beaches_pet_resort

Garden Plants to Keep Away from Your Pets

Sun, 28 Mar 2021 23:23:17 GMT

Spring is Here! Time to start gardening! But, be sure to keep your pets away from these common garden plants.

Some of these are more toxic than others, but it's good to keep your dogs and cats from ingesting all these pretty garden plants. That doesn't mean that you can't plant these in your garden- just be sure to keep an eye on your pet if they are known chewers or like to eat anything in sight!

Vines, Flowers, and Ferns

Veggies, Herbs, and Edible Plants

Shrubs and Trees

Molly's Big List of Homemade Dog Treats

Sun, 24 Jan 2021 19:31:48 GMT

Check Out These Molly-Approved Homemade Dog Treat Recipes!!

This month, we had our Beaches Evaluator dog, Molly, help us pick out and put together this large list of easy homemade dog recipes! These recipes are all Molly approved, and your dog will love them, too!

Everyone's Favorite: Peanut Butter

Molly says to stay safe by making sure all peanut butter used in these recipes DO NOT contain xylitol because that ingredient is toxic to dogs.

See the original recipe here:

https://www.lifeloveandsugar.com/2-ingredient-frozen-peanut-butter-banana-dog-treats-2/

See the original recipe here:

https://livelaughrowe.com/peanut-butter-coconut-oil-dog-treats/

See the original recipe here:

https://pinchofyum.com/homemade-dog-treats

See the original recipe here:

http://kitchenconfidante.com/simple-sundays-homemade-dog-biscuits-treats-recipe

Meat Lovers Treats

See the original recipe here:

https://kolchakpuggle.com/2012/02/tasty-tuesday-hearts-for-my-valentine-chicken-dog-treats.html

See the original recipe here:

https://www.carriesexperimentalkitchen.com/chicken-wild-rice-dog-biscuits/

See the original recipe here:

https://www.sunnydayfamily.com/2017/01/dog-donuts.html

Pawsome Pumkin-Packed Snacks

See the original recipe here:

https://sugarspunrun.com/easy-homemade-dog-cookies/

See the original recipe here:

https://threelittleferns.com/2016/10/pumpkin-apple-dog-treats.html

Fruit and Veggie Fanatics

See the original recipe here:

https://grrfeisty.com/2016/06/watermelon-pupsicles.html

See the original recipe here:

https://communikait.com/2018/07/easy-apple-carrot-dog-treats/

See the original recipe here:

https://damndelicious.net/2015/06/10/spinach-carrot-and-zucchini-dog-treats/

See the original recipe here:

https://www.beaglesandbargains.com/baked-sweet-potato-fries-dogs/

Adopt, Don't Shop

Sun, 13 Dec 2020 20:47:46 GMT

Looking for a Furry Best Friend? Consider Adopting!

If you're a person who loves animals or lives with people who are "animal people", then chances are you've heard the phrase "adopt, don't shop" before. When you hear "adopt, don't shop", you probably immediately think that the reason pet adoption is great is because there are animals who need homes, but did you know there are more pawsome reasons to adopt a pet besides giving them a good home? Keep scrolling to see some of the other wonderful reasons to adopt a pet!

You Can Save an Animal's Life

While there are many no-kill shelters out there, there are still many shelters that do euthanize pets that aren't adopted or when their shelter becomes too full. If you choose to adopt a pet, you'll be giving them a second chance at life. Additionally, if the pet comes from a no-kill shelter, you can end up saving more than one life by making room at that shelter for another pet in need, so the shelter can take care of them and help find that pet a great home, too! The adoption fee for your new pet usually goes right back into the shelter to help the other pets in need, as well.

It's a Way to Fight Back Against Puppy Mills

Puppy mills are breeding facilities that are run factory-style. Their main priority is making money off of puppies, not the welfare of the dogs. Animals in puppy mills live in poor conditions, have inadequate medical care, and little human interaction, and many puppies can have medical issues or behavioral issues as a result. The mothers in these puppy mills are used for breeding until they are no longer of any use to the facility, and then are often abandoned or killed.

Since being exposed, puppy mills have thought of different tactics to help themselves stay in business. They sell puppies to pet stores or through classified ads and over the internet, where unsuspecting customers buy their puppies, assuming they aren't from puppy mills. One way of making sure that you aren't supporting a puppy mill is to adopt instead. By adopting, you can be positive that you aren't giving a puppy mill a dime.

When You Adopt, You Can Choose from a Range of Ages

When you choose to adopt, you have the unique opportunity of being able to choose the age of the pet you want to adopt. While kittens and puppies are always so adorable, they can also be a ton of work. If you want a furry companion but don't know if you have the time to train a kitten or puppy, you can always adopt an adult pet. They are usually already house-trained (which saves your carpet!) and many of them already know basic commands, like sit. Adult dogs still have plenty of life left in them ("adult" is a broad term- they aren't all only puppies or senior citizens), and while they may not be as in demand as the puppy who fits into the palm of your hand, they'll still give you the cuddles, companionship, and unconditional love that you signed up for, just minus the chewed shoes, carpet cleanings, and extra training that comes with puppies.

You'll Save Money

Buying a puppy or kitten from a breeder is expensive! Buying a pet can easily cost $500-$1,000 (and sometimes even more than that!). Adoption fees are usually between $50-$200, and usually include the price of vaccinations and spaying/neutering. Sometimes, the adoption fee can even include a microchip! As an added bonus, as mentioned earlier, the adoption fee goes right back into the shelter to help more animals in need, instead of into a breeder's pocket. Adopting a pet will save you money and also help support a valuable charity!

Animal Shelters Offer a Great Lifetime Resource

When you adopt from an animal shelter, you'll also get a lifetime resource from the employees and volunteers who work there. They can help you find information or more resources for your pet even after you adopt them. The employees and volunteers at animal shelters work with animals every day, so they have great knowledge on a wide variety of issues and topics.

Adopted Animals Aren't Less "Good" Than Other Animals

Adopted animals are still great animals! Many people think that animals in shelters are all old animals, or aggressive animals, or animals with behavior problems, which isn't true. There are tons of animals that are in shelters through no fault of their own (such as a divorce or move), and are waiting for their second chance on life. Adopted animals are pawsome pets, and will give you the same unconditional love a bought animal would. They still offer companionship and cuddles, and will keep you active. When you adopt an animal, you're adopting a new best friend: one who will play dress-up with you, go on walks with you, cuddle with you, play tug-of-war and fetch, and bring you joy just like any other animal. They're just waiting for someone to take them to their furever home.

Pets Are Good for Your Health- Especially Adopted Pets

Pets have been shown to be physically, emotionally, and psychologically beneficial to their people, and adopted pets are no exception. In fact, adopting an animal can be especially beneficial for your health, and give you an extra boost. Caring for a pet can make you feel less lonely and give you a sense of purpose and fulfillment, but you'll also get that extra feeling of pride knowing that you were able to help an animal in need. You'll also benefit from that warm, fuzzy feeling you'll get knowing that you were able to give a deserving animal a second chance at a wonderful life with you!

Keeping Your Dog Entertained During Gloomy Weather

Sat, 21 Nov 2020 23:13:25 GMT

Rainy Day Boredom is a Thing of the Past for Both You and Your Dog With These Fun Indoor Activities!

If your dog is a couch potato, they're probably fine with having a lazy rainy day indoors with you. But, if your dog is always on the go, waking up to rain can make for a very boring day in the house for them. Help keep you and your dog entertained indoors by trying out some of the ideas below!

Hide and Seek with Treats, Toys, or with You

Dogs can enjoy playing Hide and Seek just like kids. There's even a variety of different ways you can play this game with your dog! All variations of this game are a great way to keep your dog busy and tire them out, as well as giving their nose a good workout to help them find the items.

For our food motivated furry friends, you can hide treats around the room or around the house and have your dog find them. You can do this with their own treats, with their favorite fruits or veggies (carrots and green beans are great snacks!), or even with a Kong filled with peanut butter or other treats.

Hide and Seek can also be played with toys! For the dogs that can't get enough of their rope toys or plushies, you can hide them around the room or around the house instead of treats. You can play with just one or multiple toys, depending on what your dog enjoys.

You can also play this game yourself! Just like the original game of Hide and Seek, you can hide somewhere in your house and have your dog come find you. You can have other family members join in, too, for extra indoor fun for the whole family.

Play "Which Hand" or the "Shell Game"

These games will help them work on their problem solving skills and give your dog lots of mental stimulation. Both games are played with treats, but the Shell Game can also be played with small toys.

Playing "Which Hand" is super easy. Just grab a few treats and your furry friend! Place a treat in one hand, close your fists and let your dog pick which one the treat is in. They can sniff, paw, or touch the right hand to get their reward. This is also a great way for dogs to practice their "touch" command for those who know it. You can even mix it up and put your hands behind your back while grabbing a treat for those smarty pants who catch on to this game fast .

The Shell Game is similar to playing "which Hand". For this game, you need 3 cups (or bowls, buckets, or anything that you are able to hide treats or a small toy under, as long as they aren't translucent). You set out the three cups and place a treat (or small toy) under one while your dog watches. Then, you shuffle the cups around and have your dog pick which cup has the treat under it. This game is also a great way to have your dog practice their "touch" command, if they know it.

Create an Indoor Obstacle Course

A homemade indoor obstacle course is a great activity to provide your dog with mental stimulation and exercise. Get creative! You can have them jump over stacks of towels, shoe boxes, pillows, or even bags. Make a little tunnel for them to go through out of a few chairs with a blanket laid over the backs. If you have a bunch of water bottles around the house, you can create a little water bottle pyramid for them to jump over or plow through, depending on your dog's style. You even can create an area for them to weave through with toys, pillows, or chairs, and have a blanket finish line! The ideas are almost limitless! If you have kids, you can have them help you build and also go through the obstacle course, too, for a win-win-win for you, your children, and your fur babies.

DIY Puzzle Games and Toys

There are so many puzzle and toy ideas available, it is hard to choose! Some of our favorite ideas were the muffin tin game, indoor ball pit, water bottle toys, and old T-shirt rope toys.

Muffin tin Game- using a muffin tin, tennis balls, and treats, you can create an interesting puzzle for your dog! Place a few treats in a couple of the muffin cups, then cover all the cups with tennis balls. and let your dog figure out which cups have the treats. You can also use peanut butter in the cups instead of treats, but it's a good idea to switch the tennis balls out for racquetballs if you go this route to make clean-up easier. This game can even be played with your dog's normal kibble to prevent them from eating their food too fast (bonus!).

Indoor ball pit- if you have a kiddie pool from the summertime, and a bunch of balls, you can make an indoor ball pit! Some dogs love just the kiddie pool with the balls and will have a blast with that alone, but you can also turn it into more of a puzzle for dogs who might need more mental stimulation. You can use treats or small toys in the kiddie pool and have your dog dig through the pool to find their treats or toys! Additionally, just like with the muffin tin game, you can also put your dog's kibble in the pool to prevent them from scarfing down their food too fast!

Water bottle toys- apart from using them as a pyramid in your obstacle course, you can also use water bottles for quick toys. If your dog loves the crunching sound of water bottles, you can put on old sock over the water bottle and knot the end for a fast crinkly toy. Or, if your have a food motivated friend, cut out a few small holes in the water bottle and fill it with treats. Your dog will have tons of fun tossing the bottle around to get treats out of it!

Old T-shirt rope toys- you can create a new exciting rope toy for your dog from just an old T-shirt. Cut the T-shirt into strips and braid it, twist it, tie it, knot it, weave it to your heart's content! Create a regular rope, a circular rope, an X-shaped rope, or whatever crazy shape comes into your head! Your dog will love the new rope toy with tons of textures and shapes, and you'll have one less thing to get rid of when you clean out your closet.

Blow Some Bubbles

An easy way to have a great time indoors with your dog is to blow some bubbles! Many dogs are fascinated by bubbles and love to watch them or love to try and catch them. If your dog doesn't know what to do, you can even teach them to catch bubbles. The best part: bubbles that are for children are non-toxic, so you don't have to go out and get special supplies or a special type of bubbles, you can just use the kids' bubbles.

Have Your Dog Help You Around the House

If you're running low on new tricks to teach your dog, and your dog seems bored repeating the ones they already know, teach them to do random things around the house! Your dog will love having new tricks to do, and you'll have a new chore buddy! You can teach them to turn lights on and off or to shut doors. If they love fetch, you can teach them the names of things you would like fetched, like slippers or towels, and then work on having them fetch those items. You can even teach them to fetch things out of the fridge for you if you tie a small hand towel to the fridge door handle so they can open it. If they like to pull out all their toys from their bin, you can use the "drop it" command to help teach them to pick up their toys and drop them back into their bin when they're done. There are tons of ways you can have your dog help you around the house that'll double as a new trick and help keep them busy!

Give Your Dog a Spa Day

Use your rainy or snowy day to give your dog a spa day and get some bonding time in! Give them a good brushing (even short haired dogs can enjoy a good brushing) and some belly rubs. Trim their nails and brush their teeth (if you dog isn't a fan of these, reward them with treats to help them associate it with a positive experience). Give them a nice bath with dog shampoo and some good towel scratches when drying them off. If your dog loves to be pampered, you can even paint their nails with doggie nail polish (it does have to be dog safe, though). You can use this time to bond with your dog and also help reinforce grooming as a positive experience.

Best Howl-oween Costumes at the Beach

Mon, 09 Nov 2020 22:54:16 GMT

The Best Howl-oween Costumes From Our Friends at the Beach!

Some of our friends here at Beaches are over-the-moon for Howl-oween! Check out these paw-some and spooky costumes our furry ghouls and boys wore to get ready to carve pumpkins, dance with the skeletons to the Monster Mash, fly with the witches, howl with the werewolves, and go trick or (doggy) treating with their families!

We've Finally Found Waldo!!

We've all been there- stumped by a page in one of the many Where's Waldo books, spending way too long looking for the right red-and-white striped hat among thousands. However, no matter how many Waldos you've found (or frustratingly, not found) over the years, we think it's safe to say that this is the best (and cutest!) Waldo we've ever seen!

Elementary, My Dear Watson

We've seen quite a few Sherlocks over the years, but this has taken the cake. Her pose in this picture adds that extra sass, as if she is telling her siblings (or rather, her very own Watsons) that everything is just that simple! We can see who's the smarty pants in this family!

But Wait, There's More!

Our Howl-oween costume fun doesn't stop there! At Beaches, we have a photographer come to the facility for every holiday, and Halloween is no exception! Check out our friends who had their pictures taken by our photographer, Mary Lichocki, who is a magician with the camera and never ceases to amaze us with her props! These friends look ready to for a Howl-oween costume party fit for even the most royal mummy!

Our Very Own Guardian Angels

O ur Chick Magnets

our Foodie favorites

Lions and tigers and... unicorns? Oh my!

O ur Superheroes and Super Fans

Our Sweater Weather Queens

F rightening and Festive Halloween Fans

Our friends always have the best costumes for Howl-oween!

That's all for now! Don't worry, our magical photographer, Mary Lichocki, does picture days for many different Howl-idays, so there'll be plenty more pictures coming soon!

All About A Pets Pal

Sun, 27 Sep 2020 17:04:45 GMT

Ever Wanted to Know More About A Pets Pal? Well, We Have All the Details For You!

If you've ever been into Beaches Pet Resort, you've probably heard of A Pets Pal, or seen cards and flyers for it. If you've ever stopped to wonder what those flyers were for or what they do, look no further because we have all the information for you!

A Pets Pal is a sister company of Beaches Pet Resort. It is a professional pet sitting company designed for busy pet parents who can't always be home to check on their fur babies (or scale or feather or aquatic babies) . A Pets Pal was started in 1995 by Deborah Vitale (who is also the owner of Beaches Pet Resort!) after seeing a need for a professional pet sitting alternative to kennel care and pet boarding in the Grosse Pointe and St. Clair Shores areas.

A Pets Pal's team of professional pet sitters go through rigorous training, are pet first aid and CPR certified, and specialize in various areas of in-home pet care. On top of providing your pet one-on-one love, care, attention, and endless ear scratches and belly rubs, their sitters are able to do medications, walks for dogs, and home care (such as opening/closing blinds and windows, taking out trash, grabbing mail, watering plants, and more).

A Pets Pal is open 365 days a year, and is always there for their clients. They offer half-hour and hour long visits depending on what you and your pet's needs are (hour visits are great for walks for those dogs with tons of energy to burn off, or energetic cats who love to zoomie around the house with people!). They can also do multiple visits a day for those who need a little extra attention and care (and extra potty breaks). If you are having that well-deserved night out, A Pets Pal also offers overnight visits so your pet will have someone to cuddle with all night while you are out. Additionally, if you found out you have to stay late at work, or have to run out for supplies for a science project that's due tomorrow that your kiddo just told you about, A Pets Pal offers emergency and last minute visits, too! A Pets Pal is always there for when you can't be.

Who is A Pets Pal For?

B-I-N-G-O, and Bingo Was His Name-o!

A Pets Pal is great for ALL dogs! For puppies, A Pets Pal visits are a perfect way to make sure that your new addition to the family is getting outside enough while you are gone so they don't have as many accidents in the house while they are still potty training! It's also a great way to make sure your shoes, couch, rugs, (and let's face it, sometimes computer cords and moldings and table legs...) aren't being chewed on by a bored puppy. Additionally, having A Pets Pal pet sitter come out to the house helps to socialize your puppy with people outside of your home!

A Pets Pal knows that sometimes our fur babies might need extra love and care, like elderly and special needs dogs. Their pet sitters can make sure that your elderly friend is getting the extra potty breaks and extra attention that they might need while you are away. For our special needs friends who need medications throughout the day or have a strict feeding schedule, A Pets Pal can work visits around those times so that your friend gets their medications and feedings on time, and their schedule can stay consistent.

Or, maybe your fur baby has tried kennel care, boarding, or daycare before, and it didn't work out great because they had separation anxiety, or were overly nervous, or did not like hanging out and making friends with other dogs. That's alright, because A Pets Pal also has you and your furry friend's backs! A Pets Pal is the perfect alternative to kennel care or boarding because your pet can stay in the comfort of their own home, and in a familiar environment. This way, they can feel more relaxed knowing that they are safe, they don't have to try and make friends with other dogs, and a familiar face is coming to let them out and give them love.

A Pets Pal is great for all dogs, even those who also go to daycare a few days a week. It's a way to mix up their daily routine while still getting the exercise and attention that they crave! It also gives them an opportunity to socialize with someone outside of their family. As a bonus for pet parents who work from home, if you have a three hour long meeting or are up to your ears in work to catch up on, A Pets Pal can come out to let your friend out while you work, so that way they can go potty, burn off some energy, get some belly rubs and cuddles, and you can get your work done! Having A Pets Pal come out is a win-win for both you and your fur babies!

Hey Diddle Diddle, the Cat and the Fiddle...

All the sitters at A Pets Pal get it- sometimes, our feline friends aren't the most cooperative. For some kitty parents, it would be easier to tack Jell-O to a tree than it would be to get their furry friend in a carrier to take to a kennel or boarding facility. Instead, have A Pets Pal come out to your house! It's far easier than having a wrestling match with an uncooperative kitty, far less stressful for both you and your friend, and can be more cost-efficient than taking them to a boarding facility.

A Pets Pal can visit your cat while you are away to make sure that their food and water is all set for the day, and can give them their medication if they have any. For more playful and social kitties, A Pets Pal sitters can play with your kitty and help them to burn off some energy so they don't get bored and scratch your furniture. For the more disgruntled "Grumpy Cat" type feline friends, A Pets Pal can come in and check on them and make sure that they are set for the day without disrupting their beauty sleep or getting in their way.

Having A Pets Pal come out to visit your kitty while you are away is also a great way to make sure that your kitty stays stress-free. Your cat gets their normal reign of their house kingdom, and is in a familiar environment. They can eat and drink out of their normal bowls, play with their own toys, and look out their windows (A Pets Pal gets it, they are the boss of the house, they just let you live there). They don't have to be put into a carrier or kennel, and can sunbathe all day if that is their choice, while A Pets Pal sitters cater to them just like you normally do. Its perfect for all kitties because they get to stay in charge of their area, and perfect for you because you don't have to break a sweat trying to coax them into a carrier to take them somewhere.

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish Rabbit, Blue Fish Bird

Maybe your fur baby isn't a cat or dog, or maybe they aren't a fur baby at all, but a feather baby or scale baby. A Pets Pal can come visit for small animals, too, because they know that they are family just like a cat or a dog would be.

A Pets Pal has handled many small animals before, like hamsters, chinchillas, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, mice, and rats, and know that they need love and care just like the bigger animals. They understand that it can be stressful for them to have to go on a car ride to a boarding facility, which is why they offer visits to your house so that your little fur babies can stay put. A Pets Pal will come feed your friends, change their bedding if it needs it, and can give them love and attention (if they enjoy being held, they understand that sometimes small animals like their feet better on the floor).

A Pets Pal also knows how hard it can be to find a boarding place that takes birds, and how much of a hassle it can be to try to pack up your feathered friend to take them somewhere. They'll also come visit your bird to make sure that they get the care and love that you give them when you are home. Plus, all the A Pets Pal sitters have plenty of experience with birds- at their office, they have a bird named Skipper who demands attention whenever they are in!

Additionally, for some pets, such as fish, reptiles, and amphibians, A Pets Pal realizes that it can be impossible to pack them up to take them to a boarding facility (and many facilities just aren't equipped for them). Instead, they can come check on your scale or aquatic babies and make sure that their heat lamps, filters, and accessories are all in order, and make sure that they are good on food. A Pets Pal can even arrange to visit every 2 days or once a week if you choose, since some of these friends don't need care every day.

Old MacDonald Had a Farm...

Bottom Line, A Pets Pal is here for all your pet sitting needs, no matter the pet type. Whether you have a dog, a dog and a cat, a fish, or a small zoo of different animals at your house, A Pets Pal can cater to all their needs. They can give your pets personalized love, care, and attention just like you do. A Pets Pal is always there when you need them, whether its once a day, three times a day, once a week, overnight, or last minute, they'll always have you and your pet's back to make sure they are well taken care-of and happy.

You can check them out at their website: http://www.apetspal.com/

If you want to set up visits for your pet, you can call them at

586-350-0776 to schedule your free in-home consultation!

Human Foods That Are Harmful to Dogs

Mon, 31 Aug 2020 17:42:46 GMT

beaches_pet_resort

Garden Plants to Keep Away from Your Pets

Spring is Here! Time to start gardening! But, be sure to keep your pets away from these common garden plants.

Molly's Big List of Homemade Dog Treats

Check Out These Molly-Approved Homemade Dog Treat Recipes!!

Adopt, Don't Shop

Looking for a Furry Best Friend? Consider Adopting!

Keeping Your Dog Entertained During Gloomy Weather

Rainy Day Boredom is a Thing of the Past for Both You and Your Dog With These Fun Indoor Activities!

Best Howl-oween Costumes at the Beach

The Best Howl-oween Costumes From Our Friends at the Beach!

All About A Pets Pal

Ever Wanted to Know More About A Pets Pal? Well, We Have All the Details For You!

Who is A Pets Pal For?

B-I-N-G-O, and Bingo Was His Name-o!

Hey Diddle Diddle, the Cat and the Fiddle...

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish Rabbit, Blue Fish Bird

Old MacDonald Had a Farm...

Human Foods That Are Harmful to Dogs

Here is a list of human foods that dogs should never eat (no matter how hard they beg you for them)

You Can Use Fruits and Veggies as Treats!

Add These Fruits and Veggies in Your Dog's Diet as a Tasty Treat!

Fruits

Veggies