4 minute read
HIKING WITH YOUR PUP
SNIFF ALL THE THINGS. SNIFF ALL THE THINGS.
Spring is here and as the winter chill leaves the air, that’s the thought on every dog’s mind. Nature is medicine, and while your dog may not suffer from the same stressors as you (traffic, mortgage payments, and a less than wonderful boss), Fido has stress too. Being indoors can wreak havoc on his physical, emotional, and mental well-being. It’s up to you as doggy parent to provide fresh air and exercise to keep him happy and healthy.
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With such beautiful trails here in Las Vegas, there’s no better way to give your pup the outing they deserve, than a hike out in nature. • By Sheryl Green
WHY DOGS NEED TO HIKE
There are a number of reasons why you should leash up your four-legged best friend and head out for a hike.
A slim dog is a health dog. While a roly-poly pooch may look cute, pet obesity is dangerous for your furry family member. Extra weight can impact your dog’s joints and skeletal system, causing osteoarthritis and intervertebral disc disease, and can cause diabetes, heart failure, and many other weight-related conditions. Since pets spend most of their day lounging on the couch, a good hike can strengthen your pup and help them stay healthier and live longer.
Your home stinks. Don’t take that wrong. You may keep your house fresh and clean, but there are a variety of toxins released from your carpets, upholstery, and the cleaning products you use, that can cause breathing problems for your fur baby. Having plenty of (pet-safe) plants in your home can help, but getting your dog outside for a regular hike, will give them the opportunity to breathe easy.
Your dog doesn’t watch Netflix. Sure, you love to binge on Downtown Abby, but your pup is likely sleeping away the day. He is bored and needs stimulation that can best be found running around in nature, sniffing all the things (and then peeing on them), and meeting new canine friends along the way.
Your dog is an animal and he was meant to spend time in nature. The Earth has a magnetic current that does a body good (yours too) and dogs need time to roll around in the grass or dirt to clear the impact of the electromagnetic fields (EMFs) they are exposed to being in the house all day.
Sheryl Green is an author, writing coach, and passionate animal advocate. Find her at www.unleashedcommunications.com.
PREPPING FOR YOUR HIKE
While hiking is a beautiful way to spend the day, and has countless health benefits for both your dog and you, there are some dangers associated with the great outdoors. Before you plan your first excursion, there are a few tasks to take care of.
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Microchip your pup and pick out a snug collar with ID tags. Why do you need both? Because collars can get snagged and leave your dog running around in his birthday suit. If your pooch is ever lost, a microchip will ensure that if found, he’ll find his way home to you.
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Know the terrain. If you’ll be enjoying a hike on a rough surface, you may want to invest in some dog booties to protect Fido’s paw pads.
Know the potential threats. Will you be hiking in areas with rattlesnakes or other wildlife that could potentially harm your dog? Is there poisonous flora you need to keep them away?
Your pup will love spending time in nature. He’ll enjoy the sights, the smells, the activity, and most importantly… his time spent with you.
Celebrating Our 30TH Anniversary
30 YEARS AND THOUSANDS OF LIVES SAVED WITH YOUR SUPPORT!!
It is because of our supporters that the Las Vegas Valley Humane Society has been able to provide aid to sick, injured, and abandoned animals, spay and neuter both feral community cats and owned animals, and assist animals in need. Without your generosity in the form of donations, bequeaths, grants, and support for our various fundraising efforts, we would not be able to have such a far-reaching impact.
Love Animals? Join Our Team!
Las Vegas Valley Humane Society has two opportunities to help in our mission to rescue sick, injured, and homeless animals in Southern Nevada.
LVVHS is expanding its Board of Directors as the organization celebrates its 30th anniversary serving the Las Vegas community and seeks leadership to help take the organization into its fourth decade. An Operations Manager is also being hired as part of the goal to manage the organization’s programs to be sure they operate effectively and efficiently to maximize results and accomplish goals.
Anyone interested in serving on the board or learning more about the operations manager position, please visit Humane Network’s website (https://www.humanenetwork.org/lvvhs) to download information. The deadline for the operations manager is March 15, 2022.
