Thank you Ms Clark and her students for the "Work of HeART" for Sophie's Circle

Thank you Ms Clark and the students of the art club "Work of HeART" at Sweetwater Elementary school for making us these beautiful photo props!!😊
They will help us get great and more noticeable pictures of our adoptable dogs!🐶
We enjoyed meeting you all today and Thomas the dog was happy to give away a bunch of kisses to the kids!!


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Why Your Dog Loves the Fall Season

From empty houses during the day to cooler weather, there are so many reasons why your dog loves fall! Here are our 5 favorite reasons your pooch is jumping up and down for this season.

Allergies Be Gone

Spring and summer months bring on allergies. Whether from grass, flowers and their pollen, allergies get the best of us – including your pup! When your allergies act up, you may sneeze; have watery eyes or a runny nose. Instead of those reactions, dogs are more likely to excessively scratch or lick themselves. Thankfully, they tend to disappear as the weather changes and the leaves start to fall.

Better Walking Conditions

Over the summer, many outlets shared the five-second rule to tell if it’s too hot for your dog to walk on asphalt. This summer, and even now, has been especially hot in Florida. With the warmer temps, sidewalks have been too hot to walk on, for your pup. Thankfully, the fall brings cooler pavement and much needed longer walks.

Cooler Temperatures

Many outdoor activities seem perfect for the fall, but dogs love doing them in the cooler fall temperatures! Dogs prefer to be outside when the temperature drops because it’s easier for them to run around and enjoy themselves without getting overheated. You might need a sweater heading into the cooler fall months (if that ever happens here in FL), remember that your furry friend is ready to explore the outdoors.

Fewer Flea Bites

Fleas thrive in temperatures from 70 to 85 degrees. As temperatures drop into the 60s and 50s, fleas are less of a nuisance. Yay, no more flea bathes! Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean they die. Instead fleas dormant until spring. But at least your dog can enjoy a few months with less flea activity.

More “Me” Time

You love when your kids go back to school and so does your dog! Dogs need an average of 12-14 hours of sleep per day, which is difficult to get when the entire family is home all day.

We hope you and your pup enjoy the cooler weather and can get in an extra walk or hike this week!

Halloween Safety Tips for Pets

Halloween can be the spookiest night of the year, but keeping your pets safe doesn’t have to be tricky. The ASPCA recommends taking these simple, common sense precautions to keep your pet happy and healthy all the way to November 1.

1.Stash the Treats

The candy bowl is for trick-or-treaters, not Scruffy or Fluffy. Several popular Halloween treats are toxic to pets. Chocolate in all forms—especially dark or baking chocolate—can be very dangerous for cats and dogs, and sugar-free candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can cause serious problems in pets. If you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately.

2.Watch the Decorations and Keep Wires Out of Reach

While a carved jack-o-lantern certainly is festive, pets can easily knock over a lit pumpkin and start a fire. Curious kittens are especially at risk of getting burned or singed by candle flame. Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered relatively nontoxic, but can produce stomach discomfort in pets who nibble on them.

3.Be Careful with Costumes

For some pets, wearing a costume may cause undue stress. The ASPCA recommends that you don’t put your dog or cat in a costume unless you know he or she loves it. If you do dress up your pet for Halloween, make sure the costume does not limit his or her movement, sight or ability to breathe, bark or meow. Check the costume carefully for small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that could present a choking hazard. Ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.

Be sure to have your pet try on the costume before the big night. If he or she seems distressed or shows abnormal behavior, consider letting your pet wear his or her “birthday suit” or don a festive bandana instead.

4.Keep Pets Calm and Easily Identifiable

Halloween brings a flurry of activity with visitors arriving at the door, and too many strangers can often be scary and stressful for pets. All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours. While opening the door for guests, be sure that your dog or cat doesn’t dart outside. And always make sure your pet it wearing proper identification—if for any reason he or she does escape, a collar with ID tags and/or a microchip can be a lifesaver for a lost pet.

What Not to Do When Adopting a New Dog

Adopting a new animal is fun for the entire family. But even though your dog is new to you and your home, he still requires structure and rules to thrive. As tempting as it may be, it’s not a good idea to just play things by ear. Here are 5 things you shouldn’t do when you bring your new dog home.

1.      Don’t Forget about Rules Altogether

It can be really tempting to throw all the rules out the window when you get a new dog. After all, it’s his first day at your home, and you don’t want to start off by being mean and disciplining him. However, not enforcing important rules from day 1 sets a bad precedent for your dog.

Think about it from your dog’s perspective. You laughed when he stole your slippers, and you didn’t get mad when he chewed them up. Obviously, he thinks that’s a fine occupation since it meets your approval. What will stop him from doing it again? Unless you really don’t mind him chewing up your shoes, you need to establish right away that that’s not acceptable behavior.

Obviously, there’s no need to inflict pain or even yell at your dog. Dogs can sense rather quickly whether their actions please you or not. And sometimes a non-reaction is even better, because it shows that the behavior is not worthy of praise or acknowledgement of any kind.

2.      Don’t Expect Too Much at Once

Your dog has a new home now, which means there’s a lot to learn. To make it easier on him, you shouldn’t expect too much at once. Many things might be different in your home than what he’s used to. If there are several behavioral issues you’d like to work on, then it might help to start with one at a time.

For example, if your dog likes to jump, it’s important to cure him of that habit. If he squeezes out the door when you go for a walk without waiting for you, you need to address this, too. But it might help to focus on one or the other first before tackling the next problem. But even if you only focus on one habit, you should always praise him when you observe the desired behavior, such as greeting you without jumping or waiting for you to go through the door first.

3.      Don’t Overwhelm Your Dog

Your dog needs some downtime just like everyone else. Meeting new people, exploring a new home, and discovering new smells is very stimulating for him. For the first few days, you can take him for a walk through the neighborhood, but you probably shouldn’t plan a road trip or invite lots of visitors to your home.

If the neighborhood walks seem to be too stimulating for your new dog, then you can dial it down even more by sticking to your backyard or the front lawn. It’s also a good idea to show him where to do his business from the beginning if you have a preference.

4.      Don’t Expect Him to Want Company All the Time

If your dog has a safe place to retreat to, he can seek some calm whenever he needs it. It’s important to teach everyone in your family to respect the dog’s privacy in that location, whether that’s his crate, a special blanket, or a corner under the desk.

To show him his safe area, you could place his food dishes nearby or put down a special treat, such as a chewy bone. Every dog is different. Some may crave company and enjoy being around you from the start, where others need more time alone until they feel comfortable with their surroundings. If possible, follow your dog’s cue.

5.      Don’t Expect Same Behavior You Saw Initially

People act differently around other people. It’s almost as if we all have several personalities. There is the working you, there is the domestic you, there is the parent, child, or sibling in you, and then there’s the you as you present yourself to strangers. It’s similar for dogs.

Your dog is still the same dog that you saw at the shelter, but you’ll probably explore new sides of him as you get to know each other. He may be shy with strangers, or he may be playful with everyone he meets and only show you his vulnerable, calmer side. Part of the fun of adopting a dog is enjoying this getting-to-know-each-other phase.

5 Signs You're Ready to Adopt a Dog

You may have dreamed of getting a dog since you were a kid, but your parents wouldn’t let you have one. Or maybe your family has always had dogs, and you can’t wait to carry on the tradition. But getting a dog is not like buying a car or a new computer. Dogs require you to spend time with them, most of all. Here are 5 signs that show you might be ready to adopt a dog.

1.      You Have Time to Train and Play with Your Dog

Dogs are social animals. They love companionship, and if it was up to them, they would be with you 24 hours of every day. Fortunately, they’ll settle for much less than that. But you do have to make the commitment to spend a significant portion of your waking time with the dog.

If you’re getting a puppy or a younger dog, you should plan some time to train them. Even an older dog can benefit from training sessions. Besides, these can be fun for both of you as you’re learning to communicate with each other. You also need time to provide active play for your dog. You don’t have to go running with him, although most dogs would love that, but going for walks with him and throwing the ball or frisbee for him can take up many hours of your free time. Fortunately, that’s a lot of fun.

Your dog also needs downtime and cuddle time, too, but that’s easier to combine with other activities you’re already engaging in, such as reading a book or watching TV.

2.      You Have the Means to Care for Him

You don’t have to be rich to own a dog, but you do have to have the means to care for him. If you’re already struggling to feed your family, then having to purchase dog food may put you over the limit on your grocery budget. You should also think about paying for the vet for regular checkups, shots, and when your dog gets ill.

For unexpected vet visits, it helps to establish a savings fund that you pay into every month. You could also consider pet health insurance to see if that would be beneficial for you and reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.

3.      Be Ready for a Long-Term Commitment

Dogs don’t live as long as some birds do, but even 12 or 16 years is a long time to commit to caring for an animal. It’s easy to see how a dog can fit into your life right now, but can you say for certainty that you are ready to care for a dog for the next 10+ years? If the answer is no or maybe, then you should rethink the decision to adopt a dog right now. After all, having to find a new home for a pet can be traumatic for you and the dog.

4.      Your Family/Roommate Is on Board

Your dog will become a member of your family. And dog make great companions for people of all types and ages. But you still need to make sure that your family members or your roommates are on board before you bring a dog home from the shelter.

Some people just don’t like dogs, and they probably don’t even know why not. It’s also possible that someone in your immediate family is allergic to dogs. Ideally, you’ll find this out before you bring a dog home. And as much as you really want to have a dog, it’s not worth fighting over if your significant other just isn’t on the same page as you right now.

5.      You Know Which Dog Is Right for You

If you’ve been reading books about dogs, researching breeds, and learning about pet adoptions over the last few weeks, then you have a pretty good idea what type of dog you’re looking for. Do you want a small dog that can fit in your purse? Do you prefer a big dog you can go running with? Do you like an older dog who’s a little calmer, or would you prefer a puppy you can spoil?

If you already know the answers to these questions, then you might just be ready to adopt a dog. Now the trick is to not let yourself get distracted when you visit the shelter by big brown puppy eyes. Instead, you should explore the dogs’ temperaments to find out which one is your perfect match.

How to Help Your Newly Adopted Dog Adjust

Your pet may not be able to talk to you, but dogs can feel anxious just like humans. Leaving the shelter and going to a new home is a joyous occasion, but your dog doesn’t know that. In fact, he’ll probably be nervous about his new surroundings. The following 3 tips should help him adjust.

1.      Prepare Your Home for Your New Dog

Before you bring your new companion home, you need to set up your home accordingly. While it can be tempting to adopt a dog as soon as you see it, it’s easier for your dog if you don’t spend all day running around trying to get organized. He won’t mind spending another day at the shelter. After all, he’s being cared for there, too, and the surroundings are familiar to him. Take a deep breath and get the things you need.

You’ll want to set up a crate to keep your dog and your belongings safe while you’re not there to watch him. Many dog owners also use the crate for their dogs to sleep in at night, but that’s a personal decision you’ll have to make when the time comes.

Next, you need a food bowl, a water dish, and of course, dog food. Most dogs aren’t picky eaters, but if you want to make the transition a little easier for him, you could ask the shelter what they’ve been feeding the dogs and buy the same kind of food. If your new dog has only been at the shelter for a few days, then it probably doesn’t matter as much.

If you have a lot of valuables and precious knickknacks in your home, it’s a good idea to put them in a safer place for now, just in case. Some dogs will play with anything they can get their teeth on, while others may accidentally knock something over just by wagging their tail.

Another thing you can do to prepare is to decide on which words to use for dog training now. You want to be consistent and not confuse the dog, and everyone in your family should be on board. Speaking of family, it’s a good idea to take your family members with you to meet the dog at the shelter before you bring him home.

2.      Make His First Day Easy

The first day in a new home can be stressful for a dog. If you think back on your first day at work, you probably understand why. He doesn’t know you or your family, the house is new to him, and nothing smells familiar. To make it easier for your new friend, it’s a good idea to provide calm surroundings. That means you need to warn the kids or send them outside to release some energy before allowing them to pet the dog. The kids are bound to be excited, but even young ones can understand that a new dog has to get used to them first.

If it’s possible, you should bring your dog home on a day that you don’t have to go to work. It will help you get to know him better and allow you to follow his schedule as far as mealtimes and daily walks go. You can also bring the dog home in the evening if the next day is a day off for you to maximize the time with him before you have to leave.

3.      What You Can Expect for the First Few Weeks

The first few weeks will be spent getting to know each other better. It will take some time for your new dog to thaw out and show his ‘true colors’. He may be very playful and loving, but those character traits won’t become obvious until he feels safe and loved in his new home.

Now is a good time to enroll him in obedience training if he has never had any. It’s not just about training your dog, either. Obedience training can help you understand your dog better and form a bond between the two of you. After all, you both have to work together to pass the class.

It’s a good idea to watch how your dog interacts with other dogs and animals during the first few weeks. Not all dogs enjoy playing with other dogs, but yours might be a social butterfly. As you’re learning what motivates your dog, he’s also learning more about you. Before you know it, the two of you will be inseparable.