Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Get Your Sparkle On! It's Almost The 4th of July

It's almost that time of year when spirits run high, noise is good and we especially want to strut the red, white and blue showing our pride in the USA. As a companion animal advocate, I take pride in the fact that we value our pets so very much and the special contributions they make to our lives. Our newspapers are carrying articles about how the vast majority of us don't consider our furry friends just as 'pets', but as members of our families. Below we have Sasha and Maizy, two members of one of those loving families modeling their patriotic neckwear in anticipation of the upcoming holiday.




Their mom supported the Santa Cruz Humane Society in Nogales, AZ with her purchase. All sales at the Astrid Nicole Etcetera's Etsy shop benefit this shelter where Astrid also made her home for an undetermined length of time, coming to live in her forever home December, 28, 2006.


When adding to your family, remember the many homeless pets just waiting for that special person to walk through the door making 'happily every after' a reality for them too. Adopt, don't shop!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Dog Days of Summer




The dog days of summer are almost here. During this parching period Sirius, the "Dog Star," rises and sets with the sun from mid-July until September. This period is typified by the hot, sultry weather of July and August. You have probably observed how animals instinctively deal with the heat associated with dog days. Driving by country farms, you'll notice cows and other farm animals all gathered under the shade of a tree, not moving, sharing each other's company, much the same as people used to enjoy their front porches long before air conditioning.


This time of year is also a time for picnics, strolling through street fairs and just lounging with the family in the air conditioned comfort of home. Shown are Tucker, Sasha and Sugar doing exactly that in their Astrid Nicole Etcetera original bandana designs.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Giving Back Feels Good







Sunday's visitation to the Alzheimer's Center was a lot of fun. This is a beautiful center that reminds one of a luxury hotel. It consists of two buildings, with one being a locked door center requiring a code to enter and leave each wing.





So many of the residents share stories of their own pets while enjoying Astrid's visit. Astrid was showing off her repetoire of tricks and one lady remarked 'girls don't shake hands, they give wet sloppy kisses'. She then leaned forward for a few smoochies from Astrid who, when invited, will give little gentle kisses. Another lady would have liked Astrid to sit in her lap which, of course she couldn't due to size and safety.






Many of us want to 'give back' something to the world. Therapy Pet work is a wonderful way!