“BE THE PERSON YOUR DOG THINKS YOU ARE” 

November means putting away scary Halloween decorations and transitioning into the spirit of giving. Year round, our dogs give us so much love and provide us with numerous health benefits. Owning a dog has proven to reduce cholesterol and lower blood pressure. They help improve our social life. It’s said that 40 percent of dog parents make friends more easily because we tend to interact with other owners while we’re out walking them. Speaking of walking, our canine companions also keep us fit and help us lose weight. We view walking our dogs as a responsibility rather than exercise. This responsibility forces us to into physical activity for 10-30 minutes at a time, multiple times a day. The list of benefits our dogs give us is endless.

Here are a few ideas for giving back on behalf of your dog this month…

1. Keep your dog clean and healthy. Stay on top of their care. Routine maintenance is critical to the overall wellness of every dog. Whether they just need the essentials (bathing, ear cleaning, nail clipping, dental care) or extra services like brush-outs or a haircut to prevent matting — make sure you stay on schedule to keep them clean, comfortable and healthy!

2. Make a food donation. Scenthound is doing a food drive with Peggy Adams Animal Shelter all through November. Peggy’s Pantry helps families feed their pets and refer low-cost vet care. Bring a dog food donation to any Scenthound location during November and receive a free facial scrub for your pup.

3. Volunteer your time. There are always opportunities to volunteer within the dog community, but this month Scenthound will be at Bark for Life on November 16. This event celebrates any dog who is a cancer survivor or any owner’s who’ve beat cancer with the help for their furry friend.

4. Clean up your neighborhood. This month let’s make a goal of collecting at least 3 items of trash while we’re out walking our dogs. Not only will you be helping the environment and protecting other animals that could get injured, but you’ll have a nice clean neighborhood to enjoy on your long walks with your dog.

5. Spread the word! The easiest way to help any cause is simply sharing it with others. You may not have time or be able to engage in all of the activities listed above, but you can always tell your friends or post on social media about different causes or fundraisers on behalf of our furry family.