Tag: dog

It is a lovely thing when we get to have relationships with loved ones… and that includes the dog! I find it fascinating that the majority of our separation anxiety clients (i.e., those who's dog display's separation anxiety) are either single or just two people in the family. Is this some sort of self-selecting process? Maybe, or perhaps families with kids have a different level of at-home time so the separation anxiety is not as prevalent. It is worthy of research in my opinion.

Getting a dog is not a decision to be made on a whim. So, before presenting the idea to your husband or wife, show that you’ve fully thought through each aspect of having a dog. Here are some things to take the time to consider:

  1. Dogs take a lot of time and energy: You could impress your spouse by showing that you know how much time and work it takes to raise a dog. Take it one step further and put plans in place.

This Thanksgiving, we Americans will polish off 46 million turkeys, 30 million green bean casseroles, and countless other calorie-crammed comfort foods, according to according to the National Turkey Federation, a trade association; and Del Monte, seller of canned green beans. After all, feasting on Thanksgiving is as American as apple—er, pumpkin—pie. But as wonderful as our eating traditions are, they’ve also created another kind of not-so-pleasant tradition: rushing our beloved pups off to the vet after they’ve indulged in an unhealthy, sometimes poisonous Thanksgiving feast.

Our two dogs—what my wife and me considered our first "children"—graduated to the dog park in the sky.

Ivy, a 16-year-old blue Merle Australian shepherd, and Hunter, a 14-year-old black chow shepherd mix, lived long, relatively healthy lives. However, in the end, we felt we had to assist them along their journey allowing them to leave with dignity and not suffer unduly.

Both Ivy and Hunter were adopted after an early life of abuse. Ivy sprung back very well after she adjusted to her new family.

Whether the you and your spouse are in your first house or you have been in your neighborhood for awhile, keeping good relations with the neighbors can make a big difference in your quality of life. Here are a few etiquette tips to reduce friction and keep the peace with your neighbors.

1. Say hello. A friendly smile and wave to a neighbor when you go out and get the mail can go a long way toward creating a pleasant atmosphere.

It's interesting that pets are often granted a level of unconditional love that many spouses can only dream of receiving. What would happen if you made a conscious effort to treat your spouse as well as you treat your family pet? Try these simple tips and see what happens.

1. Show some enthusiasm. After a long day at the office, greet your spouse with the same enthusiasm you exhibit when you see your pet for the first time since breakfast. Use the same smile, give him a big hug (even before you hug the dog) and act happy to see him walk through the door.