Purple and Paws
Advice and stories from one dog to lover to another
When I first adopted Socks, I had visions of us visiting the dog park once a week and stopping to greet all our furry neighbors on each walk. Then reality crushed my dreams on his second day home. We were on our morning walk, our next-door-neighbor approached with her dog, saying, “Let’s let them sniff,” …
Have you ever noticed that your dog has different barks for different occasions? If you have, good for you for being so observant. If you haven’t, don’t fret. Many owners don’t realize that their pets’ barks can differ wildly. Read on for a lesson in barking basics.
Just like humans, dogs don’t enjoy taking medicine. When you’re a pet parent, the time inevitably comes when you’ll need to give your furbaby a drug he or she does not want to take. Here are some tips on how to give your dog medicine in a way that’s easy for you and your dog.
Pet parents know the importance of taking their dog to see the vet every year (and sometimes more as your dog grows older). But it’s also important to do a weekly health check so you can catch any early warning signs of trouble before they become major health concerns.
Before I adopted Socks, my family had two dogs. Whenever we would see another dog during our walks, we almost never let them meet and greet because we weren’t sure how they would react (and since most of the time their hair stood up and they started growling, this was probably wise). But Socks is …
One of the hardest things about pet parenting is figuring out the right kind of food to feed your dog. With so many different brands and types of food available, choosing a diet plan can be overwhelming. Let’s break down the ketogenic diet for any curious dog parents out there.
As a pet industry freelance writer, this is the time of year that my Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram feed all fill with posts about keeping dogs safe on the 4th of July. Today I even read an article in my local newspaper about how the city shelters are bracing for an influx of pets during …
Sleek white furniture, cream carpets, sparkling tile, dust-and-dirt-free car…if you’re a dog owner, all of the things I just described are fantasies. Having a dog means hairs and messes and germs. Lots of germs. Here are some easy ways to combat germs when you own a dog.
A few weeks ago, Socks and I escaped the triple-digit heat here in Phoenix and went up to Pinetop-Lakeside with my parents. We stayed in a lovely little cabin in the woods, and Socks enjoyed chasing squirrels, sniffing pine cones, and lounging on our porch. Before that trip, I’d never taken Socks into the woods …
Summertime means heat which means us humans gravitate towards water, and we usually bring our dogs along. Water safety for children is a big deal but did you also ever consider how to keep your dog safe around water? Here are some essential dog water safety tips to keep in mind this summer.