Family
Family
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ools, boats, beaches and swimming are synonymous with summer. Now that summer is here, you may consider some water fun with your dog. Here are some things to consider before taking the plunge.
can only be turned off when reset manually ensuring immediate attention. At the beach, use good judgment when allowing distance between you and your pet in the water. Riptides and strong currents can easily disorient and drag you and your dog into dangerous waters.
Just like us, not all dogs are natural swimmers. It is important that you We may not have seaside beaches, but Kentucky does have some great gently acclimate your canine companion to the water. The earlier in their lakes, rivers, and creeks; and boating is a great activity to do with your dog. Invest in aBulbs properly fitted canine personal floatation deviceoffrom youryellow fa- daffodils or purple life you begin this process, easier greater for success. udsthe form onand trees readychance to explode with Never blooms of color. burst from the earth to reveal patches bright, vorite local petAll store. As recommended and required for humans, force or throw your doghyacinths; into any body water. If you have a pool, train wake-up andof birds return with their morning calls. are signs of Mother Earth’s springtime rebirth.your Unfortunately, this magdog weather should also wear floatation vest while on a boat. This will your dog to enter and exit fromof steps shallow end. Thisvolatile nifithe centwater renewal life and canthe bring unexpected, and theaneed for preparedness. This month ashelp you keep dust off your outside patio oat should they accidentally fallyou overboard, bepets. dragged away in a will teach them where they can standyour or safely exit,beds, if fatigued. and begin to plan flower take time to create athem basicafldisaster preparedness kit for and your strong current, or become exhausted. Use caution when allowing your Turn your training game. tworesources people, a ball, and some treats,you prepare a kit for your family in the event of a disaster. However, it is important to know Thinto ere aare manyUsing online available to help dog to wander waterside. Dead fish may be smelly, but to a dog very tasty. one person can safely follow the dog make sure it staysthe afloat while theArmy Depot’s chemical stockpile also poses an unlikely, but unique risk to central Kentucky. that in addition to to natural disasters, Bluegrass Consuming dead carcasses of any variety is a health risk. This is true about other person throws ballresource a safe distance fromfor thedisaster steps. Th is person planning, and kit building specific to Lexington is BeReadyLexington.com. Check out this Onethe great to consult awareness, water sources, too. Never allow your pet to drink pool, river, lake, or ocean then calls the pet’s name to to where theyabout are standing on can the steps website toreturn educate yourself how you better plan and prepare to keep your family safe in the event of a disaster. water. Chemicals used to treat pools, as well as, bacteria and possible paraand the exit. Be sure to reward your dog with a tasty treat upon success. To help small animal pet owners, below is a Pet Disaster Checklist containing collect and store in have an easily sitesKit in natural water sources canitems maketoyour dog sick. Always fresh accessible location in Repeating this process will condition your pet to enter and exit the pool the event of a disaster. Disaster preparedness organizations that you keep your pets’ emergency kit near your family emergency kit. clean,recommend tap water available for your dog, especially when enjoying outdoor from a safe location. Confirm that it will fit in your vehicle with all of your emergency supplies should youwith need to evacuate water activities. When finished your day in the It is important toyour note home. that evenPeriodically with the bestrotate training, leave theNEVER contents of your your pet’s emergency preparedness freshness andrewater and sun, rinse your dog kit withforclean water to dog unattended near a pool or body of water. Pets can easily fall into pools,plan.move Erica list its location in your family’s written emergency Hopefully, you will never need to use your any chemicals or natural contaminants fromkits. their Radhakrishnan panic, fatigue to However, exhaustion,asand drown. Duringsurvivor the offseason, in fur and Petra Nemcova, of thefalling 2004 tsunami said,be“we we surecannot to dry stop their natural ears. Thdisasters, is will helpbut protect Hospital Administrator, BVS and becoming stuck a pool cover is aknowledge: real possibility. fencewouldn’t can under arm ourselves with so Install many alives haveand to ears be lost there was enoughirritants. disasterIn their skin fromifexposure to certain around your pool to protect all of your pets and friends from accidental preparedness”. This spring, arm yourself with the knowledge prepare family the end, aand littleresources common to sense is somefor of your the best water drowning. You can purchase a special alarman device that loops through safety advice you can use when it comes to having fun Erica andalso pets’ well-being should emergency strike. Radhakrishnan your pet’s collar. If your pet falls into the water, the alarm will sound and with your favorite canine.
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Daily Care Items
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-Food in a closed/waterproof container to last 10 days for every pet -Bottled water (about 1 cup/10 pounds daily) -Manual can opener June 2017 | TopsInLex.com -Water and Food Bowls -An appropriate sized crate or kennel with pad/blanket
Hospital Administrator, BVS