Our Plastic Dog Crate Made a Great Spare Bedroom

Bet you never thought of a dog crate as a bedroom, but that is just what ours became when we volunteered to tend my friend’s Rottweiler puppy. My friend needed to be out of town for a few days and didn’t want to leave his new puppy with just anyone. My family already had one dog so the plastic dog crate became an ideal secure nighttime sleeping arrangement. Rocky was well behaved and did not make any noises during the night so it really worked out super.

My mom even cuddled with him and they would lie on the floor and watch the basketball game on TV before retiring for the night. After the game, mom and Rocky would come upstairs, let him out for a run and potty break and then into the kennel he would go, curl up and that would be the last you would hear out of him until morning. What a dog!

Good plastic dog crates are easily cleaned and well ventilated and have secure steel doors that lock. Ours have been ideal for cold nights when the dogs need to be kept indoors and for transporting them in the truck during hunting season.

Heated Dog Bed for Our Shivering Pets

Reading through the letters to the editor in our local paper, one article titled “Shivering pets” caught my eye and my first thought was write a letter to the editor telling them about heated dog beds. The writer was upset with the fact that all too many times she has seen pets left outside in our cold temperatures. Pets had been tied up with a chain and left outside while others she had observed were left tied to a post with the lease while the owner was inside the warm store shopping. We live in an age where this should not be happening as most of our dogs and cats have become accustomed to living indoors. Plain old good common sense tells us to protect our furry friends from the cold. When the temperatures dip to below zero; we are advised by the news media time and again, as they give the weather reports, to bring our outside animals inside. A nice heated dog bed is advised for those that are ailing or aged, any one of your furry companions will benefit from having one.

Available on the market are thermostats that will regulate the temperature of the heated dog bed and are simple and easy to use. The one I prefer is simply plugged into the electrical outlet and works automatically to ambient temperatures. It comes on automatically when the temperatures drop below a certain point and shuts off when the temperature rises, thus saving electricity and wear and tear on the heated dog bed. These work well with our heated beds for dogs and will maintain the body temperature of the dog. Using this prevents the risk of electrical shock or going to bed and wondering if you’re pets are warm and safe. This is especially appealing to dog lovers, who own dogs that refuse the indoors and prefer the outside dog house. They are great to use when you take the precaution to allow your outside pets to sleep in the garage or patio on those cold, cold nights.

The lady who wrote the article made a good point when she wrote, “I don’t want to hear in the news about somebody losing their companion to the cold.” This would be a senseless act of cruelty that can easily be prevented. Cold temperatures in the winter are just as harmful to our pets as the hot temperatures of the summer. Leaving your pet locked in your car for an extended amount of time whether it is cold or hot is not advised.

If you are going shopping and will have to leave your furry companion in the car for an extended period of time, reconsider and keep them at home where they can lay down on their heated dog bed and be cozy warm.

Sherpa Pet Carrier for a Hot Dog

Actor Jerry O'Connell and his wife, actress Rebecca Romijn's carry their dog in a classy Sherpa Pet Carrier for Dogs.  It is one of the very best means to carry your pooch when on the go in and out of airports or around the town.  There is another hot dog out there that gets the same treatment even in the Air Force One.  President Obama's daughters, Malia and Sasha finally got the puppy their dad promised in mid-April.  After all the lobbying and begging a little Portuguese water dog, they have named Bo,  has become part of the first family.

You don't need to be an actor, actress or a member of the First Family to have a Sherpa Pet Carrier.  These comfortable, durable soft and airline approved carriers are ideal for you and your animal.  Because this bag fits perfectly under an airplane seat you can carry your pet and keep a low profile.  Most people will not even notice your pet's presence.  Be aware of the fact that you still have to take your pet out of the carrier and carry him/her through security and the Sherpa Pet carrier must pass through the x-ray.  Take a few days ahead of your trip and let your pet become accustomed to the Sherpa Pet Carrier.  It makes a perfect place for their afternoon nap and when travel time comes, you will encounter fewer problems.

The Sherpa Pet Carriers have shoulder straps that make them easy to carry.  Lots of thought has gone into the making of these carriers.  They are of study construction and have a comfortable Sherpa fleece lined pad to keep your feline or small dog warm on short or long flights.  One neat idea that the designer came up with is the side pocket which can carry the pet's travel documents which comes in handy at check-in.  The instructions that come with these Sherpa Pet Carriers are well written and have useful instructions giving you guidelines when traveling with your pet.  The guidelines also list which airlines will accept these for use in the passenger compartment.

Hot Dog!  Now you have come up with the perfect gift for your canine travel companion.

Soft Dog Crates - Portable and Fashionable

A Durable Soft Dog Crate may be the dog crate that you are looking for.  If you are the outdoors type, or take your pet with you wherever you go, then one of these fancy crates is definitely worth taking a look at.  I first experienced soft dog crates when my brother-in-law brought his new puppy over to my house for me to look after a few days when he was leaving town.  He showed up with the pup and all of her stuff and whipped out this tent looking thing.  In a matter of seconds it was up and boom, she had a crate.  I was amazed by the strength and durability of the soft dog crate.  It provided a very nice portable shelter for his dog and was easy to set up and take down.  It folded so flat that you cold literally fit it into any space, which is nice compared to a plastic dog crate which is big and bulky, or a wire dog crate, which even though quality models fold, are quite heavy.  I took a look in to the top soft dog crates after that and decided that I would most definitely get some for my two dogs.  

There are many different brands and models, and I recommend a quality brand over any other.  It is worth the few extra dollars because a quality soft dog crate is going to be sturdy and provide features that are worth it like water resistant material, tent stakes and staking loops, plenty of storage, and a tough frame.  Cheaper models are quite a bit more flimsy and won't hold up to the wear a dog can put on them.  My two dogs love their soft dog crates.  I really don't have a brand that I would recommend over all others.  I would look into the top names, and see which soft dog crate best suits your needs and fashion desires.  Some of the best I have found are the Midwest Canine Camper Crates,  Pet Gear Generation II Soft Crates.  Now, there is plenty of room to take a crate with you and your pet wherever you go.

Sherpa Backpack Pet Carriers - Review

Today's Sherpa Dog Carrier of the day is the Sherpa Backpack Dog Carrier.  This is one functional unit.  It provides a multifunction use that is very nice for pets and owners on the go.  The Sherpa Backpack carrier not only works as a backpack pet carrier, but can also be set up as an over the shoulder carrier, or it can be carried like a bag with its handles.  This unit is great for travel.  It fits comfortably under the seat on an airliner, so it can be used to travel the globe with your small pet.  The manufacturers have designed it to fit pets up to 16 lbs., so it is very versatile for most small pets.  I have always loved using the backpack approach to things and Sherpa Carriers are no different.  It allows you to have both hands free, and if you are like me when I carry things for a large distance like traveling between terminals in the airport, I am always switching hands when whatever I am carrying gets too heavy or uncomfortable for one hand.  Personally, I think that traveling in a backpack provides for a more comfortable and smoother ride for your pet which will help with all of the strange noises and surroundings of a new environment like an airport.  Not only is it convenient but the Sherpa Backpack Pet Carrier is a high quality product like all products designed by Sherpa.  It will last a long time and is good looking.  It comes in three designer colors to fit anyone's fashion desires and is designed with your pet in mind.  I definitely recommend this Sherpa Pet Carrier to anyone who is looking for comfort for both pet and pet parent.