Pet Resolutions

I am not really one for making New Year’s resolutions.  However, the beginning of a new year does seem like the ideal time to reflect on the past year and set goals for the next.  OK, that probably really is what a resolution is, maybe I feel like calling it a resolution can set a person up to fail.  But I also feel like this is just a good time to re-focus and get back on track, after the holidays.  The holidays always seem to disrupt the routine, and I am a creature of routine, just like my dogs are.  This year was especially difficult because I had hand surgery, plus my husband and I have both been sick with colds and flu, which disrupted our routines even more.  It was kind of a good thing for the dogs, as we were home a little more though.  Then we took the week after Christmas off, and they really enjoyed that.   So now that the New Year is here, it is time to get thinking about where I want to go.   So for the sake of simplicity, we’ll call it resolutions, and hope for the best!

I have two categories for my resolutions; one for my own pets, and one for animal welfare.  Both tie in to my work on this blog.

At home:

• I have already discussed this in a previous post, that I need to walk our senior beagle, Kobi, more.  I tend to hibernate in the winter, but Kobi still needs his exercise, and he does not get it playing ball like his siblings do.  My snowshoes have been dug out of storage, and I plan to blaze some trails around our property and get out there.  Just please could that cold wind stop blowing, and could we have a little more sunshine?

  

• I need to spend more time brushing and grooming our golden retrievers.  I am so jealous when I see photos of beautifully groomed retrievers, and then I look at mine and they always look like a mess!  They’d rather be outside playing than inside being brushed.  Moses loves to be brushed though, but he insists on lying down on his side when I do it, so he’s often only brushed on one side.  Sheba is very high energy, and standing still to have anything done to her is always a project.  This early winter has been especially challenging because for some reason, they both have been shedding their undercoats like crazy.  Anyone who has a golden can probably relate to “plucking” the tufts of hair out that just seem to be endlessly showing up.  Oh, I am pretty sure that I could spend hours brushing those dogs, and the fur would never stop coming off.  Add to that the fun of the static cling this time of year.  The fur goes from them on to me.  All right, I need to stop making all these excuses and just do it!
• With all the scares about chicken jerky treats, and other recalls, I would like to bake more homemade treats for my dogs.  I usually do this at the holidays, but not often at other times of year, and this year that did not even happen.  Luckily, my sister gave me this great Christmas gift, which should motivate me to get started!
• I need to spend more time trying to get my cats to play.  Every year I get them

  

  some new toy for Christmas that they really have no interest in.   I always have felt they get neglected some because the dogs demand so much more time and attention.  They also don’t get to have cute little catnip toys to bat around, because we have to worry about Sheba and Moses eating such

  

  Are we supposed to do something with that?

  things.  So I am trying to get more interactive toys, and I need to be more persistent at getting them to play with them.  My cats are beyond lazy and they need some motivation.

 

 

Animal Advocacy:

• Starting this blog, as well as my related Facebook page, has given me a great tool to advocate for animals.  Writing on the important topics, and sharing other’s posts is a great way to get the word out there on important animal issues, such as:

1. Animal testing
2. Spaying/Neutering
3. Puppy Mills  (Adopt/Don’t Shop)
4. No Kill Nation
5. Finding lost animals

I have written on some of these topics, and have yet to cover others.  Sometimes I wonder if it would be better to focus on one topic, but I feel they all are equally important.  I want to expand my puppy mill series as well as covering these other issues.

• I also want to step it up a level.  Using the tools I have, my blog and Facebook, are great.  I donate money here and there as I can afford to also.  However, I feel I now need to step it up a level.  For starters, I am going to begin writing letters to Congress and the government and to companies that still test on animals.  I will share these letters with you, as a way to encourage you to do the same, as well as to prove I am sticking to my resolutions!

There are a couple ways I would also like to step it up on my blog.  I’d like to get working on my photography of my pets more.  When I look at my own photos, especially compared to some I see on other awesome blogs, (check out Tales and Tails) I find it hard to believe that photography was once a career I considered.  I’ve really slacked off in that department.  I have the equipment to do better.  I just need to get familiar with my cameras, and then find some more patience with my less than cooperative pets!

I originally started this blog with the hope of making some money at it.  I need to work a little more on ways to build my readership, so that advertising will be worthwhile.  I also need to look into other ways to make it profitable.  If I can make some money doing this, I can spend more time on it.  I love that this is something I do at home, so that it also gives me more time to be with my pets.  I am enjoying this so much, and I want to be able to keep it going.

There, my goals are set.  Even if you don’t make official resolutions either, I hope you are going into the New Year with the hope that we can all do more to help animals, whether it be spending more time with your own pets, or helping others.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!