I’ve even heard that if your dog is bitten and gets a red welt, the use of calamine lotion on the spot helps the itching. However, if ingested, the lotion can be toxic so if it’s in an out-of-the-way spot or you can figure out how to put a bandage on it, I guess it’s ok.  I also assume, ingestion quantities depend on the quantity and size of the dog.  ALWAYS confirm with a vet or animal specialist before deciding to put something on or give your dog something you think might be harmless as it may not be.

If you see bugs swarming around the dogs, bring them inside!  Also, make sure there is no standing water around your property which gives the buggers a breeding ground.  I often forget to empty out flower pots or saucers that accumulate water.  A definite NO NO!   If you have a water fountain or pond, ensure that there is circulating water and if you have birdbaths, refresh the water frequently.

At Brandy and Val, LLC our mission is “to do good where good is needed.”  We hope that the thoughts and ideas we share with you on the blog are helpful and welcome comments and tips from our readers.  In addition, it is through the sales of Brandy and Val books and toys that we hope to improve the lives of animals in shelters and sanctuaries.

Q:  ARE BRANDY AND VAL’S TOYS MADE FROM RECYCLABLE MATERIALS?

A:  I  have to admit that only in the past year have I been more conscious of purchasing toys made from recycled materials or, better yet, making up my own toys from things that I otherwise would have discarded (worn socks filled with tightly packed newspaper, for example or simply putting toys in the washing machine that I otherwise would have thought too dirty to keep.  A surprising number of these toys actually came through the wash EXTREMELY well.)    Actually,  I think I’m doing a pretty good job on this front.  Since I am not product endorsing here, I will say that a quick search of “green pet toys” brings up a huge assortment.  Happy hunting!  I know the local pet shops in my area are increasing their inventory of GREEN toys.  Since I am also a big fan of supporting local stores, if your local pet store doesn’t offer what you’re looking for, ask for it!

Q:  ARE BRANDY AND VAL’S FOOD MADE FROM ORGANIC AND/OR NATURAL INGREDIENTS THAT DON’T USE CHEMICALS THAT HARM THE ENVIRONMENT?

A:  Again, I think I am doing pretty well on this front although I kind of backed into it.  Brandy and Val, to be frank, were having “gas” issues post-dinner and we decided a food change needed to be in the works.  Since Val, the Katrina survivor, also has some tummy issues, dating from his days roaming the streets, we spent several months and several trial and errors until we found a food that worked.  Not only was the food organic and “all natural” with no preservatives, we received some extremely great added benefits.  Both Brandy and Val lost some weight since there were no fillers in the food and, because of that, the poop load also decreased.  Yippee, especially since we are good neighbors and diligent “picker uppers” if you get what I mean.  Again, a brief search brought up lots of organic and natural pet foods available on the market.

Q:  ARE BRANDY AND VAL’S FOODS OR OTHER PRODUCTS MADE FROM SUSTAINABLE OR LOCAL SOURCES THAT MINIMIZE THE DEPLETION OF OUR EARTH’S NATURAL RESOURCES?

A:  I must say that I really don’t know how sustainable the food is but I do know it’s not local.  I think that for most, finding locally sourced pet food would be extremely difficult although I do know that one of the meat vendors at my local farmer’s market (Chicago’s Green City Market which, by the way, is one of the BEST sustainable farmers’ markets in the Country) is now offering RAW pet food for purchase.  Sorry, I’m not there yet.  It was a bit gross looking although I can imagine Brandy and Val really finding it appealing.  As for the other stuff Brandy and Val uses, no, most of the toys, collars, etc. are not locally produced, unfortunately.  I’m a bit stumped on how to overcome that hurdle.  Since I am also a potter, I can contribute food and water bowls for them which would cut down on any plastic bowls used but I currently used metal ones for them.  SIGH.

Q: IF I CAN BUY ONE DURABLE TOY THAT LAST’S A MONTH, ISN’T IT BETTER TO BUY THAT RATHER THAN 30 LESS DURABLE TOYS?

A:  Well of course it is.  But, it’s much more fun to have 30 toys in the bin than 1.  Unless I can come up with 30 ingenious toys to make, I’ll continue to fail miserably on this front.  SUGGESTIONS???????

If you don’t know already, it is our mission at Brandy and Val, LLC to “do good where good is needed.”  It is through our blog, the books and toys we sell and the pet therapy programs that we participate in that we hope to benefit the lives of others, especially animals and children.  Please visit our website for more details on how we make a difference.

We welcome your comments and suggestions on how you and your pet lead GREEN lives.

….ADOPT A DOG.

If you want someone always willing to go out, at any hour for as long and wherever you want,

….. ADOPT A DOG.

If you want someone who will never touch the remote, doesn’t care about football, and can sit next to you as you watch romantic movies

….. ADOPT A DOG.

If you want someone who is content to get on your bed just to warm your feet and whom you can push off if he snores,

……ADOPT A DOG.

If you want someone who never criticizes what you do, doesn’t care if you’re pretty or ugly, fat or thin, young or old, who acts as if every word you say is especially worthy of listening to, and loves you unconditionally, perpetually,

….ADOPT A DOG.

BUT, on the other hand, if you want someone who will never come when you call, ignores you totally when you come home, leaves hair all over the place, walks oall over you, runs around all night and only comes home to eat and sleep, and acts as if your entire existence is solely to ensure his or her happiness,

….ADOPT A CAT.

As a result, animal shelters, animal welfare agencies, the pet-store mega-chain, Petco, church groups and others are are establishing pet food banks to assist such families and individuals confronting this situation.  And, they are are stepping up to the plate big time!   In Berlin, Germany, a soup kitchen called Animal Board has even been established to cater to the dogs of the homeless and unemployed.

In the United States, the agencies getting on board are growing rapidly by the day.   At present, there is no national network coordinating pet food assistance programs.  However, many cities and towns are now offering pet food assistance programs and volunteers are always welcome!   For those in need or for those wishing to lend a hand, SaveOurPetsFoodbank.org lists several locations and organizations in about 2 dozen states that offer pet food assistance programs.  The Rescue BankSM in Houston is that city’s first food bank for dogs and for some reason(!) the blog FamilyWorks Seattle includes pet food bank info for New York and Oregon.  A special “GIVING” section in the November 12 edition of the New York Times devoted an article to this issue, titled: “A Patchwork of Food Assistance for Pets.” Individuals and pet-food distributors alike are contributing to help make things happen.  Happy people, Happy Pets, Happy Holidays!