Birthdays Are A Blessing

Aren't birthdays a blessing?  Funny how women will tease and make jokes when it comes to birthdays, and yet we should stand on a hilltop and open our arms wide and embrace the blessing of yet another year.  I did just that for someone else's birthday, my eldest dog, Cocoa.  He is the sweet boy on the header of this blog.  He turned 12 last week on the 17th!  "Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you..."  I've been singing that since last week.  The dogs love it.  We all dance around excited and happy and sing and bark to Cocoa.   

It used to be that dogs were young seniors at age 12, more and more it is a rarity.  I know less and less highly aged senior dogs each year, and I see more and more dying from diseases that are young.  Just last week a sweet dog boy of 6 years died of renal failure. 

My mother in law called me last week and read me an article where there had been a study that found excessive levels of toxins in dogs and cats.  They are exposed to so many bad things in the yards, in poorly made treats and food.  Please make sure you are feeding premium food, keeping your dog's exposure to chemicals at a minimum, and limit vaccinations.  Go to the link about the article and you can find all kinds of ways to protect your pet.  Do research, purchase the best food and treats you can get your hands on and afford.  Don't buy bad treats just because good ones are more expensive, you can buy organic dried apple slices, organic banana chips, organic baby carrots, fresh fruit and berries!  So much better than any over processed, poorly nutritious, chemical laden treat! 

Give your dog every possible chance to be healthy.  "Set them up to succeed" is something I say all the time in classes.  Set them up to succeed in health as well.  Give them many, many Happy Birthdays! 

I have been having fun celebrating Cocoa's birthday all month.  He has too!  Heck, I might celebrate it all year, along with all the other birthday's to celebrate.  Do the same.  Stand up and let the sun hit your face, lean back, spread your arms wide and celebrate with abandon another day of life.  Yours and those you love around you.

Happy Birthday Cocoa - all year long!   

Till later, woofs.