Tag Archives: pets

Fur You Only: 7 Reasons Why It Is Good to Raise Kids With Pet

Black and Tan Long Coat Dog

So your kids have been asking for a pet as a gift. As their parent, you’re uncertain whether they’re up for a commitment as big as taking care of a kitten or a puppy. The problem is, their sweet faces are too adorable to resist! How about shifting your focus on the benefits you’ll enjoy once your family starts raising children with pets around?

Your child asking for a pet is more than just wishing for a hot new toy. They see animals, big or small, as a potential best friend, a companion they can cuddle when you’re too busy doing chores. It also helps them have a positive emotional development as they grow up. Discover more of the reasons why it’s beneficial for children to grow up with pets below:

Pets Teach Kids Responsibility and Empathy

When taking care of an animal in the house, it is normal for them to become dependent on the human they trust the most. Usually that person would be your child. After spending time with each other, your child can’t help but predict the needs of their pets. They would even worry if they notice their rabbit, dog, or cat looks sad.

All these activities will slowly teach your kids the value and beauty of responsibility and empathy. For example, your child has been worrying about your golden retriever scratching nonstop for several days already. They will then start looking for options with you, such as browsing through websites like the Aristopet website for a remedy.

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Pets Help Improve Language Skills Among Children

You might not believe it, but child development and relationships with animals are interconnected. So, if you want to enrich your kid’s language skills, having a pet for them to talk to all the time comfortably can help. Animals are so much more than a simple animated toy; they can even be emotional support for your child to rely on when growing up.

Pets Decrease the Risk of Asthma and Allergies

Some studies prove exposure to animals has decreased the chances of allergic rhinitis among 7 to 9-year olds and asthma among 12 to 13-year olds. Most children who have had pets growing up also had negative skin tests for outdoor (grass and ragweed) and indoor (dust and pet-mite) allergens.

All these reasons may help you to take the plunge into pet ownership. Whatever you decide, be a responsible pet owner and make sure the pet you choose fits your lifestyle.

Woman in Yellow Sweater While Reading a Book

 

Pets Encourage Your Child to Be More Active

Hiking with your adventurous cat or taking your dog for a walk helps encourage your kids to go outside and be more active. In this situation the world has now, children are forced to spend most of their time in online classes, making their physical activities more limited.

But when you allow your child  to take care of a pet, they can enjoy all health-related benefits of an active outdoor lifestyle. Just by playing fetch with their dogs, children can get at least 5 hours of physical activity. That’s a big number, considering this remote set-up.

Group of trekkers with dog resting on mountain top

Pets Make Relationship Among Family Members Grow Stronger

Animals around your house help relationships among family members grow much stronger. As you spend more time with your pets, they tend to become the focus of all your activities, allowing you to have common things to talk about together.

For example, you can drive as a family to have your cat checked in a veterinary clinic. Or, your kids can share responsibilities with feeding, grooming, or playing with the dog. This leads to siblings going along, making them happier and comfortable. Pets can even distract your children from fighting or shouting at each other.

Pets Can Reduce Loneliness and Boredom

Most kids are often easily bored, which leads them to feel lonelier at the house. Pets are a great companion for kids of all ages. They can play together, snuggle up on the couch, or sleep beside each other. Besides, children often talk to their pets differently as they do with grown-ups.

With imagination as creative as children have, they imagine their cats or dogs talking back to them, making them less lonely, especially now that they don’t get to see other kids their age. At least, having an animal around the house allows them to have a reliable friend to hang out with.

Pets Increase Your Family’s Sense of Security

Pets, especially dogs, can help increase your family’s sense of security as they can easily scare off burglars or trespassers just as much as alarm systems. Animals like birds and cats are also sensitive to strange sounds, so they can alert you whenever there’s trouble around the area.

Takeaway

Apart from the treasured moments and memories, animals can give your kids, they can also help in improving their emotional development and physical health. If you’re still hesitant about getting a pet for your child, this can be your sign to adopt or go to the nearest pet store to grab your kid’s dream puppy or kitten.

Short-coat Brown Dog Lying on Snow

 

This is a collaborative guest post. The ideas presented do not necessarily represent those of Mommy Ramblings.


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What You Need To Know Before Getting A Dog In NYC

labrador, NYC, Adoption, Dog

I cannot remember a time when I did not have a dog. I was born into a family with a beloved Cocker Spaniel who would watch over me like the nanny dog from Peter Pan. Through the years dogs were always part of our family.

When I married and had my own family, it was not long before we added a four-legged family member to our brood. Today we have three dogs who enrich our lives. My daughter, my oldest child lives in NYC. She is a young, single woman working as an executive in Manhattan. She longs to have a dog of her own. However, living in the city, there are some important things to consider before bringing home a puppy.

Puppy or Dog

When choosing to add a canine best friend to your life, you might be daydreaming of a cuddly little puppy. However, you should consider the amount of attention and training a new puppy will need. If you work long hours and your new pup will be left alone, a puppy may not be the right choice.

An adult dog, one already house trained may be a better choice. With an adult dog, you can see their full size, temperament and energy levels clearly. You will also not have to deal with the stages of puppyhood that are not always pleasant.

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Housing Considerations

Is your building pet friendly? This is something you need to make sure of before bringing home a puppy or dog. Just because a building is listed as pet friendly does not mean dog friendly. Some buildings only allow cats while others have strict restrictions on the size and breeds allowed. Make sure you inquire about any restrictions before falling in love with that doggie.

Other things to consider especially if searching for a new pad in NYC for you and your prospective pooch are what type of flooring and if there is any outdoor yard space. There are some great pet-friendly buildings with amazing amenities, designed to make living in NYC with your new best friend, awesome!

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Size and Breed

If you live in a tiny NYC apartment, a large dog might pose a huge challenge. Sharing a small studio with a huge St. Bernard would probably be uncomfortable for the both of you. This is not to say, you must have a toy breed. Many city dwellers are able to manage mid to large size dogs like labradors quite easily. In fact a well-trained labrador, can be a pleasure to have as your canine companion.

Labradors come in different colors, they are known for their friendly temperament and will bond with all members of the family and are usually social with other dogs. They do love to exercise so, you will want to make sure they get plenty of walks and romps in the park. If you are looking for a running pal, a labrador whether yellow, chocolate or black, in one dog to consider. Get Your Pet is a great resource for finding your new best friend.

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Important Resources

Living in NYC, you will find no shortage of dog walkers and doggie daycares. Just because you work during the day, does not mean you cannot have a great life with your dog. Taking steps to make sure your pooch is entertained and exercised during the work day, is essential to your dogs health and happiness.

Find a good veterinarian before you bring your new pal home. If you have friends and family in the area who have a dog, ask them about their vet. Chances are they are using one they like and can give you a recommendation. Keeping up with routine health care can help your dog live a happy and healthy life.

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This post is part of a partnership between Nakturnal and Mommy Ramblings. As always, my views and words are 100% my own.

 

 

 

 

 

 


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Filed under Dogs, Home & Garden, Life, Pets

Neptune & CO. Collar and Leash Set Giveaway

We are pleased to bring you a great holiday gift guide pick for your canine family and friends. Collar and leash sets from Neptune & CO. are functional and stylish. Even better, when you purchase a matching collar and leash set today you can save $4! Every purchase helps save dogs in need! Neptune & CO. donate $1 or more to a non-profit rescue organization for every product sold. That’s a gift you can really feel good about.

Neptune & CO. Giveaway

Check out my video below to see all the great features of these collar and leash sets.

We have added collar and leash sets from Neptune & CO. to our 2018 Holiday Gift Guide at Mommy Ramblings.

Neptune & CO. Giveaway

Giveaway

Neptune & CO. is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky winner will win the collar and leash set in the size and style of their choice (subject to availability)! Thank you Neptune & CO. for the review leash and collar set and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. Open to US residents.

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Neptune & CO. Collar and Leash Set Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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Glass Vs Acrylic Fish Tanks. Which One Should You Buy?

When you are looking for a fish tank, the first choice you need to make, is whether you want glass or acrylic.  Acrylic tanks are more expensive than glass tanks, but they do last longer. Glass is more affordable, but it probably will not last as long. If you are not sure what to choose, check out our glass vs acrylic comparison below to decide what is best for you.

Scratch Resistance

Glass tanks are more scratch resistant than acrylic tanks. To scratch a glass tank you would need to use something hard with a good deal of force. On the contrary, acrylic tanks can scratch easily. With an acrylic tank, a cleaning pad that has sand or gravel on it, can scratch and blemish your tank walls.

Acrylic tanks may even get scratched during shipping from the manufacture to the store. Acrylic is much more delicate than glass. With an acrylic tank, you need to be careful about the types of cleaning solutions and products you use. Make sure all products are safe for acrylic surfaces.

If you do damage your acrylic tank, the good news is, they are easy to clean and repair. Kits to repair and polish acrylic aquariums are readily available. Never use any abrasive chemicals in an attempt to repair your tank.

Lightweight

The dense nature of glass means that acrylic tanks are much lighter, glass tanks are generally 4 to 10 times heavier than acrylic. If you plan on having to move your tank frequently, you might be better off with an acrylic tank.

An acrylic tank will put less stress on whatever is supporting it. Even though acrylic tanks are lighter, the water and aquarium decorations will add weight. Still, there is no doubt that moving an empty acrylic tank is easier than moving a glass tank.

Durability

Since glass is weaker than acrylic, it is more prone to breaks and cracks. If something crashes into the tank with force, it can crack or even worse, break. In most cases, a crack can make the whole tank useless. A leaking tank can damage any electronics stored under the tank as well.

On the other hand, you need much more force to break or crack acrylic. While light impact will not break an acrylic tank, it will probably scratch it.

Flexibility and Distortion

Since glass is dense and rigid, trying to create non-rectangular tanks is very difficult. Thus, buying a non-rectangular tank, is expensive.  Since glass has a different index of refraction than water, light gets bent four times when passing through the tank. This means the image that gets reflected back is distorted. So colors, position and size will not be as true.

Acrylic has nearly the same index of refraction as water. This means, when you look at the fish in an acrylic tank, light has only been bent once or twice. This makes the fish look true to their actual size and color.

Conclusion

As stated above, acrylic tanks cost more and are easier to scratch, but they don’t chip, crack and break like glass tanks. Glass tanks are more resistant to scratching but are heavier and have more distortion than acrylic.

You need to carefully weigh the pros and cons when comparing glass and acrylic tanks. While both tanks can create a beautiful aquarium, your own needs should help you decide between glass vs acrylic aquariums.

Regardless of which construction you choose, be sure you create the best possible environment for you fish to help them thrive. Tanks require regular cleaning, proper filtration and water testing. Fish and other aquatic creatures need proper nutrition and a healthy habitat. With some planning and research, your new aquarium can add beauty and tranquility to your life.

This is a collaborative guest post. The ideas and views expressed are not necessarily those of Mommy Ramblings.


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NurishPet Alaskan Salmon Oil Chews for Dogs #Giveaway

Do you consider your dogs members of your family like we do? If so, you probably want to make sure that you help them stay as healthy as possible. We have three dogs, a Maltese, a West Highland White Terrier and an American Bulldog.

I was excited to learn about, NurishPet Natural Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil Supplement Chews.  These heart-shaped salmon oil chews are gluten-free and  contain ingredients that benefit your dog’s health and wellness, enhancing your dog’s immune system, metabolism, brain functions and thyroid function. Best of all, they taste great and dogs love them. After all, what good is a supplement if your dog won’t eat it?

The supplements are heart-shaped which reminds me that they are made with heart healthy, all natural ingredients. These delicious dog chews are rich in Omega 3 and Omega 6 and contain fatty acids as well as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Kelp.

All of the ingredients work together to improve your dog’s heart health, benefit skin and coat conditions, reduce hip and joint problems along with inflammation and protect your dog against free radicals.

You will love how they work to reduce shedding and improve coat quality. The Omega 3 and Omega 6 work to restore softness and brilliant shine to your four-legged friend’s coat. Supplements work well on all sizes of dogs from small to extra-large!

The soft chewable supplements are perfect for young or older dogs. Supplements are safe for teeth and gums and the no-heat manufacturing process means that your dog will get the full nutritional value of the raw ingredients.

Best of all, these supplements are made in the USA and come with a 100% no questions, money back guarantee. What have you got to lose? Enter below for you chance to win a canister of these great supplements for your dog.

Giveaway:

Win NurishPet Dog Treats #3


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Save 30% on Personalized Gifts for your Child, Pet, Family & More! #Giveaway


Unique gifts like personalized books, board games, placemats and more celebrate the recipient and can even include their family and pet in the fun. I See Me! makes it easy to give gifts that will make every child a star.

I love giving I See Me! products to my kids. The look on their faces, when they discover they are the main character of a special book, is truly priceless. This season, I created some really special gifts for my kids on the I See Me! website. It is so easy to add personalization and photos to create unique and treasured gifts.

I know my son Ethan is going to love the  personalized USA Road Trip Storybook I created for him. It is such a fun book, that will really spark his curiosity and imagination with a fun and factual geographic exploration of the United States. In the story, he receives a personalized driver’s license, hops into a magical car, and learns state names and key monuments during the journey across America. He will take a rest stop in our own state of New York to learn a few extra fun facts!

I was able to easily personalize this road trip adventure with my son’s name and the state we live in. I selected his skin tone and hair color, and uploaded a photo of  his face to be incorporated throughout the illustrations!

He is going to love it, and at the end of the book, he will see a personalized map of the United States. The book even includes a list of all 50 states with their capitals, so he can check off the names of the states that he has visited! We ordered the gift set which included a scratch off state map that he is going to just love! I cannot wait to see his face when he opens it.

For our son Luke, our dog lover, we choose the If My Dog Could Talk Storybook. I customized it for him and our American Bulldog, Delilah. I was able to choose from twelve illustrated dog styles and five colors to create a dog that really resembled our dog.

The book includes Delilah’s name and the names of four of our family members, this really makes it fun to read! This book is also a nice way to celebrate a new puppy or dog adoption or remember a lost pet. Your dog’s name and the names of up to four family member’s names (children or adults) are also included throughout the story and illustrations! Plus you can add a personal message and up to two photos on the dedication page.

For a really special gift, the book can be ordered with a personalized bandana, ornament or placemat for you pet. We ordered the book with the bandana and a personalized Christmas ornament that we already have on our Christmas Tree.

Another great gift idea on their site that is fun for the whole family is I See Me!’s new, Our Family’s Race Across the U.S.A. board game. This game makes family game night so much fun! It is a brand new addition to their extensive product line.

Take an adventure across America as you move your piece along the game board. Personalize up to six game pieces with photos of your family member’s faces so they can “travel” from space to space. Your family’s names will also be incorporated into the game board artwork! Create lasting family memories with this uniquely personalized keepsake.

Order Now and Save 30%!

If you order by December 17th and use code CELEBRATE when you checkout, you can save 30%! This is the perfect chance to get a special gift at an amazing price! Click HERE to get started.

We love I See Me! products so much, we have added them to Mommy Ramblings’ 2017 Holiday Gift Guide. 

Giveaway

I See Me! is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win their own Personalized, Our Family’s Race Across the U.S.A. Board Game! Thank you to I See Me! for the review items and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! Open to US residents.

I See Me!  Our Family’s Race Across the U.S.A. Personalized Board Game Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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Eliminate Cat Litter Odor the Easy Way! #StopCatLitterSmell #LitterGenie

Do you love your cat but hate the smell of the litter box. If so, you should check out the Litter Genie Pail. The Litter Genie is a convenient way to dispose of used cat litter and helps to eliminate the stinky odor that goes along with it.
The three step process will keep your home fresh and clean. Just Scoop the litter with the Litter Genie Scoop that stores conveniently on the side of the pail. Then open the lid and toss in the used litter. Last, pull the handle and you are done. The litter is locked away and so are the odors.

A PURRFECT FIT
Have a small space? No problem. The Litter Genie® Pail fits in your bathroom, under the kitchen sink and in other small spaces. It’s great for apartments and basements.

AT A GLANCE: – INNOVATIVE, HASSLE-FREE CAT LITTER DISPOSAL SYSTEM

  • Locks litter and odor away in 3 simple steps
  • Easy and convenient to use
  • Pail holds up to two weeks of cat litter (for one cat)
  • Seven-layer refill bag with odor barrier technology locks away odors & germs
  • Compact pail design that fits anywhere
  • Added antimicrobial inhibits odors caused by bacteria on the pail
  • Meow

We love the Litter Genie for the ease of use and the great way it locks odors away. It makes our home a happy, fresh home for us and our cat Max. You can follow Litter Genie on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay in the loop with them. Have you tried the Litter Genie?

 
This post is sponsored by BrandBacker. As always my words and views are 100% my own.


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Filed under Home & Garden, Pets, Review

The Smart Weigh To Ship Your Packages! #Giveaway #HolidayGiftGuide

Tis’ the season for sending packages. When you are shipping packages and want to print your labels at home, it is important that you weigh them accurately. If your package weight is off, you will either pay more or risk the package being sent back or sent to your recipient with fees owed.

sending-packages

Some people rely on bathroom scales but they are not made to weigh packages. They also can be highly inaccurate. Do you earn extra income selling on eBay or Amazon? If so, you really need to have something better than a bathroom scale.

I want to share a scale I found to be perfect for all my shipping needs. It is the the Smart Weigh USPS UPS Digital Postal Scale.

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This scale is heavy duty and has a weight capacity of 440 lbs. It features a high quality stainless steel platform and has an easy to read LCD display. This scale is great for home or office use.

 This scale has some very nice features, use the TARE option to consecutively weigh multiple items, the PCS function accurately gives you a count of items that weigh the same. This scale operates on a 9 Volt battery that is included but it also has a USB cord to use as an additional power source. The scale can display the weight in kg/g/lb/lb:oz and comes with a 2 year warranty.

smart-weigh-postal-scale-1

I was very impressed with this scale, I weighed a variety of items including my kids and my husband, a new vacuum, a 10 lb bag of sugar and more. It was highly accurate and I like that you don’t have to lean over to see the reading. The display is able to be placed eye level or on a counter so that it is easy to read and not obscured by a package.

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I have the protective film on still, it is beautiful stainless steel underneath. The OCD is telling me to leave it on so it stays nice. lol

It is easy to operate and has a beautiful gleaming stainless steel platform. We really like the versatility of the USB cable and the high weight capacity. It is really nice to have a shipping scale with a large weight capacity like that. I can even weigh my dogs on it! We think this scale makes a great gift and are adding it to Mommy Ramblings’ 2016 Holiday Gift Guide!

smart-weigh-scale-4

Would you like a chance to win one just like this? If so, enter below through the Rafflecopter widget. Check out all the Smart Weigh products, they have scales for everything!

Giveaway:

Better Basics is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win a Smart Weigh USPS UPS Digital Postal Scale. Thank you to Better Basics for the review product and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

Smart Weigh USPS UPS Digital Postal Scale Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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How To Keep The People & Things You Love Most Close To You

soufeel logo

What are the meaningful things in your life. Maybe you are thinking about your family, your husband, your kids, your pets, your hobbies or your career. Would you like to showcase those things in a way where you could have them with you and be able to share them with others? If you think that sounds nice, a charm bracelet may just be something you would like. Did you know you can make personalized photo charms using photos of your family and pets? Some can be engraved with names and dates to make them even more special.

soufeel inspir charm

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soufeel new article

Charm bracelets make beautiful gifts to celebrate anniversaries, graduations, holidays and more. Right now you can save big on charms at Soufeel. They have a sale going on where you can get up to 60% off personalized charms. Plus they have $5 off $60, $10 off $100 and $20 off $150!

I love Soufeel charms because they have such a great selection of charms and whether you want family charms, inspirational charms, charms that represent your hobby or career, you are probably going to find it on their site.

Their charms are very high quality and so detailed. All of their products are made of 100% 925 Sterling Silver. I love Soufeel charms and recently orders some personalized photo charms and others. Check out the great charms I choose.

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soufeel sept 2

soufeel camera

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soufeel family charm new

soufeel heart new

soufeel new heart photo charm

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soufeel photo charm new

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soufeel new article bracelet

 

I was provided with charms and a bracelet to facilitate my review. As always my words and views are 100% my own.

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Filed under Faith, Family, jewelry, Life Stages, Review

Do You Have a Very Good, Very Bad Cat? #Giveaway

Do you have a cat or know someone who does? Chances are you said yes to one or two of those questions. Whether it is yourself or someone else, truth is many people share their homes and lives with a cat. Maybe your cat is an angel or maybe you swear you have the worst cat on the planet. More than likely you will say your cat can be so good and then at times be so very bad. In Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Very Good, Very Bad Cat , you will find 101 funny, heartwarming, and sometimes mind-boggling stories all about all the very good, very bad, simply amazing things our cats do.

my verygood very bad cat

They come in all shapes, sizes, and personalities. From silly to sophisticated, from impish to affectionate, and everywhere in between, our cats are important and beloved members of our families. Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Very Good, Very Bad Cat will have readers of all breeds laughing, commiserating, and maybe even shedding a tear. These 101 heartwarming, humorous and completely true stories about our feline friends are sure to touch every cat lover’s soul. Perfect for every cat’s person.

 

my very bad cat

 

 

Chicken Soup For The Soul is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  Three lucky Mommy Ramblings’ blog readers will win their own copy of My Very Good, Very Bad Cat. Thank you to Chicken Soup For The Soul Publishing for the review book and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

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