Tails from the trail and tips on training your human

As dog owners, we know your dog is probably your best friend in the whole wide world. Always there to celebrate your joys, and more than ready to lend emotional support when you need it most. Yes, they have magical powers that let them know when you’re having a bad day.

Studies have shown that simply petting a dog, regardless of whether or not you’re a dog owner, is known to have profound effects on people. Among them, the most noticeable are that the heart rate slows down, muscles become relaxed, blood pressure lowers, and breathing becomes regular.

Let’s take a look at some of the ways in which your dog is going above and beyond to really earn that “man’s best friend” title.

Dogs are motivators

While all pets generally bring routine into people’s lives, dogs are especially great at this. All their whimpering, pleading with you to take out for a walk is not just great for them, but highly recommended for you too.

If your dog is never one to turn down an offer to go out, you should thank them. We don’t have to tell you that going out and getting some fresh air is beneficial in a number of ways. Even on the days when you’re tired, your dog can prove to be the fitness coach who simply doesn’t give up on you. Yes, we’re referring to all the time they yank at your pant leg.

They offer the best emotional support

In case you were looking for more reasons to love dogs, they’re extremely supportive in times of distress. Therapy programs that feature dogs have not only brought about amazing results, but they have now attained gold status when it comes to therapy. Individuals suffering on the mental health front also have the option of bringing home emotional support dogs.

They help reduce stress

As mentioned above, petting and even playing with dogs goes a long way to help you get rid of those pesky stress hormones. For those who have anxiety, it would be especially helpful to have positive dog energy surround them so they don’t find themselves constantly bogged down with negative feelings.

Dopamine and serotonin are two hormones that bring a lot of calm. Interacting with dogs elevates the levels of these hormones, making us feel happy, relaxed, and care-free. Oxytocin is released in the body, which is also associated with doing away with feelings of stress. Additionally, being around dogs is instrumental in bringing down levels of cortisol, which is the hormone that causes stress.

Dogs are great for overall well-being

Who doesn’t want a well-rounded life? Dogs have proven time and again that they are the perfect companions for people looking to have structure and balance in their lives.

Compared to non-owners, dog owners are physically fit, outdoorsy, more social and free-spirited. They even have more confidence and are far less likely to be lonely.

Apart from the aforementioned, because dogs are pets at the end of the day, they require care and attention. Owing to this, dog owners are also able to rake in the benefits of being caretakers. The responsibility of looking after someone else gives meaning to life.

They embrace mindfulness

Simply put, mindfulness is to live in the present moment. It is to let go of anything and everything that is in the past or future. The idea is to be grateful for the moment at hand, and to relieve the mind of unnecessary burdens. Because it is aided by deep breathing, mindfulness also helps energy flow better within the body.

Animals, especially pet dogs are the poster children for this concept. Think about it…these canines are always happy, always joyful. All they want is for you to be happy with them, and enjoy life by simply being. They couldn’t care less about what’s going on in the world, and truly know how to carpe diem!

Of course, dogs don’t have to go in to work or pay the bills, but the takeaway here is that every so often, we all need to disconnect from our respective realities and remind ourselves just how beautiful life can be without the worries of this world.

Dogs are support systems for children with autism, ADHD

Autism

Autism is a developmental condition which affects a child’s speech and body language, in addition to hampering their ability to be social.

They are also extremely sensitive to textures, smells, and sounds. Autistic children find solace in the familiar, and are completely thrown off when introduced to changes in routine, for instance.

Dogs have been found to especially help a lot of children overcome their apprehensions in social settings.

ADHD

Neither autism nor ADHD are conditions that are not easy to live with. Getting a canine companion for a child diagnosed with ADHD can help regulate their energy levels significantly.

The child will end up following the same routine as their beloved pet, and partake in activities such as taking them for a walk, and bathing and feeding them. Not only will the child learn the meaning of responsibility, their energy will be utilized productively when they engage with their feisty pet dog.

Parents of children who have ADHD find it challenging to contain their bursts of energy, and want them to be able to concentrate more. The physical activity that comes with bringing a dog home will be especially useful in getting more oxygen to the brain, which plays a great role in doing so.

Suffice to say, dogs are magical creatures and we don’t deserve them. They help us in so many ways, it would be easy to lose count. For now, however, marvel at the reasons mentioned above, and consider adopting a mutt and giving them a loving home. You won’t be sorry!

by Maria A 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.