get her mind off her troubles. As she was walking, she encountered an amazing hummingbird’s nest.

Shrewd Little Hummingbird Builds Nest With Roof To Stay Dry

Facebook | Bianca Caroline Soares

SHE SPOTTED AN UNUSUAL NEST

Soares was used to seeing hummingbird’s nests in the jungle. These birds are known for creating complex, intricate nests, but this one stood out because it had an actual roof. The clever hummingbird built the nest on a twig directly under a large, curved leaf.

“In the midst of all these tragedies and all this bad news, I received this gift,” she wrote on her Facebook page. “It’s just more proof of the saying that nature is wise.”

SHE KEPT HER BABIES SAFE

The leaf provided protection from the rain and sun for the bird’s nest and her babies.

The news gets even better. Soares told the Dodo she continued monitoring the nest. One day, she realized the bird was raising two babies in that nest. They grew up and successfully flew away to live on their own.

Let’s hope they inherited their mother’s homebuilding skills.