Tips For Moving With Pets

Moving can be stressful and it can be for our four legged kids too.  I've been compiling some good tips in preparation for our upcoming move and wanted to share them.  1. If you are moving far enough away that your pet will need a new vet, be sure you get their vet records before the move so you can share them with the new vet. Make sure you pet is up to date on vaccinations and has a current health check.    2.  Check you new city for regulations and permits for you pet if applicable.    3.  Get their ID tags updated with your current contact information just in case of a great escape from your new home. If you have a microchip be sure you update that too.  You could consider getting a travel tag, a small luggage tag with your info and an alternate person to contact just in case you cannot be reached and your pet is lost during the move.   4.  Speaking of great escapes be sure to check out the new place for escape hatches.  Holes in the fence line, anywhere your little Houdini can disappear.  They are going to be curious in the new environment so keep your eyes peeled for anything you may see that could assist them in roaming the new neighborhood on their own.    5.  On moving day there will be lots of commotion.  Consider crating your pet with familiar toys and bedding and putting them in their own room away from all the commotion.   This will help keep a stressed pet calm.    6.  Depending on how far you are moving your pet may be in the car and hotels for 24-48hrs.  Be sure you have your travel route planned and prepare for frequent bathroom breaks.  Crates are the safest place for dogs to travel and they have a place to be contained if staying in a hotel.  Collapsible exercise pens work great too for hotels and potty breaks.  Be sure you have enough supplies for the trip.  Food, water, travel dishes, can opener, toys, leashes, medication, treats, puppy pads, waste bags, etc...  If traveling by air contact the airlines for regulations.  Some pets can travel in small crates with you on the plane if the carrier will fit under the seat.  Larger pets must travel air freight.   7.  Pack up a pet box will supplies you will need immediately and transport it with you in the car.  You will need bedding, food, dishes, toys, leashes...etc  Make sure you mark this box so that it will be easily found amidst all the other boxes.   Consider a brightly colored label.    8.  Your pet will need to acclimate to your new home.  Try to keep food dishes near the same things as the old home, like if they were near the back door keep them near the back door.  Use their familiar bedding and toys so they feel safe.  If your pet is a cat they will need to be confined for up to two weeks so they do not run off and attempt to go back to the old home.

Senior Citizens Survival Kit

You can whip this gift up for under an hour and buy most items at the dollar store. My dad is turning 60 and I wanted some sort of gag gift to give him.  There aren't many homemade gifts out there for guys that I think my dad would use or any man for that matter.  I know he won't use most of the items in this bag, but I only spent $18 including the bag and tissue paper.  So here's your shopping list now head on out to the dollar store. 1. Marbles - for when you lose yours. 2. Spray starch- Wrinkle Remover - for when the iron isn’t enough 3. Energizer Batteries - to help keep you going and going (had to get these from wal-mart) 4. ACT II popcorn - welcome to another stage of your life. Play your part well 5. Socks - Relax!  Sit back, kick up your feet! You've earned it! 6. Puzzle - Life is a Puzzle Just in case you haven't figured out the "big" picture, here is one you can. 7. Antacids - Laughter is the best medicine but when that isn't enough, try the medicine cabinet 8. Life Savers Mints - Senior Moments memory loss mints 9. Arthritis & Sport - to soak your old bones 10. A jar of dirt - To remind you that you are now older than dirt. (just grab and old jar and fill it from the yard or potting soil) You can make this as cute as you want with ribbons or fancy cut outs on your circut, but I was in a hurry so I just used some labels I had around the house and ran them through the printer.  Simple, quick and will serve a purpose as a small gag gift.