Helping Your Dog Have a Safe Halloween

Halloween is a lot of fun for kids and adults, but it is not always the greatest time for your pet. The doorbell ringing, people at the door dressed in strange clothing, taking things from your house. All of this can be pretty confusing and frightening for your dog.

You can play it safe with your dog on Halloween with a few easy tips:

1. Keep all candy, particularly chocolate, out of reach. This means keeping it way up high, as dogs are very curious as to what is going on and can reach a lot higher than you sometimes give them credit for.

2. Cellophane and wrappers can block intestinal tracts so secure all rubbish. Also watch for leftover Halloween litter while walking your pooch the next day. Dogs can descend upon a treasure, scoop it up and swallow it faster than you can blink. Be sure to look for items on the ground and maneuver your pup away from them.

3. Be smart with decorations. Wagging tails can easily knock over lit candles and jack-o-lanterns. Not such a problem with the small dogs, but they have more of a tendency to jump up on items and knock them over. Just always keep a watchful eye out for them.

4. Only dress your dog in a costume if he can tolerate it. Don't cover her eyes or airways. As much as we love to dress our pets and think they should enjoy it as much as we do, that is not always the case. You know your dog the best, you make the judgment call.

5. Keep your dog away from the front door, especially if he is not properly socialized with children or is known to escape. You will enjoy the evening a lot more if you can greet the trick-or-treaters without having to deal with your dog going crazy or running out the door.

6. Occupy your dog and avoid anxiety with a special chew. Letting them stay in a back bedroom, occupied with something else usually works well. Some dogs get so worked up over the whole evening that they have to be lightly sedated.

7. Don't leave your pup outside. Pranks, taunting and theft are common this time of year. This is probably not a problem as those of us with small dogs don't leave them outside for very long, but is a good point to pass along to your friends who may have larger dogs that typically stay in the backyard. It is probably a good idea to bring them into the garage at least on Halloween night. There are a lot of strange things that go on.

We hope you have a fun, happy Halloween!!

Christmas Ornaments...Yipee!

I received two more Chihuahua Christmas ornaments yesterday to add to my collection. I can hardly wait until it is time to decorate my little Chihuahua tree!

I found this little Hallmark Keepsake ornament on eBay. It is from 2006, but in perfect, unopened condition in the collector's box and everything. The detail if superb.

The other ornament is from Laurelwood Enterprises. They make the most beautiful plates in almost every breed. Just this year, they started offering their designs in little ornaments also. Each year is a new design, so I guess I know what I will be ordering each year, huh?

I have some more cute ornaments coming. I will share when they arrive!

Sweater Weather Has Arrived!

I know we really cannot complain, it is the last part of October. It is NORMAL to have the weather be cooler now. So, it was time to put away the summer clothes and bring out the sweaters.





These pink sweaters are my favorite. I purchased them at Petco a couple years ago and cannot find them again, so I do not have one for Breezy. I don't think it bothers her near as much as it bothers me, but I keep looking. I check eBay all the time, just in case someone is selling one.





Breezy seems to really like this green one as her favorite sweater. I guess it goes well with her red hair.

The important thing is the girls are toasty warm in their sweaters. And they look so stinkin' cute.





Wish I looked so cute in anything I wear!