Small Dog, Big Heart- What I've Learned From My Dog #PedigreeGives

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Momma Told Me: Size means nothing.


It's no secret my childhood was filled with wayward animals. Momma would take in the sick animals from the street and the shelter and give them the only thing left for a human to give; a comfortable home and love. Pets never stayed long. Some might say that's harmful in the grander scheme of a childhood- it certainly did stand out to me. But the takeaway, for me, was that all animals deserved love and a home; not just the kittens and the specialty breeds.

At the same time, I've always been a sensible woman.

That's good because, without my senses and a strong amount of personal restraint, I could have easily become a Crazy Cat Lady. Instead, I was driven to find ways to love and help; even when I was renting a room in a stranger's home with no home to give a pet. That's how I learned about the volunteer opportunities at the county shelter. I highly encourage anyone who cannot open their home to an animal in need, yet feels compelled to connect and benefit from a bond with animals, to seek out a similar opportunity. Our local shelter requires a commitment of just 6 hours a month; scheduled on your own time, working with the types of animals you feel most comfortable.

Few people know that you can walk into a shelter and volunteer your time with no previous experience, and such little obligation. Yes, you will have to go through a mandatory orientation of basic procedures and safety- but it absolutely work it for the return you will feel from helping like-minded people and animals in need!

Worried you wouldn't be able to handle the environment?

I was antsy about being around animals that were primarily kept caged, it's not ideal for any animal to be housed at a shelter. However, I quickly realized that my job, as a volunteer, was primarily to interact with and engage the wayward animals. That's right, I spent most of my time taking the dog's out to the dog run for walks, offering a warm lap to a nervous cat, and holding kennel-mates while the kennel's were cleaned. Even better, my interactions with these animals provided direct insight into their unique personalities that later went on 'sell sheets' to help prospective families find the right pet!

Have a full home and cant quite dedicate the time to help out on site at a shelter? Most shelter's also survive solely on the material donations made by everyday citizens and generous pet companies. Some of the most needed supplies include, blankets, unwanted newspaper, old kennels, and leashes. I bet you didn't know you could take your unused newspapers and drop them off at the local shelter, did you? But even more importantly you can help a dog in need right now just by shopping for your own pet's favorite PEDIGREE® treats and food at Sam's Club in the month of October. Buy any PEDIGREE® product such as PEDIGREE® Adult Dry Dog Food (55lb bag,) PEDIGREE® DENTASTIX® dog treats, or PEDIGREE® Choice Cuts Dog Food at Sam's Club this October and PEDIGREE® will donate a bowl of food to a dog in need!

Since October is National Adopt A Shelter Dog Month, we always do something a little extra special (on top of our regular shelter visits) to help out. This year we continued our tradition of donating PEDIGREE® dog food by dropping off a 55lb PEDIGREE® Adult Dry Dog Food bag and PEDIGREE® Choice Cuts Wet Food multi-pack we'd picked up while re-stocking Nora's PEDIGREE® Small Breed Dry Dog Food. I'm especially excited to point out that our local county shelter is proudly displaying their 'No Kill' banner for a successful year without having to put a single animal down, due to over-crowding, in 2014. This is an immense goal realized for our county and the shelter and I couldn't be prouder.

Of course this wouldn't be a fair discussion without talking about the tiny dog that helps my heart to continue on growing, Nora. It may be hard to believe, but I was never a 'small dog' kind of girl. In fact, in college my boyfriend had the most lovable 62lb red pit bull and there was a time I couldn't imagine not falling asleep with him nestle between my legs. But this dog, people- let me tell you. I have yet to meet a person that was not shortly won over by the enthusiasm this dog carries for life itself.

When I was sitting down to write this post I contemplated how I would stage the photos, and what imagery I would use. It's no secret I take hundreds of photos of my fur-kids daily- and Nora is quite photogenic. But, with this month being all about adoption, and pets in need of homes, I was driven to look deeper into the individual that is my dog. Sure we've made dog furniture and shared D.I.Y. costumes and training tips, and we'll continue to- but these candid snapshots, they're Nora. Yes, these photos, they sum up my 4 and a half pound ball of fluff. Not only does she greet each and every day as a new, magical, opportunity, she NEVER stops smiling. It is physically impossible to look at this dog and maintain a bad mood- she is my leveler, folks.

And every morning and evening when I pick up her food dish her floppy ears perk up, her nubby tail wags, and she spins in circles until I finish scooping her PEDIGREE® and put the bowl down. Can you imagine how much richer our life would be if we could look at the world through her eyes for just one day? If we could take a single meal and turn it into an occasion worthy of flips and dancing? Yes, it's just that sentiment, and that tiny dog, which remind me just how grateful I am to have her n my life- and just how much every pet, and pet-to-be, truly has to give.

I could write a thousand more words reminding you how special Nora (and let's not forget Truffles) really is, but the truth is, if you've ever had a pet, you already know. Help give back to 'pets to be' this month when you purchase any PEDIGREE® product at Sam's Club, and keep the good vibes going when you upload a photo of the dog you love to Twitter with the hashtag #LaterShelter- PEDIGREE® will donate yet another bowl of food to a dog in need! I often joke that Nora is one of my 'co-workers,' since she appears so often here on the blog, and is constantly at my side. The truth is, I'm the one working for her. If I can learn to be just 1/10th as grateful, accepting, and brave in my life as she lives hers, then I will always remain in her debt. Does your dog, or a dog you've previously parented, have unique traits that make them stand out? If so, we'd love to hear all about what makes your canine friend special!

What Daughter Says: When it comes to pets, all shapes, sizes and breeds can move mountains in the world of a pet parent. Every pet deserves a home, and a fully belly.

October Is National Healthy Lung Month: Are You Armed With Knowledge?

Momma Told Me: Knowledge Fuels Prevention

If you've ever been to the doctor with a bad cough or some sort of lung pressure/pneumonia issues you've likely been asked if anyone in your family worked construction or mining, or if you've been exposed to asbestos. The average person wouldn't think twice about this question, and perhaps even laugh at the absurdity of a modern housewife, mother, businesswoman, etc being exposed to asbestos. Many of us would also be inclined to ask more, fairly ignorant on the issue ourselves. Most of us know asbestos is bad, true, but do we really understand the why and how of it?

When I was a tween my family moved from our condo into a newly manufactured home. One of the things Momma had been looking forward to most, as a survivor or Stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma (cancer) was the relief of enjoying an air conditioned environment. During her fight with cancer Momma's immune system, and respiratory system had taken quite a hit, and having such a modern comfort greatly increased her comfort level.

Within a week of moving in, while dusting her new home, Momma began to notice a sparkly residue on some of the higher surfaces in our house. Alarmed, she sent my father up into the rafters immediately to inspect the ducts. As it turns out, an entire segment of our air ducts had not been connected and some of the insulating materials of our attic and walls were exposed to our air system! Crawling around in the attic and crawl spaces isn't something most new home buyers think to do when approving their new home.

As it turns out, as a modern American, this was not my only potential run-in with asbestos- 2 years back I decided to search my old appliances for recalls on a whim. I'd inherited some staples, such as toaster ovens and hair dryers from my parent's newlywed days. I was shocked to learn the name brand hairdryer I was still using, that day, had been recalled by the company for 'potential use of asbestos' in insulating elements.

Today, asbestos is still NOT banned in the United States, and can still be found in some buildings and consumer products in use today. These products and buildings were most often made in, or prior to, the 1970's, though global regulations may impact products being made today and moving in and out of the country, as well. Exposure to asbestos is currently the only known cause of the aggressive form of cancer known as mesothelioma, and has impacted the lives of those not in industries immediately handling products containing it.

If you suspect exposure to asbestos inform your physician so they can monitor your lungs and health accordingly. The best prevention to this form of lung cancer is knowledge- ensure you and your family are as safe as possible from asbestos and other lung contaminants by keeping up with product recalls, from the Consumer Product Safety Commission or Recalls.gov, and performing annual home inspections. October is National Healthy Lung Month, learn more about lung health and mesothelioma prevention and detection at www.mesothelioma.com. While the story above is my own, I would like to thank the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance for providing some of the facts used in this content and the info-graphic, I created, above.

Do you know someone impacted by mesothelioma? Have you ever discovered a product that potentially used asbestos?

What Daughter Says: October is National Healthy Lung Month, arm yourself with the facts and help fight lung cancer of every kind!