Category: People and their pets

Picture Parade Four Hundred and Fourteen

Yes, more photographs from Unsplash.

Photo by Bruce Warrington on Unsplash

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Photo by Karl Anderson on Unsplash

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Photo by Kieran White on Unsplash

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Photo by Kinshuk Bose on Unsplash

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Photo by Ja San Miguel on Unsplash

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Photo by Oscar Sutton on Unsplash

That is all for this week! Please take care of yourselves and your dogs!

Selling your home

As a pet owner.

This is a guest post, from Penny Martin. Penny has written guest posts previously, and I welcome another one for your reading.

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How To Style Your Home for a Successful Sale As a Pet Owner

By Penny Martin

Photo via Pexels

Selling a home is a pivotal moment, and it’s often laden with challenges, especially for pet owners. Pets are integral to many families, yet their presence in a home can affect its market appeal. The key to success lies in presenting a home that is inviting to a broad range of buyers, creating a balance where your pet-friendly environment is subtly perceptible but not overtly dominant. This comprehensive guide, presented by Learning From Dogs, delves into effective strategies for preparing your home for sale, ensuring it is welcoming and appealing to potential buyers while accommodating your pets in an understated manner.

Refurbish Pet-Caused Damages

Initiate the home staging process by addressing any visible pet-related damage. This includes repairing scratched floors, restoring torn carpets, and replacing chewed baseboards or door frames. Undertaking these repairs is essential, as it enhances the aesthetic appeal of your home and demonstrates to potential buyers that the property has been meticulously cared for. This attention to detail not only increases the home’s visual appeal but also instills confidence in buyers about the overall maintenance of the property. It’s also a good idea to take proactive measures that will prevent your pet from exhibiting destructive behaviors in your new place.

Deep Cleaning for a Pristine Look

The importance of a thoroughly cleaned home cannot be overstated. This means going beyond the usual cleaning routine to focus on eradicating pet hair, dander, and any trace of pets. Consider the benefits of a professional cleaning service to ensure a comprehensive and meticulous result. A spotlessly clean home not only presents well but also communicates a sense of pride and care in property maintenance. It’s a visual reassurance to buyers that the home has been well-loved and looked after.

Market Research for Competitive Edge

Conducting thorough market research is a pivotal step in the home-selling process. Investigate how comparable homes in your locality are presented in the market. Pay close attention to their staging techniques, pricing strategies, and how they highlight their homes’ best features. This research will arm you with knowledge and insights, enabling you to position your home competitively in the market. Understanding the local real estate landscape helps in making informed decisions about how to best showcase your home to attract the right buyers.

Eliminating Pet Odors

Neutralizing pet odors is a critical aspect of home staging. Utilize air purifiers, scented candles, and specialized odor-neutralizing products to ensure your home smells inviting. Regularly airing out the house also plays a crucial role in maintaining a pleasant and fresh atmosphere. Remember, the olfactory experience can greatly influence a buyer’s first impression, so a fresh-smelling home is key to creating a positive and lasting impact.

Stowing Away Pet Supplies

During property viewings, it’s advisable to temporarily remove all visible pet supplies, including food bowls, toys, beds, and litter boxes. You can also do this with personal items such as family photos. This tactic helps potential buyers focus on the space itself without distractions. Creating an environment where buyers can easily envision their own life and belongings in the space is crucial for forming an emotional connection with the property.

Clearing Out Pet Furniture

Consider storing or temporarily replacing pet-specific furniture, such as cat trees, dog beds, and pet crates, as well as large pieces of your own furniture. This not only declutters the space but also allows potential buyers to appreciate the full potential and size of each room. Clearing these items creates an impression of more space and versatility, appealing to a wider range of buyer preferences.

Selecting Pet-Friendly Fabrics

Switch to fabrics that are less prone to trapping pet hair and odors. Opt for easy-to-clean furniture covers that complement your home’s decor. Neutral tones and textures can make a significant difference, as they help potential buyers envision their own furniture and style in the space. This subtle change can enhance the overall appeal of your home, making it more attractive to a diverse group of buyers.

Navigating the home-selling journey as a pet owner requires a strategic and thoughtful approach. By implementing these tailored strategies, you can ensure your home is showcased as a welcoming, pet-neutral space, appealing to a broad spectrum of buyers. A well-prepared, immaculately clean, and thoughtfully staged home increases the likelihood of attracting serious buyers and achieving a successful sale. Remember, the goal is to present a home that resonates with buyers’ aspirations, creating an environment where they can easily envision building their future.

Learning From Dogs offers a unique perspective on how to live life with honesty and integrity. Follow the blog today to learn more!

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Thank you, Penny.

Hopefully this will be on interest to our readers. I, certainly, found it so. Plus, I was more than grateful for the LfD references in the article. Once again, thank you, Penny.

Picture Parade Four Hundred and Thirteen

Again, more dog photos from Unsplash.

Photo by Poovarasan K on Unsplash

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Photo by Sayan Majhi on Unsplash

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Photo by Patrick Schätz on Unsplash

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Photo by Aziz Acharki on Unsplash

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Photo by Dylan Shaw on Unsplash

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Photo by Terence Sandeep on Unsplash

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Photo by Eleonora Catalano on Unsplash

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Photo by Praswin Prakashan on Unsplash

I get such pleasure from posting these (free) photographs from Unsplash. They are superb!

Dogs are the best!

This came in from our neighbour, Dordie!

You will love it!

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This dog catching a fish while his owner is away.. Dogs are the best..

It was originally posted on ‘X’ by but then I found it on YouTube. However the text that was shown on X read:

Buitengebieden,

Welcome to the positive side of X. I’m Sander from the Netherlands. All copyrights belong to their respective owners! DM for credits/removal/submission!

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Wonderful! Thanks Dordie!

Picture Parade Four Hundred and Twelve

This time I chose Dog in Snow from Unsplash.

Photo by Benjamin Brunner on Unsplash

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Photo by Dan on Unsplash

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Photo by Chris Kofoed on Unsplash

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Photo by Lech Naumovich on Unsplash

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Photo by Chris Kofoed on Unsplash

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Photo by Megan Dujardin on Unsplash

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I am taking a short break from blogging, it being the Christmas season, and I will be back on Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024!

This IS a rescue story.

A woman who knew no bounds when it came to rescuing three large dogs.

This is such a beautiful account of Veronica Shea taking action, and personal risks, to provide, firstly trust, and then love for Princess George, Grace and Steve, as they were named. The story was published on The Dodo.

Please read for yourself.

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Woman Visits Mountain Every Day To Convince Huge Dogs To Let Her Rescue Them

“They couldn’t be touched. They couldn’t be leashed. They were just terrified.”

By Elizabeth Claire Alberts

Published on the 26th October, 2023

In 2020, Veronica Shea was out hiking with her dog in the Angeles National Forest in California, when she spotted something strange moving ahead of them.

“We whip around the curve, and I look over and there was this huge black thing,” Shea told The Dodo. “He went up the side of a cliff.”

Veronica Shea

Shea followed the furry animal and came face to face with three malnourished dogs alone in the wilderness. Realizing the dogs had been abandoned, she knew she had to help them. Every day for several weeks, Shea trudged up the mountain to feed the dogs and work on gaining their trust.

Veronica Shea

Slowly, the dogs got used to her and even began eating out of her hand. But Shea had no idea how to get them off the mountain. If she trapped one dog, would the others flee? She knew she couldn’t do it alone.

Veronica Shea

When she asked for help, a whole team of rescuers stepped forward. Together, they carried equipment up the mountain and put together a makeshift cage. The rescuers carefully lured the dogs inside and carried them down the mountain.

The three dogs —mastiffs named Princess George, Grace and Steve, who are believed to be siblings — were safe now. But they still had a long journey ahead.

Veronica Shea

The rescuers approached Cheri Wulff Lucas, a well known dog behaviorist and trainer in California, to see if she could help the nervous dogs learn to trust again.

“They weren’t adoptable the way they came,” Lucas told The Dodo. “They couldn’t be touched. They couldn’t be leashed. They were just terrified.”

Princess George, Grace and Steve responded well to Lucas’ training. Still, they continued to have a “very strong startle reflex,” said Lucas. This made it difficult to find them the perfect home.

“It was going to take a very special home for them to go into because they’re not the kind of dogs that are going to go to the dog park,” Lucas said. “Even walking them on city streets would be a lot for them. And if they do spook, they weigh 125 pounds, so [they would be] very hard to contain.”

But Lucas knew the dogs were safe on her own property.

“I’m out in the middle of nowhere,” Lucas said. “There’s no traffic around here. You can’t even see another home from here. So if they did get out, they would just come back here to me.”

Veronica Shea

While Lucas never planned on keeping the dogs herself, that’s exactly what she ended up doing. This turned out to be the best decision for everyone. Princess George, Grace, and Steve continued to live in a safe and supportive environment. And Lucas discovered that the dogs could help her with her work as a trainer.

“If I get dogs that needs socialization — to be more familiar and less reactive with other dogs — I use my pack to help rehabilitate them,” Lucas said. “And all three of them are highly social with dogs. They know how to smell properly, how to not overpower the dog that needs the socialization. They’re just flawless. And that’s not something I taught them — they came that way.”

Veronica Shea

The threesome were particularly helpful when Lucas started working with another dog named Andi, who was rescued from a hoarding case.

“She had lived in a pen for seven years without human touch or being leashed or anything and she was terrified,” Lucas said. “They just came in and really made her feel comfortable. It was really sweet to see. They brought her around in a way that I never could as a human.”

Lucas ended up adopting Andi as well, bringing her personal pack of dogs to 12.

Princess George, Grace and Steve have been living with Lucas now for over three years, and they’re completely different dogs now.

“They’re incredibly playful,” Lucas said. “If you came to my house and did not know their backstory, you would think they were like any other dog.”

Lucas describes George as a “couch potato” who loves hanging around the house and socializing with the other dogs. Steve is the one who likes to play endless games of “chase” out in the yard. Grace remains a bit timid, but she shares a very close relationship with Steve.

“They’re pets — they’re really pets now,” she said. “They’re not cases for me anymore.”

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Lucas sums it up perfectly in that last sentence; “They’re pets – they’re really pets now,

Lucas reminds me of Jean for when we first met, in December 2007, Jean had more than twenty dogs at home, all rescues, and led to me publishing my first book in 2009: Learning from Dogs.

Picture Parade Four Hundred and Eleven

Back to Unsplash!

Photo by __ drz __ on Unsplash

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Photo by Kieran White on Unsplash

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Photo by Karl Anderson on Unsplash

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Photo by FLOUFFY on Unsplash

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Golly, this next one looks a lot like my Pharaoh who died in 2017. Long gone but not forgotten!

Photo by Kinshuk Bose on Unsplash

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Photo by Connor Home on Unsplash

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Photo by Ja San Miguel on Unsplash

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Photo by Oscar Sutton on Unsplash

Just prefect animals. Love them!.

Six fabulous videos of dogs

A YouTube video presented to you all.

I came across this collection of videos, all short, that have been combined into a single YouTube video.

Here is the text that came with that video.

Many know that dogs are wonderful pets that quickly turn into family. These inspiring dog stories highlight the impact a dog rescue, recovery, or reunion can make in the lives of everyday Americans. From a veteran’s emotional reunion with his beloved dog to a dog surviving a bullet wound, here are great stories of dogs and the people who love them.

Very Local

Just ten minutes long it is nevertheless a fabulous account of our closest animal friend.

Just a wonderful video of a dog rescue

Perfect for the last day of November, 2023!

It is also Jean’s birthday and a happy day all round.

I saw this three minute video yesterday and just had to share it with you all!

I saw it first on The Dodo but then I found it was also on YouTube which is much easier from my blogging point of view.

Picture Parade Four Hundred and Nine

The last Sunday in November but still with Unsplash.

Photo by Hannah Lim on Unsplash

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Photo by Ash on Unsplash

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Photo by James Barker on Unsplash

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Photo by Jamie Street on Unsplash

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Photo by Anoir Chafik on Unsplash

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Photo by Richard Brutyo on Unsplash

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Photo by Bruce Warrington on Unsplash

There you are! More beautiful dogs and, again, the most beautiful photographs.