Tails from the trail and tips on training your human

Man’s Best Friend | For as long as humans have existed, they have found a loyal and best friend among canines. Before humans domesticated dogs and started keeping them as pets, they were excellent hunters. Certain dog species helped farmers keep their produce safe from other canines.

Not only this, they were trusted with large estates that needed protection from intruders and other dangers. Along with their protective instincts, they also made great companions at home. With so many qualities and, of course, their loveable nature, it’s not surprising dogs are loved more than other pets.

Although all pets are best friends in the eyes of their owners, certain distinctive qualities give dogs an edge above all.

So, if you’re just curious to know what makes dogs as friends, here are nine of them.

9 Qualities That Make Dogs Man’s Best Friend

They Love Playing

Unlike other pets, dogs are always ready to play with you. A good game of fetch or a quick jog in the park can improve your mood while also providing them with the necessary physical activity. Moreover, they can also play for hours with their toys, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want your attention. In fact, even during solo play, they’re always ready for you to play and entertain them.

They Shower Us With Unconditional Love

Most pets show us love when they’re in the mood for it. However, with dogs, it’s a bit different. No matter what you’re going through in life, a friend dog will always shower you with unconditional love. They don’t even need words to express it, as their actions speak for their ever-increasing love. Whether you feed them expensive food or buy them costly toys, it’s not going to make them a difference in their love for you. They will love you just the same, even if you don’t give them the best of everything.

They Are Smart

What’s better than having a furry friend who loves you unconditionally and is also intelligent? Nothing, in our opinion. Dogs are known to have sharp memory and intelligence, which is why they make great companions for hiking, hunting, and other challenging trips. Not only this, they are easy to train since they can remember your commands, making it easy for you to take them anywhere. Moreover, they will remember everyone who ever hurt you or caused you distress, so there’s no chance of them returning into your life as long you have your canine by your side.

They Can Detect Mood Changes

Having dogs as friends means you have a personal therapist by your side forever. They can easily detect mood changes, especially if you’re having a bad day. If they see you sulking in a corner or bed all day, they will stay by your side and will never leave you alone with your thoughts. Though they may not offer you comforting words, they will distract you with their cute gimmicks and constant need for attention, scratches, and walks.

They Can Detect Health Changes Too

Dogs have sharp senses. One of these senses is their highly sensitive olfactory system that can detect changes in your health. Although cats have been reported to sense health problems, some scientific studies have warranted a dog’s ability to detect this efficiently. They do this by sniffing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) that changes when we have an underlying health problem. Therefore, man’s best friend may help you save your life or others around you. Specifically, dogs can detect cancer and diabetes in their early stages.

They Can Help You Make Friends

Although this is true for most pets, dogs are great when it comes to being people-friendly. You may find your friend circle expanding thanks to your canine. It may be because you walk your dog regularly at a park when your furry friend has made friends with other humans and their dogs. Or you may have struck up a conversation with a fellow dog parent at a vet. Whatever the reason, your dog may be responsible for helping you get over your shyness when it comes to making connections and forging friendships.

They Can Improve Our Emotions

As mentioned above, dogs can detect moods and emotions. But they can also help us improve and regulate them. Playing with your canine can result be an effective way to hack your feel-good hormones such as dopamine and endorphins. Moreover, dogs can help alleviate mental health issues like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and anxiety. You can train some dogs to remind their owners to take their medication on time. Thus, getting a furry friend may be the deal for you when it comes to feeling great about yourself.

They Provide Warmth

Dogs have long been known as animals that provide warmth due to their thick fur coat. As your pet, they can be great snugglers, especially during the winter season. You can always count on them for a cozy hug, making you feel warm and snug. Therefore, if you’re looking for a pet that you can count on for warmth, hugs, and snuggles, then having a dog as your choice of pet is a great idea.

They Protect Fiercely

Finally, one of the reasons why dogs have the edge over all other pets is because of their protective instinct. This quality comes naturally to them. However, you can hone their protective nature with proper training. But if you need a friend and protector, your furry friend can do just the job. Not only this, some dog breeds love children and can protect them from danger or alert you.

The Bottom Line

If you’re a dog parent, then you know these qualities are just the tip of the iceberg. Having a dog as a pet reveals more about them as friends, companions, and protectors. Perhaps, this is why those with pet dogs are happier and cheerful as they have a furry friend by their side, through thick and thin.

by Bobby J Davidson

We are in business to provide great products for the outdoorsy hikers, campers and their dogs; and to help clean our parks, rivers and oceans for a better planet earth for hikers and their dogs.

Parks Clean

Parks are high-traffic areas in most cities. This means that trash is bound to show up in and around your park and playground.

When discussing ways your family can help clean your local park, don’t overlook a literal cleanup! Picking up trash will make a huge difference in the appearance and vibe of your park. A clean area will encourage others to keep the park pristine. When picking up trash and debris, make sure to wear gloves to protect yourself, and put trash in appropriate receptacles or lawn bags. You can also contact your local trash company to schedule a pickup when you are finished.

Rivers Clean

The storm drain on your street collects the water from your roof, driveway, and sidewalk and funnels it directly in your local lake or river. Nutrients from grass and leaves, pet waste, and fertilizers “enrich” our lakes and streams — feeding algae blooms and harming fish. Chemicals from washing your car in the drive and household chemical spills add up, taking a nasty toll on our favorite swimming areas and fishing spots. Soil can also be picked up by runoff, reducing the clarity of water and hurting fish.

So as you prepare your lawn and garden, here are a few helpful tips to keep our lakes and rivers beautiful and safe for all of us.

Use mulch and vegetation to keep soil from washing away.
Sweep or rake grass and leaves away from street curbs.
Mulch and compost grass clippings and leaves.
Keep paved surfaces to a minimum.
Capture water runoff with a rain garden and rain barrels.
Wash your car on the grass, where the water will get filtered.
Keep chemicals away from storm drains.
Collect your pet’s waste.
Aim your rain-gutter downspouts onto grass.

Beaches Clean (do it for the ocean)

In 2007, the United States Senate and House of Representatives passed the National Clean Beaches Week Resolution to recognize the value of beaches to the American way of life and the important contributions of beaches to the economy, recreation, and natural environment of the United States.

Clean Beaches Week, celebrated annually July 1-7, offers the perfect opportunity to encourage stewardship and volunteerism along our coastlines. But where do you even begin? Follow these tips to get started.

Identify a clean-up site. Choose a place that needs some TLC, making sure that volunteers can safely access the site. Get permission, if needed, for your clean-up event, perhaps from the local parks agency.
Choose a site coordinator. (That might be you!) A beach clean-up takes a lot of work and needs an organized person to keep everything on track before, during, and after the event.
Visit the site in advance. The coordinator will need to know where to set up a volunteer check-in station, where to leave trash and recyclables, and what area(s) volunteers will clean.
Gather supplies. Depending on your location, you’ll need supplies such as trash bags, a first aid kit, hand sanitizer, wipes, and large coolers of water. You should also provide (or ask volunteers to bring) items such as reusable work/garden gloves, reusable water bottles, sunscreen, and bug spray.
Plan how to handle the recyclables. Reach out to recyclers in your area (and perhaps your community’s solid waste departments) to make arrangements for accepting any glass, plastic, and aluminum that you collect.
Line up event partners. Contact local businesses for donations of drinks, food, and supplies. Ask a local solid waste hauler to donate their services for trash removal.
Plan for handling hazardous waste. Determine how you’ll dispose of any medical and sewage waste you might find. One solution: A wide-mouth container with a tight-fitting lid, such as an empty laundry detergent bottle. Clearly label that it contains hazardous waste.
Get volunteers to help. Recruit friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors. Create an event on Facebook and ask volunteers to sign up online. This will give you an idea of how many people to expect and will help communicate event details.
Stay safe. Be prepared for a variety of health emergencies, from minor cuts and scrapes to heat stroke.
Take photos! Post pics online to share the success of your event and recognize volunteers for their hard work.